BlueB
Active Member
I found another site that said they can run on a T5 fixture with an adapter, but yeah it says the LED ballast is built into the bulb so you need to re-wire the fixture so that the power comes directly from the wall and not through the ballast. In other words, they do not run off the floro ballasts. Didn't think so. I'm sure it would be possible to wire your fixture up so that a few of the bulb slots are wired directly to the wall and the other slots are still wired to the floro ballast to run your T5 floros. At that point, you might as well get some retro kits and build your own fixture. The other problem with these LED tube lights is that they are only using 0.06w LED technology. That's pretty lame considering 1w, 3w and 5w single chip LEDs are already being used in the agricultural world. They would most likely run cool however, but not emit nearly as much light as a floro. Probably not even half the amount of light that floros do. The Kessil lights have a 2-year warranty, which doesn't say much. From the reviews I've read, if you get Kessil LEDs that work then they work really well, but if they are defective then I guess you just return them right? I figure it's worth a try anyway. I will measure the light output of both of the LEDs when they come and make sure they are putting out the same lumens. A year from now, I will check them again and make sure they are still putting out the same lumens. If not, then the manufacturer can send me another one or two for free!
The only reason I am going to try the Kessil lights is to add the much needed 660nm spectrum that is lacking with the floros. There is obviously no reason to get blue LEDs since the floros put out a healthy blue spectrum already. The Kessil I'm getting is the h150 Red, which only puts out 645-660nm spectrum. Hopefully I will be able to get the light to blend well.
http://blog.softwareadvice.com/articles/construction/are-led-fluorescent-tubes-ready-for-prime-time-1041920/
The only reason I am going to try the Kessil lights is to add the much needed 660nm spectrum that is lacking with the floros. There is obviously no reason to get blue LEDs since the floros put out a healthy blue spectrum already. The Kessil I'm getting is the h150 Red, which only puts out 645-660nm spectrum. Hopefully I will be able to get the light to blend well.
At $60 a piece for 12w, you might as well get a Kessil for $195 that puts out 36w. Then you don't have to buy any fixtures or do any wiring to make a spot for the par38 LED bulb.if you DO need a certain fixture, it's this one I guess:
http://stores.homestead.com/GreenPathGardenSupply2/-strse-764/AgroLED--LED-/Detail.bok
The price is comparable to the price for a 4-bulb T5 48" fixture... but the bulbs are of course 80 a piece, so it'd be pricey to fill up that fixture.
http://www.amazon.com/LED-FAR-660nm-Grow-Light/dp/B004D50MFQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_ol_2
Considering a couple of those in lieu of something like the Kessils... but I have no idea if it's quality...
http://blog.softwareadvice.com/articles/construction/are-led-fluorescent-tubes-ready-for-prime-time-1041920/