Are Those LED's any good?

Den Toxin

Member
Thanks mate, And yeah I red a million comments and some ppl claims that lights aren't a good choice, some ppl saying that new upgraded 5w chips are actually way better that the version of 3w chips. But I guess I'll check the quality practically, like tomorrow lol, if they don't work I'll return them I guess, and I hope it will be enough light for growing 2-3 plants...
 

Den Toxin

Member
I ordered the older version of Mars Hydro, they actually white panels and you can see them on official mars hydro web under 'old versions LED growing light'. I hope they will work, otherwise I' will return them
 

dandyrandy

Well-Known Member
I started 4 years ago with 3 300 w marshydro. I added 1 more later for a total of 4 in a an area 40" x46". I grew around 10 to 12 zips. Now using cobs I get 24 zips. They work but there are better.
 

Abiqua

Well-Known Member
The only real problem with Mars is low efficiency [lower than an HPS] and the ridiculous spectrums lacking some yellow and really just a more broad spectrum, although that is 3rdary, photon output. photon output photon output....The efficacy of LED efficiency seems to be tracking....the higher you go, the more photon output from each watt and less going to heat.

Mars have somewhere between 20-25% efficiency on a good day....

So Mars 600w is actually a 300w? 450watt? draw from the wall.........

300 * .25 = 75 Par Watts /225 Watts Heat
450 * .25 = 100 Par Watts /350 Heat
...................................................
2 examples for comparison.....

400w HPS 35% efficient

400*.35 = 140 Par Watts [minus the 360 Arc radius and reflector penalty - 10%ish]

[It will take 50 more watts of the [450] of actual wattage from the Mars to equal the light output of the 400w HPS....

THat means the 450 watt Mars and the 400 watt HPS are about equal to the plant and the light available to be received.....BUT not to the Power company!!!!!!!!!!

Another example.....
I use 122 watts equalling 53 Par Watts @ 44% efficiency.....on Cree CXA3070/Bridgelux Vero29 Diodes.....

If I actualy used lets say 3x the amount of 112 watts = 336 watt = 159 PAR watts /176 watts of Heat.....

If the Mars was pulling 300 watts at the plug, I would be effectively be achieving Double the amount of Plant usable light while using less than 5% more wattage....not bad for Home Built....
 

Den Toxin

Member
Well, I knew that I won't get a 'power plant with critical mass elements', I mean it said on eBay, that it's perfect for a small closet size grow, not a farm lol. Those true 300watt of led are ideal for my 3 plants based on my other aspects of calculation. Each plant is about foot square, cannabis require 25 true watts per sq. foot. Penetration of the light is obviously better than when I used CFL lamps. So I guess I'm kinda happy with a purchase, I wanted a middle grade LED panel for optimal price and I got it. Also Thank you guys for a replies and a lot of source of information, I got what I expected =)))
 

dandyrandy

Well-Known Member
Well, I knew that I won't get a 'power plant with critical mass elements', I mean it said on eBay, that it's perfect for a small closet size grow, not a farm lol. Those true 300watt of led are ideal for my 3 plants based on my other aspects of calculation. Each plant is about foot square, cannabis require 25 true watts per sq. foot. Penetration of the light is obviously better than when I used CFL lamps. So I guess I'm kinda happy with a purchase, I wanted a middle grade LED panel for optimal price and I got it. Also Thank you guys for a replies and a lot of source of information, I got what I expected =)))
I've grown great weed with the 300's.
 

dandyrandy

Well-Known Member
Ive grown very nice bud with mars 900.

Ive switched to cobs as well.More dense nugs w better power and flavor.

But mars isnt the worst starter light. Also Sara of Mars is decent about taking care of issues. She posts on riu.
She is helpful. I've spoke with her. But is she hot?
 

Tim Fox

Well-Known Member
I must confess I just removed my marshydro 300 from my grow box and put the mars panel back in its shipping box for storage, my time with mars has come to an end
 
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