I'm not impressed with the efficiency and cost of the conversion bulbs, especially the ones that don't bypass the ballast, a big waste of power. For the cost of conversion bulbs, you can build or by something better. Look at the lumen per watt and lumen per dollar, it's not so good. I look at it this way, what part of a T5 fixture is worth reusing? I'd keep the power cord and switch, and reuse or recycle the steel.
Best T5 HO conversion options? Worth considering at all?
- Thread starter NewGrower2011
- Start date
Xcoregamerskillz
Well-Known Member
Yeah, it might make a good frame for some strips.
"★Super Bright★--As bright as the dawn on the horizon, 100 Lm/W, this Efficiency of LED is amazing!"
100Lm/W is about the same as screw-in LED, Samsung and Bridgelux strips are around 175Lm/W.
http://ledgardener.com/diy-led-strip-build-designs-samsung-bridgelux/
Xcoregamerskillz
Well-Known Member
Yeah, if I don't do QBs I'm doing strips. I was just asking questions for the sake of gaining knowlege
They'll grow fine at around 3k-4k color temperature, they're just not real efficient. Probably better than a lot of blurples though. They certainly give a much better spread of light. And they are great in the shop when you're done growing with them. Try that with a blurple, lol
Xcoregamerskillz
Well-Known Member
True true. I'm trying to nail down some prices. I do t want to skimp on lighting. R2T has yet to get back to me on my inquiry for 288V2. Those strips look legit tho, if I can find out what diode is on them. Atreum has 288v2s for 75 with heatsink, and will take less if you buy through eBay, or so I've heard. Thinking I wanna go with the strips tho, 4 maybe 5 in a 4x4. Thoughts?
I prefer strips for their excellent light distribution. 44" strips really cover a 4x4. The number of strips needed depends on their wattage. 30 watts/square foot is good.
http://ledgardener.com/diy-led-strip-build-designs-samsung-bridgelux/
http://ledgardener.com/diy-led-strip-build-designs-samsung-bridgelux/
Xcoregamerskillz
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I have that bookmarked. Thanks though. I keep getting different numbers. So it's 30 watts per square foot at the wall for LED coverage?
Xcoregamerskillz
Well-Known Member
Any idea why everyone is using wagos on these? Are wire nuts too old fashioned?
Humple
Well-Known Member
That's the most often suggested for flowering. In veg you don't need that much.
Depending on the situation, I use wire nuts, Wago's, crimps, and solder etc. Wagos are convenient and reusable, but you can't put ten wires in a Wago, so a wire nut is cleaner and much more compact than three Wago's strung together.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Wagos are used simply because of their reusability factor.Depending on the situation, I use wire nuts, Wago's, crimps, and solder etc. Wagos are convenient and reusable, but you can't put ten wires in a Wago, so a wire nut is cleaner and much more compact than three Wago's strung together.
DIY since it started, especially in the early days, has always been a setback simply because people "can't" solder. So these make it very simple for people to connect wires together.
Xcoregamerskillz
Well-Known Member
A wire nuts does the same thing. I wonder if it's because wagos make it easier to make changes. I dunno. We basically never use those in the field.
churchhaze
Well-Known Member
T5 is nostalgic garbage.
churchhaze
Well-Known Member
Yes. Lever nuts for life.
Chip Green
Well-Known Member
Props to my old man, and his HAM radio technician days in the 1980's..... Been soldering since I was old enough to understand the meaning of the word, "HOT".....
Wire nuts, vs lever nuts is a draw. Whatever is closest, lying loose on the bench.
because german engineering > american engineering. easy as that.
Xcoregamerskillz
Well-Known Member
German shit is often over engineered
I had a Quantum Boy T8: 8 bulbs. You never know when they lose sufficient power to do what you want, so I switched to LED replacements from Transcend Lighting, who has merged with somebody, but the longevity of them v florescents is unmistakable
What I really liked is that I could run 2/4/6, or, all 8 AND I could swap tubes during flower