What's With LED Grow Lights

[Industrial Toys]

I would like to start a few plants for the garden as our season is so short.

Does anybody use the new LED grow lights? Or is it best to stay with GrowLux (or equiv) 4' tubes. Or Metal halide.

Growing stuff is already expensive compared to buying produce in season, so I don't really want to add significantly to our already crazy hydro bill.

Thanks

 

[kelving884]

I live off the grid so power consumption is a big deal for me. Because of that I bought high end LED grow lights, (about $900 worth). They work great, the starter plants really took off. However, that said, I buy all kinds of LED lighting and I think LED grow lights are TERRIBLY over priced.

If it wasn't for the power savings I'd never pay that much for LED lights.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have been putting off buying LED lights because I don't trust them. My X-Mas lights and Hampton Bay LED garden lights all went dim and died!

 

[kelving884]

I have been putting off buying LED lights because I don't trust them. My X-Mas lights and Hampton Bay LED garden lights all went dim and died!

I'm not familiar with those brands but it's been my experience that almost all LED failures have to do with something other than the LED, (power supply, soldering, etc.). I think there are only a few places that actually manufacturer the LEDs themselves. So when the "LED assemblers" go cheap it is the assembly quality that suffers.

I gave up buying cheap, hence $900 grow lights. When I was looking for LED grow lights all I found was cheap and, (in my opinion) way over priced. So I bit the bullet and payed up. If I wasn't off the grid I never would have payed that much.

 

[Looking4new]

I have LED grow lights and the hydro bill isn't that bad.My grow lights are on 13 hours a day from 9 A.M. to 10 P.M.725kwh/month for the whole house.
You must make sure that the unit that holds the LED tube will handle them. Whomever sells them should be able to advise you.

I got them at Home Despot & Home Hardware.

 

[Industrial Toys]

So, it's a four foot tube? How much? Any idea what the power usage may be compared to a conventional four foot grow light tube?

I don't understand how an LED makes UV light.

 

[Looking4new]

So, it's a four foot tube? How much? Any idea what the power usage may be compared to a conventional four foot grow light tube?

I don't understand how an LED makes UV light.

Yup, 4' tube. Co$t me $32.oo + tax for the fixtures and $8.oo ea for the tubes four years ago. I am still working on the original tubes. The LEDs are a full spectrum light, the closest thing you will get to white light without spending a small fortune.
It is my understanding that 'grow lights' are hydro hogs. These LEDs are not and they do work. I am growing hot peppers indoors.