Grow lights, heaters etc, on a budget

Discussion in 'Propagation This Month' started by clueless1, Oct 5, 2012.

  1. mowgley

    mowgley Total Gardener

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    Looking at getting a couple of those LED panels @clueless1
    What area does each panel cover?
     
  2. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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    It doesn't cover a very wide area I'm afraid. The light from the LEDs is very focused, so it doesn't radiate over a very wide angle, meaning the area of coverage is little more than the size of the panel.
     
  3. mowgley

    mowgley Total Gardener

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    Would you say that you would need 1 LED panel per full sized seed tray or is that over excessive?
     
  4. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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    I'd say that sounds about right.
     
  5. mowgley

    mowgley Total Gardener

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    Well I've ordered one today, I'll see how I go on and if successful ill order some more
     
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    • mowgley

      mowgley Total Gardener

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      Well the panel turned up today and first impressions are promising.
      As @clueless1 has pointed out before the lights don't seem that bright until you look at them straight, then Its really bright.
      Placed 3 brugmansia cuttings and a musa Siam underneath it for now, still a little early for seeds.
      My plan is to start cannas, begonias and coleus under lights at the end of the month.
      Pic to follow, my camera battery is flat and the iPad camera not good enough.
       
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      • mowgley

        mowgley Total Gardener

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        Well here goes, this brug cutting had no leaves on when I put it under 10 days ago
        image.jpg
        The other 2 have leaves too but not as big
        I've currently got the light suspended from my tripod and the propagator inside a cardboard box

        image.jpg

        Got chillis and coleus in there too at the min.
        Hopefully start canna seeds and rhizomes off at the begining of feb and some toms too.
         
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        • PeterS

          PeterS Total Gardener

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          Excellent Mowgley. You can now do winter gardening and that makes life much more fun. I wouldn't be without my lightbox.
           
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          • Lolimac

            Lolimac Guest

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            Brilliant Mowgley:dbgrtmb:
             
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            • mowgley

              mowgley Total Gardener

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              Thx guys and gals. It looks like it's going to be successful so I might order another panel soon and make a proper box for it.
               
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              • JWK

                JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                I'm tempted to try these LED panels. Where (and how much) are you getting your panels from @mowgley ?
                 
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                • mowgley

                  mowgley Total Gardener

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                  • clueless1

                    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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                    I found that with bottom heat, you get much more consistent germination rates (although I went on to lose all mine because I got a bit carried away but that's another story). If you do go for a heater element, a tip from either someone on here (unfortunately I can't remember who) is this. Get one meant for heating a reptile tank. Its exactly the same thing, but because it doesn't have 'horticulture' in the title, its much cheaper.

                    All this reminds me, I'll have to pull y finger out and get mine on the go soon.
                     
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                    • Kristen

                      Kristen Under gardener

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                      What's the difference with this do you suppose?

                      http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190584260059

                      112 x LED = 45W as compared to yours of 225 x LED = 15W. Would the extra wattage equate to significantly more light output? Is that much light needed?

                      They are only 1' square, so you need 4 to have the same effect as a regular 2'-square lighting rig. My CloneLite 8 Square T5 Lights (2' square) cost £85, so 1' square lighting rights for circa £20 would be good value, and LED running costs less than Fuorsecent, and taht les than high wattage Metal Halide / HID.
                       
                    • Kristen

                      Kristen Under gardener

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                      I think there is need for care with Reptile matters in that they may fail if there is a heavy single point weight placed on them. Flat trays probably fine though.
                       
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