cost of running 1000w led grow lights

[Dean37]

Hi all, Im hoping someone has some experience in grow lights, my question is simple,what is the Hz usage of a 1000w led grow light panel?, my panel came from china and dosnt have the label most electrical appliances come with indicating voltage usage and other specs, but its the Hz that i need to know?

[Regelian]

Dean, essentially, a Watt is a Watt. If running full power, it's 1 Kilowatt hour. Herz has no effect on LEDs, they are not a motor, where 60Hz vs 50Hz will change the turn rate (speed). They have a transformer that regulates the current flow, much like with fluorescent lamps (not the same, but the idea is there). What you need to know is the efficiency of the LEDs in the appliance to know how much light it will produce, as well as the spectrum to know how much of this light is usefull for photosynthesis. Blue (450nm) and red (660-680nm) is what the plants need. Our eyes will need something to make white (typically just a white phosphour LED).

You may want to look under infos for marine aquariums, where this level of lighting is well studied.

Jamie

[Dean37]

Thanks ,you have been very helpful, I'll look up more info under marine aquariums, my plants seem to be liking the amount of light so i think im getting that part right, but you are the first person to give any useful advise, not even the light supplier knew much about it so thanks again

Dean

[sciencegal]

Blue (450nm) and red (660-680nm) is what the plants need. Our eyes will need something to make white (typically just a white phosphour LED).


Jamie

I think from the articles I read that plants also need some small degree of green light. The reason that green is not included in LEDs for plants is because it isn't very efficient and only using red and blue is cheaper. I had some thoughts, too about orchids or any tropical plant that grow under the canopy where most of the light passes through upper leaves so is more green. Those types might do better with a greener light or white light that has all three colors. Many orchids fall into this category. Orchids that grow in more shade are getting more of the green light. I thought it was interesting that Chris in Hamilton saw his blooming orchids face toward his newly painted green walls. They might be craving green light.

[Chris in Hamilton]

"I thought it was interesting that Chris in Hamilton saw his blooming orchids face toward his newly painted green walls."

Really just the Rossioglossum I think Karin. Could be the fact that they are green but there is also a lot of light bouncing off those high gloss walls. The spike would have hit the bulbs by the time it got to full length so the plant amy have been trying to get away from the hot bulbs as well?

[sciencegal]

I misunderstood. I thought I read that more than one was doing that. It is still true that plants do use a small percentage of green light. Whatever they need there is no way that I could tolerate that pinkish purple neon glow from the red/blue lights. The plants will just have to make due with the white light during the winter.

[Chris in Hamilton]

I have both red and blue in the same fixtures. You get used to it after awhile. One of my ballast needs replacing. Flcikering I can't stand.

[raybark]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but if your lamps emit only red and blue, then the green walls are not going to reflect any green to the plants (as there is none going to them in the first place).

[Chris in Hamilton]

The walls don't come into it at all for me Ray. I just thought the colour was nice. They do reflect a lot of light though. I think the rossioglossum faced its flowers towards the wall because it was cooler than toward the lights.

[sciencegal]

Do you think it would face the blooms toward a cooler area?