Ok, this is going to be hard to say what I’m thinking but I’m going to try. This could be a lengthy post…
Couple years back I purchased 8 Mars 400w LED fixtures (actual draw is 180w). I was replacing 2400w of HPS, putting 4 of the fixtures in each of the two 4.5’ x 4.5’ x 7’ tents. Each tent had two 600w HPS fixtures in it, for a total of 1200w per tent. 2400w total.
The goal was simple. Reduce electric consumption cost per month, without sacrificing yield or quality. Overall these lights did a little bit better than I was expecting, though the penetration wasn’t there…the terps were tremendous and there was a very noticeable increase in resination. Yields were rather “on par” with what I was getting before, if not maybe a little less. But hey, now I was using 720w actual output per tent, with a larger more versatile canopy having 4 units hanging. I was seemingly doing better with LED!
Then, 7 months into the process…it started happening. A diode here and there was giving out. First they would burn reallllly bright for a week or so, then die out. Some of these diodes DRIPPED from blowing out. Major fire hazard eh?! I mean, I got rid of the HPS to help electrical consumption but also reduce fire risk tremendously. And reduce heat!
Anyways, so here I am about 7 months in and multiple fixtures are having this issue. Well, I decided…even though the fixtures were still “working” it was better to break down and rehang up the HPS fixtures.
Here I am, probably 2 years later. I’ve purchase 1 Fluence Spydr X Plus and I absolutely LOVE IT! I wish I could afford two more for the other space. Which leads me here, to you all. I still have these fixtures and I know some of you are amazingly smart.
If you were in my shoes which of the following would you do?:
- Reuse the Mars Drivers, fans, housing etc and purchase some other LED’s for them and “rebuild” them
- Keep using HPS until (somehow) I save up enough money to purchase another Spydr
- I’m open to any suggestions you may have
Generally I’m just trying to get all 100% LED, but can’t afford more $1,500 lights. At least not right now, nor ANY time soon.
So currently I have one space with 1,000w HPS in a large Raptor hood, and one space with two 600w HPS each in a normal glass enclosed and cooled hood.
