LED question

[Bob]

I have a v450 viparspectra it has a veg and bloom switch, does anyone recommend using both switches on for the whole grow? Manual says you can and some people do it, but with the veg switch only it only draws around 100watts but with both 200w atts is actual power draw?

[oldjarhead100]

hi Bob I don't have a switch on my Leds , I purposely didn't buy one with the switch. My reasoning is this You buy a comparable wattage to recreate the same light as a HPS, but it comes in two modes one for veg and one for bloom. well what you just said is that it draws 100 watts at the plug when either bloom or veg.well if I bought a light to be equivalent to a hps I would want that same number in each mode ( ie its a 4500 watt light but if it only uses half the light in each stage then isn't it a 225 light, I bought 4 300 watt leds full spectrum for growing Autos they are blue and res predominantly red but the Autos seem to love them look in new grow room under my post .I think if you use both you will be fine , I would also try a grow using veg light only then bloom only and a grow using both veg and bloom see what they like the best . most of the things we do are trial and error

[abadtrip]

Hi I agree with what ojh said use both. I have 2 viperspecra 300 w led they don't have a switch and my plants are growing well.

[D.A.A.S.69]

Same as OJH, an Abadtrip says, if it was my first grow with the LED, I would use both veg. and bloom on.
Then after harvest on your next grow you could try another way, then compare which worked best.

[Bob]

Thanks for the input, its appreciated,I'm only using the veg switch now and Im going to start to flower then in one week so next grow I'll run both switches to see the difference. First indoor grow, but I'm loving these LEDs with the very low heat. Trying to stay one step ahead.

[Tika]

You could also veg under t5s and then go to LEDs in flower. I do.
Just a thought

[oldjarhead100]

thats how I do it Tika

[lrnotu]

What are t5s?

[Tika]

Fluorescent bulbs, come in various sizes, several manufactures, some can be Daisey chained, here is an example.

http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/10764/fluorescent-lighting?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI95Od0Ous1wIViWt-Ch1URADLEAQYBCABEgKur_D_BwE

[Obi-Wan]

I really think it depends on if you are growing photo period or Auto-flower and how long your veg period is if growing photo period. Everyone’s situation is different, I have the 600w viparspectra with veg and bloom switches. I’ve used it for photo period with the veg switch only as well as the veg/bloom switch together for veg. To be honest I didn’t see enough of a difference in the rate of growth or quality of growth to justify using both switches during veg for a photo plant. I currently use the 600w for my 2x4 veg space with the veg switch only on a 24/0 schedule in a 2 tent perpetual setup. The light pulls 276w using all 120-5w diodes @ 2.3w per diode with both switches on and 119.6w using only 52-5w diodes @ 2.3w per diode with the veg switch only. By using the veg switch only I was able to add an additional 300w led to my flower tent without increasing my energy costs. All that being said an auto-flower plant would do better with more light to power it through its rapid growth cycle.

[Tika]

Agree totally

[Madman960]

Obi, I have a 1500 watt LED. I was running 24/0 but today I finally got around to installing my manual time. Manufacturer recommends a 12/12 cycle and many places on the web call for a 20 minute break every 8 hours for LED. So, I set my time to give a 15 minute rest every 4 hours. Hopefully I can extend the life of my light this way.

Happy growing.

Madman