HLG 100 Rspec setup - what distances are safe?

[paladinkit]

Hey everyone! I could use some input from growers with LED experience - I'm starting my first grow (germinating right now) and I'm working roughly from this tutorial on GWE, although my tent is a foot taller for some wiggle room. https://www.growweedeasy.com/mini-gr...led-grow-light

I could only afford one light right now, so, per the tutorial advice, I bought this one: https://horticulturelightinggroup.co.../hlg-100-rspec

In my manual (which you can download at that link if you want to see it) it says the light should have at least 12" of space between its top and whatever it's hanging from. In my grow journal thread where I was grousing about some tent setup issues. MrPNW (thank you for your thoughtful comments!) pointed out that I could hang it differently so I could get more vertical space since it's so thin, and when I went back to the tutorial, sure enough, it does look like the light went all the way to the top of the tent in that grow!

Now I do have that extra foot of height in my tent, so I hadn't been concerned about it, but it would be nice to have the space for plants to get a bit taller and avoid potential light stress! Does anyone have any experience with using this light or similar designs closer to the top of the tent? I unfortunately definitely can't afford any more equipment at this point, so I gotta work with what I have.

Coolgrows 2x2x4
HLG 100 Rspec
AC Infinity Cloudline S4 + carbon filter
Smart pots with coco/perlite & GH trio +CaliMagic
Auto White Widow x1
Auto Northern Lights x1
Auto Lemon Kix x1


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[SoOrbudgal]

Goodmorning congrats on the new light. That will be fine for 3 autos in your size tent, those are higher end lights come at a big price so i totally get it. Now you know if you don't already know that light only draws 95watts from the wall. If it comes with the yo yo stringers i would be cautious to begin with and hang it no lower than 18" to begin. If you see light bleaching spots on leaf it's too close raise higher. Good luck and keep on asking the questions.

 

[paladinkit]

Thank you so much for the advice! I wanna upgrade my grow size eventually, but I need to make sure I don't hate growing first lol (nvm finding discreet space for a bigger tent).

Do you have any experience or opinions on how close to the *top* of the tent it's safe to put the light, for fire hazard reasons rather than plant light stress reasons? I'm trying to decide if it's worth moving the fan outside of the tent (cons: noise!) if it gains me a little more head room with the light.

Here's a pic of how I rigged the inside top of my tent yesterday for reference. I also had some struggles with where to put the driver (this cord is incredibly short!) but on reviewing Nebula's photos from the tutorial build I'm using, I'm going to reconfigure at least my driver suspension setup if it's not unsafe to just put the driver on top of the board like that.

Here's my grow setup so far


Here's one of Nebula's photos showing this light in use (from the link in my first post)

 

[AFChicago]

I have an HLG 650R and I had to move it as close as 6-8" from the top of the tent. Did not have any issues. That being said, is your driver not getting very hot? No concerns with that resting on the tent?

 

[paladinkit]

AFChicago I haven't set it up that way yet! The photos with the driver on top of the board are Nebula's, it looks like she's done several grows configured that way based on the photos in the tutorial I linked in my first post. I really appreciate you sharing your experience!

 

[gbauto]

That fixture will grow a single nice plant.
I use a V1qb in my veg/mother tent(5 sq ft).
It can run as much as 130 watts, but for veg, I run it at 75 watts@20".
All of the qb style fixtures I run seem to give the most uniformity across the space when I keep at least 18" above the canopy.

 

[Smokesteve]

That light is good for one plant definitely not a 2x4. Save up for this one https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/products/260w-xl-qb-v2-led-kit

 

[paladinkit]

I have a 2x2 floorspace 4 feet of height. I'm saving up for the gear for a 2x4 floorspace but not this grow.