34g solana with mystery lighting.

[teamdulski]

PAR38 PAR readings

PAR38 PAR readings

Alright thanks to A R C for measuring the PAR of this LED setup. These numbers are approximate and from memory. No glass top, light about 4-6" above surface in dead center. The most extreme bottom corners of the tank measured 40-50.

 

[Cptn Spaulding]

and thats just from the one led fixture? not to mention the two powerbrites on it.. or for other tanks a couple t5 lights or something

 

[teamdulski]

Yea that wasn't with any powerbrites.

 

[Cptn Spaulding]

may have to sign me up for some... hah. always looking to find ways to make this hobby cheaper.

 

[Johnny C]

I hope to see more of these locally... the 20K colors look awesome and give the MH's shimmer a run for it's money!

 

[superkat]

wowie wow wow wow.....sweet!

 

[S Helinski]

I was there today playing with the PAR meter. Those numbers are accurate. Keep in mind that the bulb had 80 degree lenses, which diffuses the light more. The standard bulb has 40 degree lenses, using simple math, the PAR readings would likely double with the standard lenses.

I compared these to 250w MH lamps with excellent reflectors, and simply put, the halides do beat these PAR38 LED lamps on PAR--no question about it. However, when comparing the wattage, one could use (10) of these PAR38 lamps to achieve a lethal PAR level and still cook less wattage than a comparable halide.

The lamps are currently pricey, and I'm considering switching from my T5 setup to these. It would be quite an investment, but one that would pay for itself with energy savings. I'm not yet sold on these PAR38 LED's, but I have a feeling they, or something very similiar will be the next big thing...

Steve

 

[superkat]

that is excellent info, Steve...has anyone done a cost comparison with these results yet? would be interested to see what the yearly savings is...

 

[S Helinski]

(Wattage x Hours Run per day) / 1000 = xKWH

KWH x (Cost per KWH [divide your total electric bill by the number of KWH you used])

= The Cost of running a particular electric device per day.

x 30.42 = Cost of running a particular electric device per month.

Steve

 

[superkat]

at what point can you personally do a cost comparison? immediately? or after running these for a few months?

 

[S Helinski]

Well, I know exactly how much my tank costs to run per month, because I have done the calculations. If you switch out a light fixture for example, which was cooking 250 watts, and you replaced it with a light fixture cooking only 100 watts, you are now spending less money on electricity...

Now if you want to find out how long it will take a less energy demanding light fixture to pay for itself in energy savings, simply figure out the monthly cost differences, and divide the cost of the new fixture by the monthly difference. That will tell you how many months it will take your new fixture (or any appliance) to pay for itself...

Steve

 

[superkat]

thanks, Steve.

 

[teamdulski]

Well our current guesstimate is something like this....

The PAR reading of the LED are pretty much spot on with a high end 150w MH DE bulb with an average reflector.

MH bulb and reflector and ballast is about $300
Monthly electrical cost to run is about $30 x12 = $360
20k MH bulb nees to be replaced twice a year ($70 x2)= $140
So first year for a 150w MH setup would be $800

PAR38 20k, 21w LED Bulb with standard light socket is about $140
Monthly electrical cost is about $3 x 12 =$36
Replace every 4-6 YEARS (no cost)

So first year is $176


4 year MH setup would cost about 1440 + 300 + 560 = $2,300
4 year LED setup would cost about 140 + 144 = $284

Yes, I know my electrical costs are not quite right but their close enough.

So $2,000 over 4 years in savings. That is pretty cool.

 

[superkat]

that is EXACTLY what i was looking for. Wow!

 

[teamdulski]

I can't wait to see Kyle's 55 with LED's and then a shady character from north Amherst is also making the switch on his 120.