Lighting Heights

[Old ST1R]

Hey All, my light is a 600 Watt HPS on a dimmable ballast that also has overdrive.

I read somewhere (probably Growweedeasy), that a 600 should be 16 inches away from the tops of the plants to closely replicate the intensity of the sun.

Just curious to know how far away others keep similar lights? I’m in the fourth week of flower if that makes any difference.

Also, is there an appropriate time period to use the “overdrive” feature?

 

[Main Cola]

Hey All, my light is a 600 Watt HPS on a dimmable ballast that also has overdrive.

I read somewhere (probably Growweedeasy), that a 600 should be 16 inches away from the tops of the plants to closely replicate the intensity of the sun.

Just curious to know how far away others keep similar lights? I’m in the fourth week of flower if that makes any difference.

Also, is there an appropriate time period to use the “overdrive” feature?

I think that’s about the norm but I have heard conflicting stories. What kind of hood /reflector do you have?

 

[yougrowyourway]

I just ask my babies if they're happy with the lighting when I adjust it. It doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[Old ST1R]

I think that’s about the norm but I have heard conflicting stories. What kind of hood /reflector do you have?

It an air cooled hood.

 

[yougrowyourway]

But in all seriousness I do the hand test if my hand doesn't get too hot it's good

 

[crimsonecho]

I’m not well versed in hid. I started with leds and never used hid lighting to grow. But equal light intensities is important too.

Normally i can easily keep my led rig at 20cm or so but intead of over saturating the tops and starving the bottoms, i keep it at 40 or so. The reflective surfaces guides the photons into the deeper parts of the canopy and the overlapping light prints of multiple light sources illuminates the shaded parts better.

Also with a single point of light, like a 600w hid light bulb, a little bit of height could work even better imo. Again not sure on specific heights but hand test plus 20cms will not be counter productive i think. Especially with tall plants that has a busht structure.

 

[Mellow old School]

Hand test always a good choice, you can with proper ventilation go close even with 600 watts, 10 inches is dueable with that size in my experience with cool tubes and a big ass exhaust, but you have to pay attention mate...

 

[18B]

I have a 1000w Raptor hood...it is a 6" exhausted hood...I have 6" duct, a 6" carbon filter, 6" fan inline...I generally keep it about 20" from the top...I always use my arm...if it is too hot on my arm, it's too hot for my plants...that is how I judge...my plants come out fat n happy...I have a room I built outta studs n drywall, lined with mylar 4' X 6'....it draws cool air from another room in the basement and filtered with 6" filter as well...other then that it is a sealed room.