DIY led grow light with new high efficiency LED bulbs

[@PRAR1966]

Your original 💡Philips💡 video changed many lives for the better❣

[@melangkoh4184]

it shouldnt...a 120watt "knockoff" quantumboard with 288x samsung lm281B+ leds is 18-20 bucks. Mabye a single one of these 13watt bulbs on a longneck-lamp for seedlings, its the only usecase for these bulbs imo that can make sense.

[@marksmith-cg7wl]

​@@melangkoh4184 when you turn on a 13.5w bulb there could be 30 led chips on the round aluminium plate 40mm wide, each pulling 0.45w each a large grow light might have 800 led chips pulling 600w, so to get the same output you need 50 bulbs evenly spaced out to cover a 5ft x 5ft room if the grow light pulls 100w from the wall its going to cover a 2ft x 2ft( same as 8 x 13w bulbs), 6 bulbs is about 80w. rule of thumb you need 25-35w per ft2, to get a good result some growers add co2 and use 40w per ft2 I use a lux meter on my phone and I need to keep all the canopy above 38,000 lux in flower, 60,000 lux will give you a really good result, lux to par is (lux x 0.015)

[@honeyballleckda1699]

​​@@melangkoh4184The old one where at 1.6 efficiency... For that time it was not bad ✌ Where you got qb knockoff for 20 bucks???

[@melangkoh4184]

@@honeyballleckda1699 Ali express. But it only has lm 281B+ instead of the Lm301 that are on the original HLG. Still very good value. They come with 248 samsung lm281B+ whites, 32 epistar red, 4 IR+ 4UV

[@salovamrani2084]

​@@melangkoh4184you forgot a 35 dollar driver 😂. Btw 13 watt led bulb is 1$

[@HartFarmsGenetics]

cool experiment. since tech has improved and prices for some brands are lower for proper grow lights it doesnt pay to mess around anymore. Thanks Shane for all you do and have done. Peace

[@stoshbeast1]

Ya LED's are so much cheaper these days. I remember paying $10 for each LED light bulb back in 2012 when I first started using them.

[@StillFunBrewing]

That’s so fun. Back in 2020 I was doing tests with those long strip style LEDs and the flat mounted LEDs. Those strip ones are awful. Could barely get plants to grow with them and the growths were always elongated and weak. All over my house I still have led bulbs with the covers cut off laying around. In a pinch these cheap bulbs do a pretty good job.

[@nandodando9695]

These are always clear methodical and useful. I always like the clear way you present data

[@wow-dg2xt]

👍 Its logic, the new 210lm/w bulbs need a high spot-reflector, the sunlight dont came from the side, new bulb you can hanging in a plant or you make this 5 or 6 tiny yellow led-strings from the new bulbs flat under a high-reflective board!!!! Greetings from germany

[@Санчес-я1т]

Congratulations to the Germans on their legalization!

[@PM-wt3ye]

Die sind einfach Müll, verschwenden Licht genau wie die Glühlampen. Niemand braucht Licht an der Decke 😅, somit sind etwa 180° verschwendet 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@junglie]

I did that 20 years ago with the high efficiency fluro bulbs mounted horizontally with a 250w sodium in the middle of the alloy shade for flowering, pulled a good 4 oz + from a single plant every time in a small cupbourd with extraction from above for many years with it. To quote boys from the black stuff " I can do that giz a job" Sean....lol.

[@tzone962]

this is how i started growing too. Was great for vegging plants early before outdoor started

[@DanJonesShow]

Ha! Good timing! I'm building a light out of 35 watt 100 LED bulbs and some of those 9 watt 9 LED bulbs. Mixing between 2700 Kelvin all the way to 5000 running a total of 150 watts with a power factor of .99

[@MyExogenesis]

Great DIY project. Could you please make some tests with popular aquarium lights like Chihiros used by some planters?

[@subkewl862]

I remember when you made the video 2 or 3 years ago I never made one myself because I always thought that the technology would move forward and be more improved but I don't know I'm going to watch the video now the update one so let's see what the findings are I hope you found better results if not hey it's still good info to know

[@TobyRobb]

neat experiment there.

[@goodgreen4616]

Those 13 watts get sooo hot. But they worked at the time.

[@exshenanigan2333]

I use 30w LED bulbs, infrared thermometer measures 160F at the bulb body which is hottest thing in my tent, way hotter than the grow light. But I'm fine with some heat boost, they're bright and movable. On the corners of the tent I make bouquets of buds using the trellis. These buds would otherwise get lower PPFD from my grow light so I assign each of these 30w LED bulbs to one bouquet. Brings PPFDs right back to 1000PPFD all over the tent.

[@Санчес-я1т]

Do you think it is better to take lamps no more than 10 watts?

[@microbefeeder]

I remember that video!! you are such a stud!! love it. Thank you for always making amazing content.

[@mushisan1]

@Migro, excellent video as usual. Those "old" philips you talk about in the video, they are strikingly similar to GU10 / MR16 spotlight usually used on ceilings. Do you have any idea how these spotlight bulbs compare? I have a bunch of them, LED 7w MR16 spotlights, I'm thinking I can build an enclosure/panel and use like 5 of them at a time, aiming for the lower branches of the plants, where the main light doesn't reach that easily. I'm just wondering how efficient they are. I guess I can use the mobile app to measure. Thank you!

[@CrankCase08]

They are not as cost-effective as the standard bulb types, particularly when you take into account the cost of many GU10 holders. The standard modern 13w types produce produce more lumens per watt than the more powerful 7w GU10.

[@chefjeff_the_headpusher3745]

I did this with the bulb splitter i had 16 100w led bulbs , worked for flowering males pretty well

[@CrankCase08]

Why would you want to flower males?

[@MrMymorph]

Ow that's a crazy result. And probably the situation is even worse as all those bulbs won't last 3 years. The mini transformers in each bulb are prone too failure. Just buy a descent gro light and be confident your running efficiently and safely!

[@stoshbeast1]

Huh? I've been using the same GE (General Electric) light bulbs in my home for almost 5 years now. I moved in August 2019 and they're still going strong. It definitely depends on the quality or brand though. GE and Philips are the best ones I've used.

[@DJJDSKREWED]

I built one after watching that video for a 2x4 and it to this day is still my best light ! it perfect for veg or flower for autos

[@66taner67]

Thanks a lot for all your work, since germany legalized *special tomatos* im about to start my first grow and was overwhelmed by all the lights and options. But i found your channel which helped me a lot and i settled on getting an Migro Array 2 as my first light for a 60x60cm growbox. Thanks for all the honest doing and i look forward to use the Array 2 🎉 (Edit: I just double checked and your Array 2 comes around 160€ while the Viparspectre (i kid you not) is around 240€)

[@MIGROLIGHT]

Best of luck!

[@deleqtronica8733]

This takes me back to the CFL days

[@MikeParentLeap]

I used the old style ones successfully but today’s lower cost Grow lights win, hands down.

[@stoshbeast1]

A Mars Hydro TS1000 is definitely the most effective light for the cost. It's crazy what and how much you can grow with a $100 grow light!

[@WeAreLegion-]

​@stoshbeast1 Viparspectra makes great cheap lights, too.

[@exshenanigan2333]

​@@stoshbeast1 XS 1500 PRO is $85 and 150watts.

[@davidcurry4433]

What a carry-on, I'll stick with my Sansi 100w full spectrum dimmable lights. The PPFD is 557, and the cost is £50 in the UK.

[@skankhunt420]

They're even on sale rn, extremely cheap!!

[@krystofelyournet4303]

Hey mygro I want to ask about light shedule, do u ever try ur vegg cicle on 12 hours on 5 and half off 1hour on 5 off and then 12 on, and for flowers cicle is 6 hours on and 18 off, do u ever try this method. I've running this setup and look like been working 💪

[@mr.marmars]

Always great work shane keep it up!!!

[@JorgeAlban]

Thanks for the rundown Shawn. You definitely made a case for the Migros. I still find the huge sink Optic1-style COB lights handy hung above a couple of plants in a small greenhouse to extend light hours in veg and increase noon-time intensity in flower.

[@MIGROLIGHT]

The Optic COBs are nice, great for little setups👍

[@kkrollingskkrollings3173]

@MIGROLIGHT why are we not seeing any led grow lights using the newest cobs like vero gen 9 or the new cree pro 9 that replaced the cree cxb 3590 cobs, did luminus put out a new generation recently. I love cobs they were the game changes the migro cobs luminus cxm 32 the Vero 29 gen 7 and cree cxb 3590s were the game changers in the led game. I would like to see some new cob lights using the newest cobs and testing on them. I just love the look of them and they performed great. I'm interested in making a light using the new cree pro 9 3030 avaliable now or the Vero 18 or 29 gen 9 avaliable anyday for sale to public I'm sure they been avaliable for companies or people with connections for awhile now.

[@dylancurotte4403]

I wonder if you put a layer of mylar on the plywood if it would make any differnce on the results?

[@robert7984]

I wonder if little, mini light hoods (like on the old HID Vertical hailed fixtures used) would help with the newer bulbs?

[@Санчес-я1т]

5:52 why does this make sense? Household lamps are much cheaper. In my country, a Philips lamp (13W, 1200 lm) can be found for 1.2 euros.

[@honeyballleckda1699]

No way... Awesome 😀 Best entertainment with eating a meal 👌🙏👍

[@HighGradeTexan]

I've used the outdoor Leds for lighting your backyard and such lol but they work pretty bright actually

[@stefannn9097]

Very interesting! Is more lumen always preferable?

[@zecamattosb]

thank you very much

[@jimd1617]

nice experiment! thanks for sharing :)

[@PhantomPain74]

Thanks Buddy 👍

[@jackbell297]

I would love to see a test of the "shop lights" that are now available. Some have said that they are a low cost alternative to grow lights at a much cheaper cost.

[@PM-wt3ye]

Osram/Philips 150cm lights really should be quite good. Not that expensive, there are versions with 4100 lumen at 22W, more than 180lm/w and not 360° which wastes the most light

[@Санчес-я1т]

Is CRI important for growing plants? For example, there are lamps where CRI is more than 90. And there are lamps where 80...

[@growersmindset]

love the migro aray lights.

[@growersmindset]

the breakdown and transparency is greatly appreciated.

[@simonallins6010]

Can I ask you something mr. Migro?Do you sleep with the lights on? : )

[@amkeukiankh8549]

Any of them with IP65 Water resistance?

[@historyandhorseplaying7374]

Hello sir, big fan of yours as usual. Question that I haven't seen you (or anyone else) address: are there any small, "personal" lights/lamps that you could recommend, that would both keep a plant looking nice and illuminated on a tabletop, while also keeping it alive? This would be a small, adult plant with higher light requirements. E.g. if I wanted to give me wife one of my little Nicotiana Rustica plants (that don't tend to get bigger than a couple of feet tall or so in a pot) to set on her work desk. Is there such a light? Thanks!

[@HardkoreHiggins]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@eccultivation]

Another useful test in the books! 👊 Can you do this test with the new T6 or T8 led tubes? They use no ballast, are very cheap and from what i can see they work very well for the vegetative stage of growing cannabis. I am currently using the T6 double fixture led tubes over my mother plants and recently added another one for clones and seedlings where they will veg untill they get moved to the HPS flower room, i noticed the mother plants started growing bigger fan leaves and their stem structures thick and super green producing amazing cuttings for clones but i have no measurable data on it and would be great to see you do an accurate test.

[@MIGROLIGHT]

Way ahead of you 😄. Test of T8 Vs LED coming soon

[@eccultivation]

@@MIGROLIGHT very cool! Can't wait !

[@Санчес-я1т]

How many T6 bulbs do you use for the mother plant?

[@eccultivation]

@@Санчес-я1т i have 1 x double tube fixture for each of mine but 2 x plants per fixture will also work just fine

[@eccultivation]

@@Санчес-я1т one double tube fixture for 2 x mother plants but 2 will help cover more side branches

[@megaflux7144]

what about outdoor/ halogen replacement bulbs?

[@MIGROLIGHT]

Halogen are very inefficient unfortunately

[@megaflux7144]

@@MIGROLIGHTno no, i mean the led halogen replacements. they have the normal light bulb part you screw in but a much broader "head". they are meant for lights above your garage or on your back porch.

[@GrowShack-Kev]

I have a diy light in a 3×3 consisting of 20 watts 4200k, 90 watts 3500k 40 watts 3000k, 40 watts 2700k, 60 watts 5000k and I also run a 150 watt quartz halogen lamp for about 4 to 5 hrs. per day that is listed at 2400k. Is this a sufficient spectrum for my autoflowers

[@anonomix1426]

Could you try this set up with GE 10 watt or higher seedling lights to see how they work out efficiency wise? I understand the cost would.akr it definitely not worth it but I'm never going to run that experiment and I know someone would like to see it

[@snorkyfin1879]

Hey @migrolight! Have you seen Ike Solhetta E27 1571lm with 8.2w(LED2209G1)? The provide about 185lm/w and i guess its even more without the dome.

[@RammaJamma3]

Quick question is Optic Led grow lights any good? They have new lights this year that has 3 adjustable spectrum knobs for white red and blue. It uses all Samsung LEDs 301h Evo and Samsung deep reds and Royal blues. Has 5 LEDs per watt. Has best of everything. Only thing am concerned about the evo whites are 3000k-3500k that’s it. But I guess since it has royal blue and deep red it’s feeling in every thing. Oh has uv and ir also. Love hear what you think. It’s a 320 gen2 for 2x4 tent 1548 LEDs total

[@sanssin344]

i currently have a spider farmer se1000w and recently purchased the ac infinity evo10. when i turned on the evo i noticed it puts out a decent amount more heat than my spider farmer does. is this due to the newer evo leds or do you think it is just a difference in heat dissipation design? seems like an increase of 3-4 degrees when set to the same par level

[@anthonyterlizzi2405]

I stuck together 6 18w Sansi bulbs & it's freakishly bright. Have you ever reviewed Sansi?

[@MIGROLIGHT]

No, i must have a look.

[@Gameneuling2]

@@MIGROLIGHT IKEA has an E27 led bulb: SOLHETTA 185,5 Lumen/W 8.2W - 7,99€

[@jonathanschadenfreude9603]

been using them since they have had the color rendering index above 90

[@exshenanigan2333]

I've always dismissed CRI but when we moved, the new house had high CRI LEDs. Oh boy, what a difference for a living space! Previously everything had the same hue of color temperature of the bulb. Now it feels like everything has its own color.

[@jonathanschadenfreude9603]

@@exshenanigan2333 I think all critical thinkers are apprehensive initially. The feit i used were truly the best bang for my buck for vegging, I dont know that flowering with these would meet certain criteria but thoe CRI are def the ones id rec.

[@exshenanigan2333]

​@@jonathanschadenfreude9603 I have flowered with 5000K 45w shop LEDs, 4 of them daisy chained totaling 180watts. Got them on clearance for $8 dollar each. I added supplemental 2700K bulbs during flowering but the entire thing worked just fine and produced quality buds. I mostly count PPFD at this point and don't pay too too much attention to spectrum since as far as I understand all white LEDs are full spectrum anyways. So given enough PPFD most white LEDs regardless of the kelvin temperature can be used in flowering AFAIK.

[@hiroyopoetker]

spectacular!

[@joaovictordesales3364]

i imagine that's possible to get a better ppfd map with thoose bulbs using 15w osram ones, or even a reflector with osram chips, those were available everywhere!

[@zumbaladin]

Interesting experiment, maybe 4 or 5 of the new vertical leds could be used as supplement for under canopy and side-lighting ? But for the main source of light dedicated led fixtures are definitively the way to grow nowadays, prices are really competitive (electricity price is another problem though).

[@exshenanigan2333]

This is pretty much what I do I use 30w LED bulbs at $6 each. My grow light performs great in the center but can't reach the corners of the tent so I make bouquets of buds using the trellis and assign these 30w LED bulb over those bouquets.

[@3sslawi]

Thx for your in-depth analysis ! It would be very interesting if you could test this Philips bulb "CorePro LEDbulb ND 12.5-100W A60 E27 940". Its spectrum is quite impressive compared to other bulbs. It might even be the best bulb grow light option, surpassing the Sansi bulb that everyone is promoting.

[@RemarkXer]

I recently bought a bulb in ikea that promises 1521lm for only 8W. It's the same style as the old philips ones, but bigger, so it has more LEDs. I don't remember the price exactly, but it was cheap.

[@marksmith-cg7wl]

You can increase the Efficiency well over the 2.5 PPFD(13w, 2700k, 1521lms) by adding aluminium reflectors and a fan, it works by reducing the bulb temperature by over 20c, the aluminium reflectors works as a heatsink and the fan removes the heat because theirs's a chip inside the bulb that reduces the output of light to keep the temperature in range(stops the bulb burning out) The light spread from the bulb is very wide so over 50% of the light is wasted(over spill), adding a reflector will redirect all the light back onto the canopy, Even leaving the bulb defuse on the bulb and cutting it so there a good inch left on the bulb around the edge(small reflector) as this will redirect some of the light(over spill) and increase the output by 5-10%, also reduces the chances of catching the bulb as it can give you a small shock I have building these lights for years and the results are amazing, thanks Migro.

[@michaelcarey9359]

PLEASE, do a test using the lumileds 10 Watt CoB horticultural LEDs that come in purple or pink. Even a test of the aleexpressd or the wishd knock offs would be great to see! They sell these things for anywhere from $1 to 10.... I've been using one for a few months and was quite surprised, and the smaller (10 or20 Watts) ones lend themselves to being spaced out a little.

[@michaelcarey9359]

Granted, the heat sinks you need for these CoBs cost maybe 5 tinmes the LED, itself...

[@ironcucumber9391]

You’re so close, take the extra step and start with the LED chips. DIY LED’s are BY FAR cheaper for anything over 100 Watts.

[@MisterNotSpanish]

Nobody sells true 100w bulbs in the first place.

[@alexanderh2715]

Coming to this video because every goddamn grow store and LED light supplyer in Europe is out of stock since Germany legalized (partially). I should have speculated and bought a setup but I wanted to play it safe.

[@IndoorGarden420]

Run a sale on your migro arrays

[@diegomontoya796]

These ones? As in two or more?

[@kkrollingskkrollings3173]

Anyone see the Gorrilla grow tent video making fun of leds with white light. They were claiming kind led is superior with there blue and red etc.. diode specific Color’s. They claimed all Leds with white diodes were wasting light and not efficient. They had a big comerishal video on it targeting new growers who don’t know the difference. The video was laughable. While kind makes good leds to claim they are the best and all Leds with all white diodes are crap in just wrong. The best tested leds in the world by Shane and others use mainly white diodes like Samsung and osrams with the bull being white mix’s of like 3000 and 5000 kelvin etc.. worth a look. Ghetto grow still some folks growing that way in a pinch who can’t afford a led anything to get you growing untill you can afford something better.

[@Dab_Marino]

Same with BlackDog LED 2015 called and wanted their light back!

[@thelmawillis2105]

I watched it and I agree with you. I'm sure that kind is a great light but that DOES NOT make white LEDs, junk. I was thinking of buying the 220 kind but changed my mind after I watched they're video.

[@stiphbreis5513]

The white isn't f0r the plant. It's for the grower. Tell those idiots at kind Good luck diagnosing deficiencies under burple lights 😂

[@Санчес-я1т]

"the bull"?

[@rjay5506]

Yeah any companies whose reps, specs or advertising are lying I avoid like the plauge. Really any decent quality led will give very similar results as long as its sized for the space

[@realreggaelutionrecords]

Proper lights for the main grow. DIY is cool for a prop or small micro veg , but your just as well using T4s or cfls really

[@MIGROLIGHT]

I'm not so sure... CFL and T4s are very inefficient and are being phased out in lots of countries

[@realreggaelutionrecords]

@@MIGROLIGHT Tell that to the thousands that have used them for years. I value LEDs are the future , but you miss the context of my post . Rather than messing around with DIY you can easily just use 3500lmn cfls . Plug and play. I started off 30yrs ago , DIYing old High Bays and LowBays, I Diyed Airoponics, Hydro not to mention stacks of electrical and musical equipment over the years. I love a bit of DIY , but in this case , unless you are running big numbers and a large area, in which case you'd naturally scale up your set up with appropriate lights, we're talking the difference of a few quid over 3 years.

[@B52StratoBomber]

Ikea got some Bonkers E27, Lights, Look Up Solhetta

[@Tobi-l2p]

Try Lsc 17w 2500LM 3000K with Action

[@OleM-0891]

Migro. I already test that With power e27 bulbs only 2 of them with 3200 lumens Other 1200lumens 6 of them on a spider e27 ali express bulb holder Ppfd app goes to 1500 Off course light distribution not as accurate But powerfull asf I take off all the caps And you cap too Cause i only spend 10€ on 2 of the 3200 lumens Other 4 with 1200 i got osram or Philips for 5 Where do you buy your bulbs!! Please So many discounts and liquidation on e27 And only draw 100w! Off course just a test too Been using attis pro Only need 300w

[@leonjohnson1370]

I'd like to see an old 100watt hps street light compared by you Shane. Your graphs and charts are easy for me to understand and learn from. Thank you. I guess like a historical timeline of the grow lamps evolution from incandescent to today. Your always on point in my book friend. Nice work

[@subkewl862]

Yeah that sucks very strange the old Bulds are better but are the better because of this new internal design we'll never know maybe if the bulbs word designed like older models as far as how the diodes are used in made into little strips instead made like the older ones maybe it would have been a different ball game but will never know thanks for making the video thanks for sharing the information I'm very grateful I appreciate it many blessings to you until next time bye for now

[@suki4410]

Lumens per watt means more light with less heat, but when the light cant hit the leafs, it makes no sense to use them. The other light with the small quantum board is more sutable for seedlings. It is dangerous and illegal to use them without electrical protection.

[@Санчес-я1т]

Do you mean to use without plastic flasks (diffusers)? Is it dangerous?

[@suki4410]

@@Санчес-я1т yes.possible

[@suki4410]

@@Санчес-я1т Yes, this can be deadly, because there is full power on the wires.

[@mikest.gelais8555]

That's right, just buy a grow light they are much safer and They look a lot better.Unfortunately, in the world we live in A lot of people are going for looks they want everything to match , I myself prefer Functionality versus looks

[@marcusclementson4026]

the LED down light type bulbs might be better

[@nakefatty9167]

Much better with the diffuser removed. They must negatively affect the efficiency and life span quite a lot.

[@melangkoh4184]

the 210 lumen/W needs to be put sideways under a reflector, just like an old HPS. Its obvious. Just by looking how the led-filaments are designed, you can see that most of the light will not be directed to the ground. I dont know why you even bothered doing it this way.

[@northernrob8072]

Theres 5 strips there Shane

[@ianfarquharson3772]

What about using lamp shade like your granny had😀😅

[@Gameneuling2]

Ikea has a light bulb: (not filament- build like like the phillips one , also built wider - so better light spread:) "SOLHETTA 185,5 Lumen/W": 8.2W - 7,99€, IF we assume same light spread and output but only more efficient: (+~60% (185 L/W vs 117 L/W) -->~ 2,6 PPFD/W) !!!! Im not for buying those cheap bulbs better just buy a migro array: but I dont see the error in my calculation (sure only theoretical but if we assume way less like ~2.2 ppfd/w Im not sure the calcuations still work out in favour of the migro array...)

[@andrehehehe4621]

u should not break the led strip bulbs. they contain helium as heat transfer gas

[@PM-wt3ye]

Maybe you can place the 210lm/w bulbs in between your plants 🤔 But these types, although very efficient, waste light the same way old bulbs did. They have an angle near 360°, useless for almost any application 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@scottwilliams6257]

It's much easier to get a light bulb in prison. Thats how that Alabama slamma is cultivated.

[@dollartreegrower3969]

LED bulb guy

[@higdaw]

Just buy Shane's stuff people!

[@420somewhereG]

👍🏼👍🏼🍀🇮🇪☘

[@OrganicGreens]

great cheap lights for clones.

[@CrankCase08]

Those 100w Phillips bulbs are overpriced bog-standard Chinese products that are not even as bright as the cheaper ones from Tesco, currently selling at 2 for £5.50. Wickes ones, with less diodes, are even worse. Anything that produced at least 100 lumens per watt will work (available on eBay and Amazon) by removing the diffuser globe, which increases lumens by over 50%. Using 2700k bulbs early in the flowering stage will produce stretching that can be greatly reduced with 4000K bulbs for the first three weeks, before changing to 2700K in order to maximise red.

[@EricCheetoh]

This guy is a liar he only cares about saling certain brands

[@Joe-wv3pe]

Feit makes a 300 watt replacement LED with a pop off diffuser I believe they are 34 watts you should try those they are also 3000k light

[@tzone962]

just shows you what a rip off all these arrays costing 2k + are.