Testing the Mars Hydro TS 600 Indoor LED Grow Light (TS-600)

For only $95 I'm pretty bloody happy. Not great, but definitely good enough for maybe 4 chilli plants.
Purchase Page: amzn.to/3C0HqAw (affiliate link)
It states 'full spectrum' but I could not see any UV LEDs, so not entirely sure, but see for yourself at www.mars-hydro... (cheapest on eBay - dig about their multiple listings)
Sorry I said 'conformant' twice when I meant conformal haha. And the lights being on really screwed with autofocus, but I don't think I could have done much!
Do not put your hand on bare electronics at home. I am an idiot, and lucky. But, I've been booted a few times, and learned to ensure I'm not earthed even when messing about at lower voltages and amps.
EDIT: It's 320V, not 32V!
#Platima #MarsHydro

[@jerkovicbrate]

It's not 32V, but 320V.

[@platima]

Oh, will definitely re-test that today! Cheers

[@platima]

Holy hell, you're actually right. Good catch! Thank you.

[@itsaustraliadayeveryday7234]

@@platima No it was reading 32.76 at 15:35, You cant get 320v on 240v line (theoretically) and it was steady the board has clearly marked + and - on it, BUT look at the meter and the red flashing light indicates 3 things AC power, AC power half rectification or pulsed DC If the light can be controlled dimmed up and down. i say it has pulsed on times during the cycle and clips at different voltages to dim the light (of cause these are guesses as i have not seen the whole circuit AC would shock you, ac half rectification similar but pulsing and DC would one big smack on the hand. When testing anything touch with the back of your hand the hand will clasp but allow you to pull away, the front of the hand will tend to grab and hence why a lot of people will vibrate during AC electrocution they cant let go. DC will probably burn your skin as huge current would flow. Any how just buy Ausie Your life is worth the extra.as i said "The Americans invent it, the Chinese build it and the Australians make it actually work :)"

[@platima]

@@itsaustraliadayeveryday7234 oh you did see this comment! Could be a step-up? Good point re back of hand, should do that more often. And I think it was one other one that gave me a good zap and left two tiny burns. Going to use a few more best practices in the future just so I don't give others any stupid ideas I think. Cheers mate!

[@apeacefulgrower]

I've been using mine since last Nov, and I've had 2 nice grows with it. I'm pretty happy with the price, durability and results. Good buy for new growers. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@platima]

Great to hear! I was a bit uncertain, and found it hard to find non-sponsored videos, hence doing this one myself. Cheers

[@apeacefulgrower]

I did a 3 foot P.punch and then a 13 inch Grape Ape with 5 big colas in a 2×2 closet grow. So it can be done, Cheers 🍻 👍

[@platima]

@@apeacefulgrower dang man, that's better than I expected! Nice work. I also just ordered a WeeGrow WG-600 to compare apples to oranges haha.

[@apeacefulgrower]

Thanks, good luck and Happy Growin ✌

[@platima]

@@apeacefulgrower Back at ya brother 🤘 PS a 'like' always helps haha.

[@thomasmcdougall8059]

Just got my light today .I'm new to all this led light Cary on .but I'm looking in my small 70x70x160 mars grow tent thinking it ain't enough for my 1 plant in there at the moment eavn at that it's under a scrog net to try get the most 😬

[@platima]

Sweet! I'd say it's definitely enough for one plant, if not 4, just have to keep raising the height with the plants growth!

[@bladerunner_92]

@@platima nice to hear that, i want to use ts600 with 60x60cm box with 2-4 small autoflowers. I was also looking at the Mars Hydro 48x5 240w which have the same actual power as TS600 but with fan and switchers for weg/flow (price is the same cause this light is on sale) and also i was thinking about TS1000 because i wasn`t sure that TS600 would be enough for my box (price is 40% higher). which light shood i take? thnx

[@platima]

Mate I really cannot advise, but I've got the TS600 covering a 50cm x 50cm space and it seems to fill it really well. Can prob go 1x1m if you've got reflective walls. Depends on the plant though from what I know. Eg my chillies just need warmth, a bit of humidity, and a lot of "natural" light to germinate. I believe TCH needs a lot of UV to produce oils though (probably best to google it or check out sites like 'ilgm'). If you're going to go over-spec on the light, if you can afford it prob a good option, then perhaps best to ensure it's got a dimmer!

[@ganjak3kchannel647]

I have 2xts600 in 70x70x160 and still not ennough light for good crop. Unless you hang it 10 inch. It gives you 700par. For 50x50cm not 70x70x160. It's good for 30cmx30cm 1 ts600. Not more. 1 plant max under my 2x100watt.

[@ThePettert]

50*50*120 mars hydro ts600 grow box, 4xauto = about 💯 g dry 🥦 ( it gives us this ~ 400g/m²) checked last year 🤫

[@UrbanWindowFarmer]

Nice Setup! Continuing to follow your Channel.👩🏾‍🌾👨🏾‍🌾🏡🌱🌱🍆🍆

[@platima]

Thanks Friend! Definitely going to check out your content now too. PS there's a WeeGrow light in the post which I'll test when it gets here too!

[@itsaustraliadayeveryday7234]

Ge'Day Mate. I restored this comment because i saw something else in you vid If you look at your meter not the numbers but at the top of it is a red led indicator, Its warning your probes are near a pulsed electrical current normally AC or pulsed DC Sorry i deleted it as i didn't see the part you said there was a rectifier in it. it still maybe half rectification any how The full comment was "Well I’m not going to call you an idiot, you already said it  I’m glad you advised your viewers of the dangers. These lights come from China and are put together with little regard to people’s safety. Firstly the transformer is giving an AC voltage not a DC as you where measuring. Try placing your meter in ac mode and measure again. (as I could not see a bridge rectifier) They will run of a half cycle, as leds only conduct in one direction, We run on a 50hz system that’s 50 cycles a second supplying the leds 25hz of on time and 25hz of off time, This is because the try to cut costs and a full bridge rectifier cost more money Even at 90 volts this can kill you. The leds are placed in series to take the total of 90volts, like old xmass tree lights one goes out a segment stop working very dangerous, I for one don’t know you but like your videos I watched. You are funny and likable and I would hate to come to your Channel and see you have passed away. In Australia they would have a transformer with full rectification to DC and the leds conections would be covered in silicon and a glass plate covering the leds to avoid fingers touching the leds. Safety first in Australia. Not dissing you mate love your channel I subscribed earlier. True buddy but what's a life worth. Give me good Ausie stuff first. Got a saying :) The Americans invent it, the Chinese build it and the Australians make it actually work :)

[@platima]

Hey mate thanks for the awesome comment, much appreciated! I am so glad you told me what that fkn red LED is for on the multimeter. I was looking for the instruction manual recently to try to figure it out haha. If you have a look at another comment below, Miloš correctly pointed out that it's 320V, not 32V - I wasn't even reading the meter right. Poor performance of me. I might do a Part 2 of this then, looking more closely at the power supply to see if it's got a few key components like a thermister etc. And yeah I've messed with electronics enough to make sure I'm rubbed soled shoes, only touch it with one hand, and am not grounded with my other hand when messing about. Had a few boots from different power supplies! Cheers

[@twentytwo138]

Hey, does your light still work 5 months later? Have you used it a lot? TS series don't have UV diodes. The FC series have UV diodes. But honestly LED UV don't make much difference, especially with such a low number of them. Usually the LED UV come in wavelength at around 410nm which is barely UVA, it's more like a deep blue spectrum. They are like toys, similar to those invisible UV pens, or money-checking UV lights. You might get a little bit of increased flavor and aroma but that's questionable. And also LED UV diodes don't last as long. The LED UV's just pump up the prices for almost nothing. For the added price you could get supplemental UV that works much better. It's best to add fluorescent UV bulbs, such as reptile lights or specific grow UV lights. Those have both UVB and UVA wavelengths in the range from 310-400nm, which is needed for increasing flavor, aroma, potency and prevents pests and mold. Even further, it is said that you need UVB from 280-288nm to trigger the biological/chemical response from a plant, which will produce more oils and raise the defense system against pests. Currently there is only 1 UV light on the market which produces UVB from 280-288nm but it costs around 120€ per fixture. Reptile UV is the way to go because it's cheaper, safer and you get similar results.

[@platima]

Hey thanks for the awesome information, pinned this comment :D Yeah used it for months now, still works fine! FYI while yes it does not seem to have any UV LEDs - thanks for pointing that out - it does have a lot of output in the ~430nm wavelength. Ref www.mars-hydro.com/mars-tsw-600-led-full-spectrum-hydroponic-led-grow-light. Maybe just BS? Fluro UV bulb to prevent pests and mould is an EXCELLENT idea. Not bothered by the chemical responses since I move my chillies to full sun once they can handle it. Others growing... lavender.. might care though. Thanks again!

[@twentytwo138]

@@platima Thank you, i'm glad to hear that :) I'm always worried about these cheaper lights, lots of reviews said they stopped working or had some electrical hazard. I'm really hesitant to buy them, but it's nice to find a non-sponsored video like yours. The newer FC series has UV diodes in the 380-410nm range. Glad i could provide you some info, just please be careful if you ever use supplemental UVB lights. They can burn the plants if too close, and they should be used only few hours a day instead of the full light cycle. And always wear UV glasses, cover your arms with cloth. Best to turn it off when opening the tent. They can also be useful when slowly preparing the plants for growing outdoors, so they don't get suddenly stressed by the sun. Take care!

[@platima]

@@twentytwo138 yeah I figured UV glasses would be the way to go. And no tent here - I use a whole damn bedroom haha. Just have the window open with a fan for ventillation. Although I doubt that works for everyone 🤣 I did a video on a way cheaper - about half the price - panel, which I've used for months too and is also doing really well (kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6TXiqF7j9OhhKM). If only didn't run AC, I'd prefer this over the Mars Hydro. I think I've got a few now, but the WeeGrow (kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHjLkI2ug7WeZ6M) didn't perform too well. Going to test KingBright next winter I think! Cheers!

[@brettsgarden2348]

This is a good little light it will treat your pepper Right. Enjoy your grow 🍻✌🏻🇨🇦

[@platima]

Cheers mate, just got the WG-600 to test too, which is the cheap knockoff version it seems. Will get onto your content this weekend too, have had it bookmarked since you subbed. Cheers!

[@flummytommy1957]

Couldn't you attach small mirrors to the side to expand the light radius? Instead of the foil optics that hardly reflect! from 60 degrees to about 90 degrees should be possible!

[@platima]

Hey that's a mixed bag! So 60 degrees is pretty much what you want, as one of these is only good for one big plant or 4 small ones. If you spread it too wide, it won't have the lux that you need (luminosity per area). Also the rippled tin creates more of a diffuse spread over 60 degrees, where as mirrors would totally redirect that portion of light. So yeah, could work for some situations, but overall I'd say not ideal for growing plants - probably better for lighting a room!

[@mr_mickals5657]

Draw up diagrams just by blinking ya eyes hahaha... classic

[@platima]

Hahah yep it felt that way. Cheers!

[@bigskeez510ab]

Very good review thank you 🙏🏼

[@platima]

Hey you're very welcome, glad you enjoyed it!

[@jacobdecker7994]

You trying to burn a hole in your roof

[@platima]

😂😂

[@ВалариПетровский]

Why these light gime headache badly ..how stop it?

[@platima]

Unfortunately I don't think you can :( These lights are AC, so actually flicker very fast. It would be worth getting a DC grow light. I can point you towards some if you would like! (Hopefully "Google Translate" works for this reply! hah.

[@kaiit7077]

you're prob looking directly at the light LOL wear sunglasses

[@mickuk9700]

don't touch all the leds are live my friend

[@platima]

A little bit 🤘 Lesson learned

[@tytheplantguy]

This review was odd.😖 Nice try though. 😌

[@platima]

Oh yeah I'm really not great at this hah. Cheers though mate!

[@tytheplantguy]

@@platima You'll get better in time.😌

[@itsaustraliadayeveryday7234]

Well I don't think it was review but a testing with little thought put into the dangers of a crap product. But hes a good man in that he did warn others of the danger. Anyhow he lives to see another day :) Thanks China who knows they might send us a virus , oh crap i'm to late :)

[@MakaveliRapGod]

One led is not working

[@platima]

Hey I had thought that too if you're talking about "5 down 10 across", but it's just an IR LED which the cameras IR cut filter affects so it appears much dimmer. Awesome attention to detail though!

[@OleM-0891]

Yes that hapens on my Mars hydro I think it was faulty Do yout lights stay dimmed when you turn them off try to check if you have dimmed lights on the dark. I think my house have neutral and hot reversed.

[@platima]

@@OleM-0891 hey nah these do not stay dim, but yeah if you turn it off (which cuts the 'live' and it stays dim), it means it's running on neutral, which is very dangerous! This means if there is a physical failure, the whole house can become live and possibly injure/kill someone. I found a smart plug recently with this fault and made a video about it here if you are curious: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4Solq2MqdN1paM

[@OleM-0891]

@@platima this only hapens on lights wity very little led that dont need much power They glow just a tiny but its visible when cut I dont know if i sorted something or i plug it 180° and i reversed to the correct but it doesnt glow anymore when off We use this house about 40 years ago Never hapen nothing bad not even a little shock

[@platima]

@@OleM-0891 hey what I'd recommend doing, if you don't want to get an electrician out is (VERY carefully) plug the + probe from a multimeter into the live pin of an outlet turned off. This should read 0VAC. If it reads anything else, then live/neutral are likely reversed (which can prevent RCDs from working too). Whilst only a qualified electrician should do this, and that is my recommendation, if you do ever connect a multimeter to mains, ensure that you never make contact with the metal yourself, that you are wearing electrically isulated gloves and footware, and that there is nothing else conductive that may come into contact. Otherwise yeah looking in the dark even, I do not see any dim lights. Input shows 0V