I mean, you get what you pay for I guess? I have Chinese lights made with Chinese and Korean components, 2000w equivalent draws 235 actual watts but emits the equivalent lumens of 2000w worth of HID lighting, which is what that number means. Not the wall draw. The 10x factor "error" you are seeing is basically true draw vs observed output when compared to HID.
Granted, I paid $300 a pop for mine, they are no joke, and they take me right through harvest. Check out spiderfarmer panels.
I have some cheap sweatshop $25/23w panels that I'd estimate come in around a 150w HID equivalent and absolutely love them for seedlings, and an equally unfair-trade $65/40w/300w equivalent that is currently keeping a pair of 5 foot tall mother plants pretty happy.
Use your tools wisely, and be ready to spend real money on quality equipment.
As an aside, if you're using lights like that, don't waste your time on co2. Your next big investment should be lighting, as it is currently your limiting factor, not atmospheric gas levels
Thanks for the reply!
I bought these specifically to see if cheap Chinese lights were even close to what they are rated (400/600 Watts HPS or 1200 Watts LED). The results were disappointing even for the insanely priced 1200 Watt lights.
Of course I understood what I was buying, and why, and I wanted to know. I get the wall draw, however, using the PAR/LUX meter told me exactly what I was wondering about these lights, in this price range.
Now ya'll know!
I didn't mention that these are the lights that I use for any kind of primary lighting, my goals for these purchases were clear. My primary in the tent mentioned is seen in the photo.
With the set up I have in there, I think I'll continue using Co2. Lighting, is, in fact, not my limiting factor. My environment is dialed in. Additionally, this has nothing to do with work.
These types of things are questions and techniques that I mess with in my personal grow. Of course some will say that one should already somehow know not to purchase these types of Chinese lights, ( not components built elsewhere), however, after reading numerous posts and questions here, it seems that many don't have that clairvoyant power!
So I'll continue to make odd purchases, try 'em out, and report my findings!
Thanks again for the reply!
