Here are some useful tips for you to differentiate quality products from the below parts: raw materials(hardware)/lifespan/proper spectrum/real technical data.

Raw materials:

1.Passively cooled aluminum profile:

This is fundamental hardware. Why? Consider you have the same Samsung or Osram or Lumileds etc. Led chips, Meanwell or Inventronics, etc. Led drivers, but the heat dissipation is poor, the light decay is severe in an overheated environment and greatly affects its lifespan.

So how does a good passively cooled aluminum profile looks like?

a) material (purity, thickness, processing accuracy, etc.) and manufacturing process (casting cracks, shrinkage, etc.) of good or bad, poor material, and rough defective process, will directly lead to the thermal conductivity of the radiator.

b) surface roughness and flatness of the radiator contact surface, directly affecting contact thermal resistance and pressure drop.   

c) Radiator with disc-type springs should ensure that after 24 hours of flattening, the free height should be stable; otherwise, the spring may fail after a period of use, which will lead to poor contact between the radiator and the tube core.

b)Let’s make it simple to make an easy conclusion: 1. Ensure the aluminum profile temperature no more than 70℃(158℉), PCB temperature no more than 80℃(176℉), SMD Tc temperature no more than 100℃(212℉), please pay attention those data are based on lamps working over 4 hours.

2.SMD:

Samsung or Osram is the popular choice, yet more and more brands from China are devoting to make the qualified LED, which is also becoming the replacement for the above brands with good quality but less cost. So how can you understand the quality of these brands? Here are some tips for you:

a)Does this brand with LM-80 test report from the international laboratory?

LM80 determines a test method by which a batch of LEDs is tested at a specified drive current and ambient temperature. At intervals during the test luminous flux, and CCT is measured. At least 2 ambient temperatures are used in the test: 55°C, and 85°C. The LEDs are operated at these temperatures and a specific drive current for a period of 1000hrs. The LEDs are taken from the oven, cool to 25°C ambient, and their light output characteristics are measured. The LEDs are then placed back in the oven, and the process is repeated for a minimum of 6000hrs (approximately nine months). The endpoint of the extrapolation is typically 70% of the initial light output. ( Yet the initial light value the higher, the better)

b)The parameters of the LEDs, the PPE, PPF, PBAR, etc. Except for the parameters what else you can further understand the quality?

The size of the chips, such as 3535 and 2835 SMD, is the most popular SMD. If the chip size for 3535SMD be 55mil or higher and 2835 with double chip 22*35mil, that means it’s a qualified LED which could bring adequate efficacy for light output. If the SMD chip size is smaller than this, say 3535 in 42 or 45mil and 2835 in 17*34mil or less, the final efficacy is insufficient to support good light output, so do the final yields.  

c)The stents of the SMD, the good quality SMD they’re using brown cooper bracket to ensure the heat dissipation of the SMD.

d)The welding wire usually be 99.9% purity gold and the thicker the gold wire, the better heat dissipation and the longer the life span is.

e)The glue of the SMD is important cos it will largely affect the light decay and color drift, try to ensure they’re using notable brand overseas.

Yes, there are other factors you can go further for the SMD quality. However, if you can ensure the above parameters, you can 95% ensure you can get the qualified LED.

3.Led Driver

Some brands such as Meanwell, Inventronics, Sosen are qualified.

4.Production Process

a)Does this factory is abode by ISO9001:2005 quality standards and follow the international manufacturing standards?

b)Does this factory have a strict raw materials checking process to ensure each production is on the same manufacturing process?

c)Does this factory with standardized production workflow processes train its workers to perform well in each process?

d)Does this factory with a strict aging-test process to ensure the quality of the final products?

e) This factory with vibration and drop tests for products ensures the goods are well performed in your hand.

Lifespan

The average lifespan of a qualified LED grow light be impressive 50,000 hours(or 5 years warranty). However, the light efficiency will be decreasing under improper control.

1)What affects LED lifespan?

Except for the temperature of the lamp, the environment temperature will largely influence the lifetime of an LED lamps. Normally the environment temperature should be no more than 28℃(82.4℉) to ensure the light be well-performed in a stable condition.

2)Take care of your Light when not in use

Instead of leaving the lights on when your crops are not in use, try to shut off if it’s not necessary; consider this is equipment needs your caring and the lifespan will benefits greatly from your little conscious management. Tips: Find a supplier who could offer an intelligent system that could help the light switch ON/OFF automatically.

This is all for today and stays tuned. I will specify more detailed information in the next article.

Written by Xylia

2021/06/29 19:00

U Plant Light (Focus on horticultural lighting since 2014)

www.lnled.net

Email: [email protected]