Light Emitting Ceramic technology is getting a lot of attention from indoor growers, and we thought it would be great for our customers to know a bit more about these innovative lighting systems.
What:
Light Emitting Ceramics are a new iteration of the classic HID (high-intensity discharge) lamps.
The superior ceramic tube allows the bulb to burn at a higher temperature, creating light much closer to the sun’s*. Being able to operate more efficiently at higher temperatures means a boost in performance, quality of light, lamp color-shift, and spread stability.
*Not going into too much science, but the sun has a CRI (color rendering index) of 100, LECs have 80-96 CRI, with 80 considered excellent. (HPS bulbs average around 22 CRI while normal MH bulbs average 65-70 CRI).
How:
In our industry, most lighting is “bright” in terms of lumen output. Lumens, however, measure brightness in terms of human perception. Plants on the other hand, perceive light in the amount of energy the light is valued at based on wavelength.
Light spectrum is important, because different wavelengths carry vastly different amounts of energy. The shorter blue, violet, and ultra-violet wavelengths carry more energy, while orange, red, and far red have longer wavelengths, but less energy.
Plants evolved to use the entire range of sunlight – both short and long wavelengths. Changing seasons bring different light spectrums, as blue light mimics spring and summer (for veg) and red light mimics late summer and fall (for flowering).
Why:
– One bulb (3100k bulb) provides the full light spectrum, so it can be used for both veg and bloom stages.
– Bulbs only need to be replaced about once every 2 years, instead of every year.
– LEC ballasts use a more efficient square wave frequency (for those interested in physics) that allows for a much smoother, more efficient firing rate*.
*Curious to see? Come in to our store and your phone to take a picture of the light and compare it to other ballasts and light sources. The more bands you see, the slower the firing rate.
– Because of lower heat output, LECs are perfect for small spaces like tents, closets, etc.
Consider this: one 1000w HPS creates 3500 BTUs of heat that need to be cooled per hour. Now with two 315w LECs (or 630 watts), you only have to account for 2205 BTU.
Notes:
Only used ballasts designed to work with these bulbs, NO DIGITAL BALLASTS
These bulbs are designed to be EITHER horizontal or vertical, not both, and no angles between 90 and 180
Tip to success: many gardeners report better success with use of Silica nutrients. These bulbs make plants grow fast and silica is involved in cell division and overall plant strength.
Anatoliy says
Great information for this light. This is what we will be using in our grow room.
Alexander Maple says
in thenotes, what do you mean only used ballasts will work with this? is that a typo?
ashley says
Yes, it is a typo – sorry about that. It should read “Use” not “Used”.
Corey Ray says
Can you please compare these to LED and the watts used and BTU’s put off by two of them? I really think its time everyone that says they are doing their best to save this planet actually step up and close This gap. Growers go LED, the technology is here, I have seen the PAR. Switching from HPS to LED can save upwards of 65% of the energy being used. And that’s not even counting the heat that is coming off of those lamps that has to then get blown off by another electronic device, using more watts of energy to blow hot air into the atmosphere! So like I said, those of you that are marching to the green, eating nuts and hugging trees. This is a no brainer, it’s Time to step it up. Growers, quit pumping heat and wasting energy to produce the same crop. The money you save will pay for the lights if you let someone set it up for you properly. Then the savings is revenue. Bottom line is get out from under those hot lamps. Advancing Hydroponics is just that, advancing, don’t be afraid to move out of the soil. LED is the best medium of hydroponic lighting.
Brett says
What distances should the LEC lights range from, when in vegetation and bloom? Should it be the same for the entire cycle? Not regarding the heat, or lack of heat, that the LEC lights put off, but as far as getting the most out of them. Thanks
Mark says
Thanks for the easy to understand break down of LEC’s! Very informative without being to techy!
Tig O'Bitticus says
I used to run 2 600w hps. Then I switched to 2 600w (1000w comparable) led lights. Now im using 3 315w lec lights.
Hps runs way too hot in my opinion. You often spend more money on air conditioning than you do running those lights. Just the power bill would make you shard a wet nugget.
Leds deliver great quality, but lack the intensity to produce much bulk. Very easy to manage the heat, but still runs warm. Its a great light and there are no bulbs to change. I moved to the leds cause I was tired of using hps. There had to be a better alternative out there. Leds are almost there. They just cost too damn much.
Lec delivers all around great product. The light itselfs seems way more natural, more like the sun. Not orange like that of the hps, or pink/purple like leds. Its a full spectrum light, just like our sun. It only runs 315w so it doesnt radiate much heat. I have 1 fan hitting the light and 1 air scubber with a 100 cfm fan pulling air out of my 3×3 tent. With just the 2 fans, the environment maintains 85 degrees on the hottest days without any air conditioning.
As far as my preference goes between the lights. I prefer the lec just for the fact that I dont have to run any additional air conditioning to cool the environment. I turn on fans instead. As for quality. I delivers a product superior to the Hps light, and on par with the led. As for quantity, it rivals the numbers of the most efficient hps lighting systems. My 3 light set up of lecs produces more product than my 2 600w hps ever did. And at a much higher quality. But also bear in mind I completely eliminated my cost to cool my environment.
I would recommend atleast trying it out for yourself. You will be pleasantly surprised. It pretty hard to step away from something you know is tried and proven true. But you will never find out if there is anything else better out there if dont atleast try. I tried it out, now Im lec all the way.
I hope this helps anyone looking to try something new.
Khris says
I use 3, 1k watt ballasts on a “Double Ended” and it’s hard for me to believe I’ll get the same yield. Will it rival “Double Ended” tech??
Ihatetheballast says
What about the ballast is the ballast necessary for cooling . I bought one and the amps used by the ballast mess me up. Does lec produce more heat.
Ihatetheballast says
Heres my take the led i am considering is 900 watts with actual watts of 418 watts. If for lec the ballast is 3 amps and light 3 amps in a 15 amp circuit you lose potential for additional lights. Please comment I appreciate feedback and just trying to make an educated decision
ashley says
We have noticed that the LEC are a bit hotter than mh/hps. The air cooled LECs are the way to go if you are having heat issues, but are about as much as the Kind 750. We’re not exactly sure what you are specifically asking, but the yields will be higher under LEC than LED. Hope that helps!
Anthony says
I am running 4 630’s in my room with a 2 ton ideal air mini split unit. I read above a single 630 unit only puts out 2205 BTU of heat. Is that the non air cooled version? I am having some problems with the heat getting above optimal range and it may be my thermostat which is just a basic thermostat with a probe. 2205×4= is only 8820. The 2205 figure must be for lights only and not including ballast. Am I correct? Even if I double that number it only comes out to 17,640 which is 73.5% of the total capacity of the air conditioning unit.
ashley says
Hi Anthony, It could be your thermostat. From what we’ve read, those 4 x 630w give off around 10,000 BTUs so your AC should be big enough to cool the room. Do you have air cooled CMHs? You might need to have some ventilation hooked up just as a supplement during the summer. Also if you have this in an attic you could be generating more heat than you need since heat rises. Hope this helps!
yo mama says
Whats the point of the carbon filter when growing cucumbers? hahaha! 😉
william mccann says
just got my first – 315 watt lec boss -got 3x3x60 inch high tent in basement which is 64 degrees, and a 250 cfm fan, will i have issues with heat???
ashley says
Hi William, that fan should be fine to cool down one 315w LEC. Best of luck with your grow!