HPS vs. LED: Which is better?HPS vs. LED: Which is better?HPS vs. LED: Which is better?

HPS was the traditional form of lighting that existed before the advent of LED. LED lighting has now supplanted HPS lighting in the U.S. as the dominant form of lighting. LED’s ability to save energy and its flexibility for a variety of lighting applications drove this change. In the future, nearly all light sources will be LED. There are already government regulations which are mandating this.

How long do LED’s last compared to HPS lights?

HPS was the traditional form of lighting that existed before the advent of LED. LED lighting has now supplanted HPS lighting in the U.S. as the dominant form of lighting. LED’s ability to save energy and its flexibility for a variety of lighting applications drove this change. In the future, nearly all light sources will be LED. There are already government regulations which are mandating this.

Will any LED light work as a grow light?

Yes, but with limitations. The ideal light for growing is a light that is custom made for growing specific plant strains. There are many different types of LED diodes, all of which can be powered differently. Each plant strain has its own ideal light spectrum. LED lights can be configured for that specific light spectrum.

What is the purpose of the green light?

Green light will not harm or change the plant’s grow cycle. Therefore, it permits a grower to work in the grow environment without disturbing the plants. But not any green light can accomplish this. Only a green light with a specific nanometer value can be used for this purpose.

What’s UV used for?

UV light strains the plant, which, in turn, increases the resin and turpine production in certain plants. It has been proven to be a distinct benefit in growing cannabis related plants. Rapidgrow’s UV is embedded into the actual printed circuit board of the light source providing maximum flexibility.

How far do I hang my LED Light from the plants?

The distance between the plant’s canopy and the light source depends on the type of light you have and the type of plant you are growing. Specifications like the PAR value you need for your plants will be a key determining factor in that distance. Also, if you have a technology platform like Pangea, you can use that software to change PAR values for different plant cycles which will also make determining a proper height easier.

How do I decide which fixture to buy?

There are specific fixtures which are ideal for Veg only, both for Veg and Flower, for Greenhouses and for multi-stacked grows as opposed to single stacked grows. Once you determine what kind of grow you are building, you can select a fixture specifically tailored to your requirements. Rapidgrow has products for all of these applications.

What makes RapidGrow lights different from other LED grow lights?

No two grows are alike. Each grower has his or her own idea about what is needed for a successful grow. Hence, one size does NOT fit all!

Because Rapidgrow manufacturers each lighting product to order, based on our customer’s individual requirements, it offers a custom solution for your grow. Rapidgrow stocks nothing. Everything is made to order for each customer. Our competitors tend to purchase large quantities of the same light to stock their shelves hoping that their particular purchase is right for your grow. Rapidgrow provides products individually tailored to your grow environment.

Is Lumen output important?

Lumen output is a traditional term for how much light a light source emits. In agriculture, more important lighting measurements such as PAR (photosynthetic active radiation) are used to determine if a lighting product is right for a specific grow.

What is a Lighting Layout?

Lighting professionals who have access to a laboratory can virtually determine what the lighting levels of a particular fixture will be in a given environment. Prior to purchasing lighting for a grow, it’s always best to commission such a layout to ensure that you will have the right amount of light in the right places for your grow. Rapidgrow has this kind of a lighting laboratory so you can take the guesswork out of our lighting requirements.

What type of plugs are offered?

Because it is a manufacturer, Rapidgrow can design your light fixtures with whatever type of plug or interface you require.

Can RapidGrow lights be daisy chained?

Yes. To have fixtures daisy chained, you need to specify this to Rapidgrow when you are in the proposal stage. That way we can ensure that the proper wiring, hardware and plugs are installed for a daisy chain.

Can RapidGrow lights be daisy chained?

Yes. To have fixtures daisy chained, you need to specify this to Rapidgrow when you are in the proposal stage. That way we can ensure that the proper wiring, hardware and plugs are installed for a daisy chain.

Do your lights come with dimming options?

Yes. You can either dim the fixtures manually, by using a 3rd party system with an RJ12 interface or do so using the Pangea Software Technology platform.

What controllers work best with Rapidgrow LED fixtures?

Rapidgrow fixtures can be equipped with the optional RJ12 plug to accommodate most wired control systems. Or you can install the wireless Pangea Software Technology platform for a much simpler, enhanced experience.

What are your lead times?

Lead time will vary with the availability of components. Because Rapidgrow is a manufacturer, once components are available, lead times for the fabrication and assembly of a light fixture can be accomplished very quickly.

How do I get a sample light?

Talk to your Rapidgrow sales representative about the availability of sample lighting.

What’s better: Mid-power chips or High-power chips?

There are different chips which are appropriate for different types and stages of grows. High power chips, for example, can be used for the Veg cycle of specific plants. Mid-power chips are best for the flowering phase of many plant cycles. Rapidgrow offers both in whatever configuration you need.

What is the Pangea Software Technology Platform?

Pangea is a wireless control system for your grow lighting. It can also control other key aspects of your grow such as measuring temperature, humidity, PAR levels and CO2 using optional sensor technology.

Can Pangea alert me if there is a problem with my grow?

Absolutely. By adding sensor technology to Pangea, any time a key indicator goes out of spec, an alert can be sent to any individual so that quick action can be taken to correct the problem. You never have to worry if something is going wrong because Pangea can monitor your grow 24/7.

Can Pangea save me from having to find and hire people to tend my grow?

Yes. Remember, Pangea can monitor every part of your grow at all times. With optional sensor technology, it can alert you to problems. This replaces individuals who you would hire to visually walk through the grow recording information and looking for problems. Pangea is a labor saver that never takes a lunch break!

Can I add the basic Pangea system to my existing lights?

No. Pangea is built into the Rapidgrow light fixture at the factory.

If I have the basic Pangea platform, can I add sensors and other utilities later?

Yes. It’s simple to add functionality to the basic Pangea platform. Think of Pangea as an iPhone. You can add “Apps” at any time because of Pangea’s open architecture technology.

Can you save information about a successful grow in Pangea?

Yes. Pangea was built so that if you have a successful grow, you can name and save those specifications for the grow, call it up from memory and repeat those same specifications for future grows. This ensures that you can repeat a successful grow again and again.

How does your rebate program work?

Each utility, state and locale have their own rebate programs. Rapidgrow can help you with any rebates which might be available in your area. Just speak with your Rapidgrow sales professional about Rapidgrow assisting you with rebates.

How long is the warranty period on my RapidGrow LED lights?

Warranty periods depend on the light fixture and the environment the fixture is in, the presence of heat and water and other factors.

How do I return a light source if there is an issue?

Rapidgrow has an easily accessible warranty team that can help you with returns.

What if I have a problem in my grow? Is anyone available to help me?

Rapidgrow has a field services team which you can access for questions, troubleshooting and assistance with problems.