Lighting Light Rail/ Agramover

[HelioCenturion]

Hey, I have the option of customizing a grow tent for a 20'x 24' room... Im going to build a 15'x 20' grow tent (dimensions are subject to change) and I have recently been researching Light Rails, and Agramovers (which are just "industrial" strength Light Rails)...
I have discovered that since theyre a relatively "new" concept, that there's not too terribly much information out there.... Aside from distributors touting their efficacy, and relative science behind them.. I have found few testimonials...
The way that I understand it (thus far) is that the moving light subsidizes the use of more stationary lights by covering a larger area with essentially the same amount of PAR, and distributing lumens equally (though not constantly) across the canopy... thus allowing you to have fewer lights, more plants, in a larger area... (I know you cant substitute the amount of lights by THAT much by having them be mobile) but there in lies my dilemma.... HOW MUCH?
I have not been able to find any templates, or real guidelines on setting up mobile lighting to absolute efficiency/ efficacy...
I hae heard a few say that if you increase the light spaca/ footprint 2fold (from 4x4 to 4x8) that your outer plants may suffer, and not recieve as much light...

I am making a custom Grow Tent (from wholesale material/ + PVC) so the dimensions are up to me... and Im trying to grow 75 plants with 6 1000W MH/HPS (and 2000W CFL equally distributed throughout)

My question is... how much running space can I get out of each light (which will ultimately solidify my tent dimensions) I have thought of two configurations that might work... but really I am worried that I dont have enough light...

120,000Φv x 6 = 720,000 Φv / 75 plants = 9600Φv per plant
720,000Φv / 300(2) (15' x 20') = 2400Φv per ft(2)....

(I realize that measuring luminous flux Φv{Lumens} and
luminous intensity Iv {Candelas}
is not the most accurate way to measure the amount light waves emitted... but its a helpful template to reference the amount of µmol you obtain through PAR)

So with 6 stationary lights, staggered throughout my grow area I will produce 720,000Φv which is 7200Φv per meter(2) without (reflectors/ supplementals)
which is pushing it....
So in short... Im just wondering the overall distributable efficacy of making my lights mobile (i.e how long can I make my tracks without losing light on a specific are of my plant??)

I can either do it this way or this way
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Any knowledge or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Thanks

 

[InHumboldt]

The moving light that I saw in Garberville back in 88 shows how long it has been adapted by pot growers. You have a few added principles involved. Because the light shines from multiple angles on the plant for each pass you have greater penetration. The big theoretical gain is hitting the plant for a short period with high power light then letting it process the energy-if the light comes back before the end of the refractory period then the plant produces the same as if it were lit continuously. Now how much of the latter effect can be realized I don't know. The shuttling light also reduces hot spots photaic and thermal.

 

[JM]

From my understandings... you can get about 90% yields of conventional...

more to come... friend stopped over... but light rails kick ass!

 

[gradolabs]

Yep, your math is intriguing, and I'll see if I can help you crunch some numbers. It's midnight, so tomorrow we can calculate the umol density of a moving fixture, and % of the time plant x is exposed to n lumens. But you need to measure your spectrum at precise locations. Look in the tips and tricks section for diy spectroscopy instructions.

 

[gradolabs]

The moving light that I saw in Garberville back in 88 shows how long it has been adapted by pot growers. You have a few added principles involved. Because the light shines from multiple angles on the plant for each pass you have greater penetration. The big theoretical gain is hitting the plant for a short period with high power light then letting it process the energy-if the light comes back before the end of the refractory period then the plant produces the same as if it were lit continuously. Now how much of the latter effect can be realized I don't know. The shuttling light also reduces hot spots photaic and thermal.

Hot spots = spectral highlights. aka lens flares.

 

[InHumboldt]

Reflective materials such as Mylar can form them too.

 

[gradolabs]

Word. And material science has also lead us to spectralon, barium sulphate, and teflon. All three reflect 90+% of light vs mylar @ 85%.

 

[InHumboldt]

Teflon? Or has that Teflon been aluminized?

 

[InHumboldt]

I guess that leads me to think that one would need to test the room without the plants through the rails entire range of motion for hot spots if the room used reflectors.

 

[gradolabs]

Teflon? Or has that Teflon been aluminized?

Teflon sheets exhibit this property. They're rare though - it's an expensive dupont compound. Its mostly used for non stick coatings on cookware. But if you happen to have some it's nearly perfect.