Multiple daily dark periods

[Gramps]

I am using a 18/6 cycle for my autos, which is working out great over the last several grows...yield wise.

I'm on "time of use" electricity billing so I try and have my daytime period coincide with the least expensive power billing period (peak cost time is double the cost of off peak). Unfortunately that is only for 12 hours continuously before I run into the peak cost period. This lasts for 4 hours before getting back to less expensive power.

What I was considering was having the lights on for the 12 hours of off-peak cost, then off for the 4 hours of expensive power then back on for another 6 hours in the 2nd lower cost period of the day, then off again for another 2 hours of peak cost - then back on for the next cycle.

Looks like this:

7pm to 7am - Lights on (12 hours)
7am to 11am - Lights off (4 hours)
11am to 5 pm - Lights on (6 hours)
5pm to 7pm - Lights off (2 hours)

Does anyone have experience or comments with autos running on this sort of cycle with 2 dark periods each 24 hours?

 

[automan2]

No idea about multiple dark periods but autos like light anytime they get it....I often run autos on 12/12 as I usually have a photo alongside...sure I may lose a bit of yeild....

 

[bad dragon bzzz]

there was a fad ish thing a few years ago "gas lantern technique" i think it was called.not sure of the outcome
12/12 seems an easy option/half way house :smoking:
good luck n keep er lit

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

I have never tried that? You could run 12/12 by increasing the amount of light by 30% during the 12 hours on. This way you still get the same DLI - Day Light Integral which is what matters.