What's the purpose of adjustable wattage on led lights?

[Raggedy Man]

The obvious answer to me, although maybe not correct, is because with smaller shorter grow tents you don't have the height to move the light further away from young plants. In my case I have more than enough room, is there any benefit or reason for lowering the intensity?

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

The obvious answer to me, although maybe not correct, is because with smaller shorter grow tents you don't have the height to move the light further away from young plants. In my case I have more than enough room, is there any benefit or reason for lowering the intensity?

Hi @Raggedy Man Welcome to AFN .

I guess the real question is this a 3000 watt light or a 30 watt light which would make the answer more obvious. When plants are showing signs of light stress, tacoed leaves, bleaching or very squaty growth it can help to raise the light or turn it down some. Most peeps don't have enough light so in that case there is no need to turn it down. I run my COBs at about 50% power, It is plenty of light and COBs are much more efficient when run at lower power.

 

[Raggedy Man]

Hi @Raggedy Man Welcome to AFN .

I guess the real question is this a 3000 watt light or a 30 watt light which would make the answer more obvious. When plants are showing signs of light stress, tacoed leaves, bleaching or very squaty growth it can help to raise the light or turn it down some. Most peeps don't have enough light so in that case there is no need to turn it down. I run my COBs at about 50% power, It is plenty of light and COBs are much more efficient when run at lower power.

I thought I was missing out on some "higher purpose" since it's an often asked question and I saw no purpose to it in my situation.

 

[Arthur]

9 seedlings don't need or want 100% of flowering light. 450w over 24 hrs is over double the energy cost for the first 2 weeks for me in a 4x4. Not a biggie, but I'm in CA. Power is .29 a KWH. AND it might get turned off if there's a breeze. First two weeks I'm at 200w, and the light stays at flowering height. Less power, less work.

 

[IndoorTropics]

9 seedlings don't need or want 100% of flowering light. 450w over 24 hrs is over double the energy cost for the first 2 weeks for me in a 4x4. Not a biggie, but I'm in CA. Power is .29 a KWH. AND it might get turned off if there's a breeze. First two weeks I'm at 200w, and the light stays at flowering height. Less power, less work.

Nice to see this comment. I had assumed the same but wasn't sure on specifics exactly. I started with 200w of Mars SP at 30", now running 300w of the Mars TS at 22" over 6 seedlings as wasn't sure the 230w was enough hehe. Not bothered to use the dimmers yet but prob will change my mind once i see my first electric bill. Will continue with 300w for now and continue to slowly lower it till about 18" lowest during the first 4-5 weeks. Then up it to a total of 550w during flower, continue to lower and might dim slightly if heat becomes an issue.

 

[Arthur]

A couple three hundred watts, while a pretty big add, is about the draw of an average refrigerator.
But... I live in California, energy here is running 29 cents a KWH.
Little did I realize I would become my father, going around the house turning off all the lights.