LED Gardener
    Solar Powered Lighting
         There are few things we can count on in the world today, but one of them
    is that the sun will come up every morning providing a source of energy that
    does not pollute the environment.  The sun is about 93 million miles away
    but it creates enough energy every minute to meet all of our energy needs.  
    It is a relatively recent achievement to harness this power, and technology
    enabling us to do so is advancing rapidly.  
            It is not necessary to power your led grow lights with solar power, but it
    sure is easy.   Below is a breakdown of the LEDs as they relate to solar
    power.  For those of us that don't speak the lingo- this information is easily
    translated by your local solar supply store.  The numbers per bar are: 400
    mA if powered by 24VDC direct, drawing 9.6 watts. When working with
    photovoltaic/battery setups, it is infinitely desirable to not use a power
    converter.  Typical PV/battery setups are for homes which need 120 vac
    power- so they design the setup to have PV panels, batteries, and a power
    inverter to change the 12-24VDC panel voltage to 120VAC house voltage.  
    The inverter has at best a 60-70% efficiency, meaning that you lose up to
    40% of the power from your PV panels.  LED Grow Master led grow lights
    run on 24VDC, which are readily available in most locales or on the internet.  
    A power regulator is needed, because PV panels output from 22 volts in the
    shade, up to 70 volts in full sun.  The voltage coming into the light bar must
    be regulated to no higher than 24.7VDC.  
            If you are currently using LGM lighting and would like to check that your
    solar system is optimized for led grow lights- please do not hesitate to call us
    toll free
    (in the USA) at 1-866-414-7244.   --AL
                                                
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    Deciphering pH
               In the quest for perfect plants, pH is an important consideration.  This
    is especially true if you are using the NFT system.  If the pH is not at the
    proper level- plants will lose their ability to absorb nutrients.  For many
    gardeners new to the system, obtaining the optimum PH level will often
    represent the first challenge.        
              The pH scale ranges from 1(acidic) to 14(basic or alkaline).  Seven is
    neutral.  Meters are inexpensive and available at most garden supply
    stores.  A change in one pH unit means a tenfold change in hydrogen
    concentration (H+). (According to the Compact Oxford English Dictionary,
    the "p" stands for the German word for "power", potenz, so pH is an
    abbreviation for "power of hydrogen".)  PH will change every day (usually
    going up.)  Over zealous gardeners may be tempted to adjust it daily but
    ultimately this will lead to nutrient problems.  The solution should be tested
    each day for sharp changes but adjusted only every few days. The majority
    of plants will thrive in a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.  When adjusting the pH it is
    important to adjust it slowly, 1/2 to 1 point for each adjustment.  
           Phosphoric Acid (pH Down), and Potassium Hydroxide (pH Up) are the
    two most common methods of changing pH.  When making a fresh batch of
    solution you will want to add the nutrients first and then adjust the pH.  If you
    have soft water you will likely need very little adjustment.  When first using a
    system it is advisable to measure how much pH up or down you use to reach
    your target.  This will simplify future adjustments in your quest for perfection.
    --AL  

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March 1, 2008             Volume 3,  Issue 3

In This Issue
Solar Powered Lighting

Deciphering PH
















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