CFL's and Light Meter

15 years ago

Hi Guys

I am currently using artificial lighting to supplement daylight for a 2ft ficus tree I have. I originally bought a 60W Agrosun Dayspot Incandescent from the nursery (before I joined this site!) So I have since kept the hood and replaced the incand. with a 19w CFL (= to 75 watt incand.)

It's a daylight CFL with 840 lumens and 5500K spectrum.

I only need it for supplemental lighting in the winter on days when the sun doesn't want to come out and play. Now the question I have is that this water meter I bought also has light meter to which with my agrosun dayspot incand. bulb would read 1000ftc but now my CFL is barely reading 200ftc....is this reading based on heat or actual light?

I just want to make sure my CFL switchout was a good move.

On days when the sun is out the meter reads over 1000 ftc easy.

Thanks for your help

Curtis

Comments (4)

piedmontnc
15 years ago
Flourescents provide the most light just a few inches from the bulb, which is usually not a problem since they do not generate as much heat as incandescents, HPS, and MH's. Try taking your readings closer to the bulb and then move your plant closer accordingly.
ces797
Original Author
15 years ago
You are correct...the meter did go up in fc when i moved it closer to the bulb but it did not reach the 1000fc point until it was almost touching it. The incandescent would show 1000fc at two feet from the bulb.
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wordwiz
15 years ago
I am using some 105 watt, 5000K CFL bulbs and a foot from the bulb I'm getting about 6,500 lumens (ft.c.).

Mike
colokid
15 years ago
Been watching every thing about lights.
Just went and measured my 48 watt red/blue LED. 1 foot square one. It runs about 1000 to 1200 fc at about 6 inches. Hard to measure up close because the LEDs tend to pinpoint the light and give varying readings --up to about 2000fc.
Just FWIW, Not sure if my meter is reliable or even what I am doing.
Kennyp