Here is our PAR test machine.
do you guys have any suggestions... how do you want us to test it...
Hey Sara,
I would like to make a suggestion for how you do your PAR readings. These are some of the better layouts that I have come across.
I would suggest making a 4'x4' grid and doing readings every 6" out from the center of the light, 2' each way for a total spread of 4'x4'. I would suggest for each light making a 4'x4' grid for different heights, most common I see are 12", 18", 24", 30" and 36".
See this photo... (these charts are from growers house, and only posted for a reference to sara of a good layout format.
Another really nice feature to add to the charts I have only seen done by Osram but it really helps give a visual of the output at different intensities. I would suggest having areas shaded in different colors like red, orange, yellow, green...etc... each color represents a intensity... for instance the area shaded red would be >1500uMol/m2/s-1, Orange would be >1000uMol/m2/s-1, Yellow would be 500uMol/m2/s-1 and green would be 250uMol.
You also could label them in a color index like this.
For Cannabis and sun loving plants
RED= Peak Photosynthesis Saturation Point (>1500uMol/m2/s-1)
Orange= Optimal Flowering Intensity with added CO2 (>1000uMol/m2/s-1)
Yellow= Optimal Flowering Intensity without added CO2 (>500uMol/m2/s-1)
Green= Optimal VEG intensity for >=18hr daylight schedule (>250uMol/m2/s-1)
Osram did a nice job with their chart on this aspect, but the number layout is a bit confusing which is why I though the first photo has a better 4'x4' chart. (Again, photo is posted only as a suggestion for Sara, and in no way meant to be an advertisement, as I have no affiliation with any of these companies)
Anyhow, I hope this helps give you an idea of what would make a good layout. By doing it this way, not only are growers able to correctly chose their LED lights for their grow area, but also based on light schedule and also plant species. It also will give a very accurate plot of the actual footprint which is ideal, at multiple heights eliminating the questions of "how high should I hang it" or "what size do I need for my grow area".
Awesome Li-Cor!!! I'm just slightly jealous