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    Black Dog LED Black Dog LED

      • Commercial Growing
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      • Phytomax-3 Commercial LED Grow Lights
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    Home / PhytoMAX-3 Knowledge Center
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    PhytoMAX-3 Knowledge Center


    This guide to PhytoMAX-3 LED grow lights is a brief overview, filled with links to a lot more in-depth information.

    SC versus SP models
    Safety
    Hanging the light
    Recommendations for Footprint Sizes
    Growing tips / maximizing yield
    Cleaning and maintenance
    Issues and questions
    Specifications
    Transitioning plants from other lights

    SP versus SC Models:

    Our PhytoMAX-3 SP professional series of grow lights are identical in every way to the PhytoMAX-3 SC commercial lights, except that they do not include the ETL certification sticker which is required for commercial grows. This allows us to pass the savings from the certification sticker along to customers that do not need it.

    Safety

    • Inspect the light for shipping damage, including any missing or broken LEDs. Do not plug in a light that has suffered shipping damage without consulting us first here or call us at 720-420-1209
    • NEVER look directly at the LEDs while they are on; eye damage may result. They're very bright!
    • We recommend wearing any UV-blocking eye wear such as sunglasses when viewing or working with plants under our lights. PhytoMAX-3 contains UV LEDs, which just like natural sunlight can irritate and damage your eyes.
    • Don't over-load your electrical circuits- two PhytoMAX-3 16S, 20S or 24S lights won't fit on a standard 15-amp, 110V household circuit!
      • For more information and advice, consult your electrician and see our LED grow lights per circuit calculator here.

    Issues and Questions

    Black Dog LED wants you to be satisfied with your PhytoMAX-3 light!

    • Please note that our LED growing lights contain infrared and ultraviolet diodes that are outside of humans' visual range, so it is normal for some of the LEDs to appear dim or unlit.
    • Our lights have a soft-start feature that takes up to 1 minute to achieve full brightness. This is a safety feature to protect your eyes in case you’re looking at the LEDs when they first turn on.
    • If you have any questions or issues with your lights' function, please contact Black Dog LED, not the store it was purchased from. You can:
      • Call us at 720-420-1209
      • Contact us online here

    Hanging your Light

    • We recommend tying a stopper knot at the lose end of the rope to prevent over-extension of each of the ratcheting rope hangers.
      Ratchet rope with knot
    • Ensure that the structure you'll be hanging the light from can support its weight plus some extra for cords, etc.

      Imperial Metric

      Light Weight
      PhytoMAX-3 2S 8 lb3.6 kg
      PhytoMAX-3 4S 17 lb7.7 kg
      PhytoMAX-3 8S 20 lb9.1 kg
      PhytoMAX-3 12S 23 lb10.4 kg
      PhytoMAX-3 16S 39 lb17.7 kg
      PhytoMAX-3 20S 42 lb19.1 kg
      PhytoMAX-3 24S 45 lb20.4 kg
    • Insert a metal hanger clip into the hanging bracket either side of the back of the light. Ensure that both ends of each clip are secure.
    • Clip one end of each of the ratcheting rope hangers to the hanging/anchor point on the ceiling, and the other end to the metal hanger clips attached to the light. The ropes should be hanging straight, not pulling the hanging brackets toward or away from the center of the light.
      Correct hangingIncorrect hanging
    • Adjust the ratchet to hang the light at the recommended height.
    • Ensure there is always a minimum of 6 inches / 15 cm15 cm / 6 inches of clearance on both sides of the light that have vents. Failure to provide adequate clearance can cause the light to overheat. The sides without vents and the top of the light do not require any clearance.
      Minimum fan clearance

    Recommendations for Footprint Sizes

    The footprint recommendations given here are created for photoperiod-sensitive Cannabis or other high-light plants in a square growing area. If your situation is any different (larger, smaller, different crop, etc.) you may need a different footprint size and hanging height.

    For a complete guide to footprint issues, see our guide to the ideal LED grow light setup.

    Imperial Metric

    Light Model Maximum Recommended Vegetative Maximum Recommended Flower Medium Recommended Flower (without CO2)** Smallest Recommended Flower (with CO2)**
    Area
    (feet)(cm)
    Average PPFD*
    (μMol/m2/s)
    H.H.
    (in)(cm)
    Area
    (feet)(cm)
    Average PPFD*
    (μMol/m2/s)
    H.H.
    (in)(cm)
    Area
    (feet)(cm)
    Average PPFD*
    (μMol/m2/s)
    H.H.
    (in)(cm)
    Area
    (feet)(cm)
    Average PPFD*
    (μMol/m2/s)
    H.H.
    (in)(cm)
    PhytoMAX-3 2S 3 x 395 x 95 223207 2157 2.5 x 2.575 x 75 321331 1845 1.75 x 1.7555 x 55 655616 1333 1.5 x 1.545 x 45 892921 1127
    PhytoMAX-3 4S 4.5 x 4.5135 x 135 198205 3280 3.5 x 3.5110 x 110 328308 2566 2.5 x 2.575 x 75 642663 1845 2 x 265 x 65 1004883 1439
    PhytoMAX-3 8S 6.25 x 6.25190 x 190 206207 45113 5 x 5155 x 155 321310 3792 3.5 x 3.5105 x 105 655677 2563 3 x 390 x 90 892921 2154
    PhytoMAX-3 12S 7.75 x 7.75235 x 235 201203 55140 6.25 x 6.25190 x 190 308310 45113 4.25 x 4.25130 x 130 667662 3077 3.5 x 3.5110 x 110 983925 2566
    PhytoMAX-3 16S 8.75 x 8.75270 x 270 210205 63161 7.25 x 7.25220 x 220 305308 52131 5 x 5150 x 150 642663 3689 4 x 4125 x 125 1004955 2974
    PhytoMAX-3 20S 10 x 10305 x 305 201200 77182 8 x 8245 x 245 314311 57146 5.5 x 5.5170 x 170 664645 39101 4.5 x 4.5140 x 140 991951 3283
    PhytoMAX-3 24S 10.75 x 10.75330 x 330 208205 77197 8.75 x 8.75270 x 270 315307 63161 6 x 6185 x 185 669654 43110 5 x 5150 x 150 963994 3689


    * Average PPFD measurements are over the entire footprint, edge-to-edge and corner-to-corner, based on reflective surroundings or adjacent lights.
    ** When growing in an area smaller than the Medium Recommended Flower Footprint, CO2 supplementation is generally required to make full use of the additional light.

    Vegetative vs. Flower
    The Phyto-Genesis Spectrum® in each PhytoMAX-3 light is ideal for both vegetative and flowering growth; only the largest recommended footprint size differs between stages, due to the different daily periods of illumination. You can use the flowering footprint sizes for vegetative growth, although you may need to increase fertilizer and CO2 to make full use of the extra light.
    Maximum Recommended Footprint Size
    This is as much as we recommend stretching our LED growing lights for photoperiod-sensitive Cannabis, but running them over a smaller footprint (to a point) will give a higher yield per square foot. Other crops (including auto-flowering Cannabis ruderalis strains) may have different ideal footprints.
    Hanging Height (H.H.)
    This is the recommended height of the bottom of your PhytoMAX-3 light, measured above the average top of the plant canopy. The higher you hang the light, the bigger (and weaker) its footprint will be; hanging it closer makes the light more intense but also decreases the footprint. To determine the ideal hanging height for any size footprint, use our convenient hanging height calculator!

    PhytoMAX-3 Growing Tips

    There are two important differences when growing with PhytoMAX-3 LEDs:

    • We recommend keeping your growing area 9-10 °F5 °C warmer than you would with other lights (85 °F29 °C for Cannabis) to maximize yield.
      • This is because our lights are designed for plants, not humans.
      • For more information, see our complete study on leaf surface temperature and grow lights.
    • If not growing hydroponically, we recommend using fabric pots with our lights; they allow soil to dry out more quickly since our lights aren't heating it as much. This allows faster nutrient cycling and encourages a better root system.
    • If you are going to burn sulfur in your growing area, remove the lights from the area, or turn lights off and seal in plastic during the sulfur treatment. Failure to do so will void your warranty!

    For a complete guide, see our article on maximizing yield with LED grow lights and our expert growing tips for Cannabis.

    Cleaning and Maintenance

    If your light requires cleaning:

    • Turn off the light and disconnect the power cord.
    • Spray water or a mild glass cleaner onto a soft lint-free towel (NOT onto the LEDs on the bottom of the light!)
    • Gently blot the LEDs with the moist towel until clean. DO NOT RUB THE LEDs!
    • Allow to air-dry, then plug your light back in and turn it on.
    • NEVER spray any liquids directly on or around the LEDs!

    If you are going to burn sulfur in your growing area, remove the lights from the area, or turn lights off and seal in plastic during the sulfur treatment. Failure to do so will void your warranty!

    Specifications

    Imperial Metric

    Common to All PhytoMAX-3 Lights:

    Dimming 0 - 10V, 15% - 100%
    Acceptable voltage range 100 - 277 volts AC
    AC frequency range 50 - 60 Hz
    Operational temperature range -4 to 104 °F-20 to 40 °C
    Spectrum Phyto-Genesis Spectrum® covering 365-750nm, including UV and IR
    Warranty 5 Years
    Certifications CE, FCC, RoHS (the SC models are ETL certified, the SP models are not)
    Power Cord Connection to Light Locking, waterproof, no tools required
    Standard Power Cord Length 8 feet2.4 meters
    Power Cord Options NEMA 5-15, NEMA 6-15, NEMA 7-15, Pigtails
    M.T.B.F > 70,000 hours
    Power Factor > 0.98
    Fans 70,000 hour minimum expected life
    Made in Colorado, USA

    The Phyto-Genesis Spectrum®:

    Phyto-Genesis Spectrum

    Model Specifics:

    Imperial Metric

    Light Wattage (average) Total Fixture Photon Flux (μMol/s) # LEDs BTUs Size (LxWxH)
    (inches)(cm)
    Weight
    (pounds)(kg)
    Amps (average) at
    PBAR (280-800nm) UV (<400nm) PAR (400-700nm) IR (>700nm)
    PhytoMAX-3 2S 100 219 7 201 11 56 341 8.5 x 8.5 x 4.522 x 22 x 11 83.6 1.000.910.830.480.450.430.420.36
    PhytoMAX-3 4S 205 437 15 401 21 112 699 15 x 15 x 4.537 x 37 x 11 177.7 2.051.861.710.990.930.890.850.74
    PhytoMAX-3 8S 410 874 29 802 43 224 1398 15 x 15 x 4.537 x 37 x 11 209.1 4.103.733.421.971.861.781.711.48
    PhytoMAX-3 12S 615 1311 44 1203 64 336 2097 15 x 15 x 4.537 x 37 x 11 2310.4 6.155.595.132.962.802.672.562.22
    PhytoMAX-3 16S 815 1748 59 1604 85 448 2779 19 x 19 x 4.548 x 48 x 11 3917.7 8.157.416.793.923.703.543.402.94
    PhytoMAX-3 20S 1020 2185 73 2005 107 560 3478 19 x 19 x 4.548 x 48 x 11 4219.1 10.209.278.504.904.644.434.253.68
    PhytoMAX-3 24S 1220 2622 88 2406 128 672 4160 19 x 19 x 4.548 x 48 x 11 4520.4 12.2011.0910.175.875.555.305.084.40

    Total flux numbers from integration sphere tests of the entire fixture. Note that total photon flux is the entire photon output of the light (PF / PPF, in μMol/s), and not the measurement at a particular point under the light (PFD / PPFD, in μMol/m2/s). When measured at a particular point, the PFD / PPFD can be much higher or lower than the total photon flux.


    Transitioning Plants From Other Lights

    When switching plants grown under other lights to PhytoMAX-3's Phyto-Genesis Spectrum®, some shock and/or stalling can occur, as with moving plants between any other different lighting situations. Our LED grow lights are very intense and contain UV light (unlike many grow lights), either of which can shock plants not used to such lighting.

    To adapt plants to our lights with as little shock as possible, hang the light at twice the recommended hanging height to start. Each day for about a week you can lower the light by 3-4 inches15-20 cm until it is at the recommended hanging height and your plants have adapted.

    When starting seeds under our lights it is fine to use the normal footprint and hanging height; when seeds germinate they adjust to the lighting conditions they first experience. Raising the hanging height of the light higher than normal during germination can lead to leggy, weak seedlings.

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    Black Dog LED

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    Blackdog LED

    6309 Monarch Park Pl., Suite 103
    Niwot, CO 80503

    720-420-1209
    800-380-2291
    Fax: 720-506-4279

    Office Hours:
    M-F: 9 am - 5 pm
    M-F: After 5 By Appointment
    Sat - Sun: By Appointment

    Products
    • PhytoMAX-2 LED Grow Lights
    • Grow Room Optics
    • Grow Kits
    • Accessories
    Our Technology
    • Unique Science Based Spectrum
    • Superior Yields
    • Case Studies / Testimonials
    • Leaf Surface Temperature
    Education
    • Home Growing
    • Commercial Growing
    • Spectrum / Color
    • Light Measurements / Comparing Lights
    • Product Design
    • Deployment / Installation
    • All Categories
    Quick Resources
    • Growing 101
    • Galleries
    • Growing Calculators
    Blackdog LED

    6309 Monarch Park Pl., Suite 103
    Niwot, CO 80503

    720-420-1209
    800-380-2291
    Fax: 720-506-4279

    Office Hours:
    M-F: 9 am - 5 pm
    M-F: After 5 By Appointment
    Sat - Sun: By Appointment

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