Light Movers
Marijuana Horticulture
by Jorge Cervantes
Replicate the movement of the sun through the sky with a motorized light mover. A light mover is a device that moves amps back and forth or in circles across the ceiling of a grow room. The linear or circular path distributes light evenly. Use a light mover to get lights closer to plants. Keep plants at east 12 inches away from a lamp on a light mover. The closer a lamps is to plants without burning them, the more light plants get!
Light movers make bright light distribution more even. Uniform light distribution makes cannabis grow evenly. Budding branches tend to grow toward and around stationary HIDs. These extra tall spikes of buds shade other foliage. More pants receive more intense light with a lamp moving overhead. This is not a substitute for more lumens from an additional lamp. It is a more efficient way to use each HID, especially 1000-watt lamps. A lamp that is directly overhead casts more direct, intense light to a greater number of plants.
Slower-moving light movers are generally more reliable. Fast-moving light movers can cause light weight reflectors to wobble or list.
Light from a stationary bulb always shines with the same intensity in the same spot. If upper foliage shades lower eaves, grows sows and is uneven. Light, received by plants from several directions, shines more intensely on more foliage. The light energy is being processed by more foliage and promotes even growth. In nature, as the sun arc overhead, the entire plant gets full benefit of of the light. Most varieties of cannabis grow into a classic Christmas tree shape. This is the most efficient configuration for the plant’s growth. Light reaches the center of the plant as well as all outside parts.
Commercial light movers supply more intense light to more plants for less money. Growers report that light movers make it possible t use fewer lamps to get the same yield. Light movers increase light coverage by 25 to 35 percent. According to some growers, three amps mounted on motorized light movers will do the job of four lamps.
Motorized light movers keep an even garden profile. The HID draws about 9.2 amperes (A). If this lamp is on a 15 or 20 ampere circuit, you can easily add a light mover that draws one more ampere to the circuit with no risk or overload.
Linear systems move in a straight line simulating the sun’s path through the heavens. A linear system increases intense light to plants in a linear oval. The area covered by a light mover depends on the length of the track and the number of lamps. The systems use a tracks that affixes to the ceiling. The lamp moves back and forth across the ceiling, guided by the track. The lamp is fastened to the mover with an adjustable chain r cord. These units vary in length and the speed at which the lamp travels. Some are designed for one lamp, while others are able to move six lamps efficiently. A six foot linear light mover increases optimum coverage of light from 36 to 72 square feet.
Young clones and seedlings might stretch and become leggy if the lamp travels too far away. Start using the light movers after the plants are 12 inches tall and have several sets of leaves.
Planter boxes or containers on wheels offer a good alternative to light movers. Containers are rotated daily; wheels make this job a snap. Light reaches every corner of the garden without having to move the lamp. This method has a similar effect as moving the lamp overhead, but is more work because all plants have to be moved, rather than only one or two lamps.