Why do I want to move my grow lights? By moving your grow lights and getting the plant light to penetrate to all the plant surfaces, more of the plant is working for the yield. In addition, by moving your grow lights, hot spots are eliminated so you can now run your grow lamps much closer to your plants for a much more efficient use of your Ppfd grow light numbers. These two advantages combined make for much healthier plants, faster growth, and much better yields. Here’s an article that goes into the details of what those specific differences are: https://www.lightrail3.com/grow-lamp-bravery-indoor-grow-equipment/
You can also cover 50% more linear area per grow light, so there is a significant savings in electricity, and that’s with a Light Rail Motor that uses only 5 watts. And, there is the grow equipment up-front savings of fewer grow lights needed. Light Rail is rated the number one grow light efficiency product on the market, and that is for all the above reasons. You can only get this with Light Rail by Gualala Robotics.
Why are the light mover Rails 6’6” (2m) when we only need a grow lamp to move three feet? The Rails are 6’6″ (2m) to give versatility. Very young plants don’t need as much grow lamp interaction. The same is true for certain low light plants like lettuce and herbs. In these instances, a person could move their grow light system a little farther so the Rail is there if needed. But yes, typically moving a grow light up to 3’, Switch Stop stopper to Switch Stop stopper, might be just right. That is with half the grow light going beyond that stopper setting with that happening at both ends of the run. For larger 4×4 LED grow lights, the travel distance might be about 4′, Switch Stop stopper to Switch Stop stopper.
More information: https://www.lightrail3.com/light-mover-rails-grow-lamp-move/
How long will a Light Rail grow light mover last? Light Rail light movers are dynamic, continuous duty devices that can operate in very harsh environments. At 16 hours a day, 365 days a year, it will typically last three to four years before it might need a refurbish service. A Drive Wheel might need to be replaced every few year and those are inexpensive items and very easy to replace yourself. Extreme Duty Trolley Wheels as sealed precision bearing carrier wheels are now standard on all Light Rail Motors. And, they are perfect for heavier loads, and they have a lifetime warranty. Light Rail is the light mover made in the USA and designed to last. And, that’s with many Light Rails from the 1990s still in service today. Below are the details that set the Light Rail brand apart.
Brand matters. Light Rail is uniquely made with self-clutch drive design for automatic traction control, and advanced digital controlled circuitry. Light Rail also has a sealed instrument grade drive Motor you can count on for continuous duty.
High standards in manufacturing also include certifications. Authentic electrical ratings are earned, and Light Rail has these electrical certifications: C CSA US or CE, and flammability ratings UL 5 VB, and is RoHS compliant. Light Rail runs at a safe 85 degrees F with a flame retardant electrical enclosure, as it should be. These are safety standards unique to the Light Rail brand.
More information: https://www.lightrail3.com/lightrail-brand-indoor-grow-systems/
Can I change the length of the Rails of my Light Rail light mover? Light Rail 3.5 and Light Rail 4.0 both use the same Rail which is 6’6” (2m) in length. Light Rail 4.20 which is made to move two grow lights inline, with each grow lamp moving on its own 6’6″ Rail, also uses compatible Rails. Then, Light Rail 5.0 has a different Rail width so is NOT compatible with the others for interchanging and its length is 8 feet (2.4 meters). Yes, the length of travel can be set by you with the adjustable Switch Stop stoppers.
Then, for tighter spaces, you can simply use a half Rail. Or, for smaller runs, the length of the Rail can be easily cut for fitting into more exact spaces for a more custom option. Conversely, for a slightly longer run, you can add a 3’3″ (1m) Extender Rail which is pinned on the slide-together end, so allows travel along what is now a 9’9″ (3m) Rail. This might be just right for a greenhouse with natural light present.
Here is an information link: https://www.lightrail3.com/lightrail-light-mover-rail-can-change-length/
Why an adjustable time delay on my Light Rail light mover, and what’s a good setting for that? Without the Light Rail light mover 0-60 second time delay, your indoor grow light would spend more time traveling in the middle of the light mover Rail compared to time spent on the ends. So, the adjustable time delay helps to even out the plant canopy. By setting the 0-60 second time delay for about 30 seconds with a run of about 3 feet (1m), Switch Stop stopper to Switch Stop stopper, you get more even light time for the whole run. A 30 second time delay, which is a half turn of the dial, is a good starting point, and then you can adjust slightly over time. Experiment and see what works best for you.
Note: For larger LED grow lights, a longer time delay of 60 seconds works best for a single grow light moving about 4 feet, stopper to stopper. If you have multiple grow lights inline, you may find you can turn that time delay down a little if there is plant light coming from the next LED grow light inline.
For more specific information: https://www.lightrail3.com/light-mover-rails-grow-lamp-move/
How far can I move my grow light on my Light Rail light mover? Can you move your grow light the length of your room? No, your plants will be waiting too long for the grow light to come back. Moving your grow lamp just three feet (1m) from Switch Stop stopper to Switch Stop stopper is about right for many grow lights. Then, for the larger 4×4 LED grow lights, they can move farther at about 4 feet (1.2m), stopper to stopper. For grow equipment coverage, half the grow light will go beyond the Switch Stop stopper setting, and that happens at both ends of travel. And, light pattern spread will go a little farther. So, an average sized grow light will light up the 6’6″ Rail area with a movement of about 3 feet. Larger LED grow lights will light up about 7 feet or even 8 feet, and that is with a movement of about 4 feet. Farther than that and your plants might be waiting too long for the light to come back. A simple rule is to use your good judgement and never move a grow light too far. https://www.lightrail3.com/three-biggest-myths-light-movers/
How much weight will Light Rail light movers carry? The answer to this is twofold. For Light Rail 3.5 and Light Rail 4.0 let’s first talk about the strength of the Rail then we’ll talk about the Light Rail Drive Motor that moves your grow light. If only mounted by the mounting holes at the ends of the Rail, the Rail will begin to deflect when 35 lbs. (16kg) is in the middle of the rail. If, on the other hand, all the Rails mounting holes are used when mounting the Rail, first to a board, and then the board to the support structure (studs/joists), it will easily handle 75 lbs. We recommend the board mount method and here is a step by step link to show how that is done: https://www.lightrail3.com/free-shareable-ebooks/how-to-set-up-your-lightrail-3-5-or-lightrail-4-0/
Next, the Light Rail 3.5 or Light Rail 4.0 Drive Motor can easily move 75 lbs (34kg). All Light Rail Motors now come with preinstalled Extreme Duty Trolley Wheels as sealed precision bearing carrier wheels which are designed for heavier grow lights. Plus, they have very low drag co-efficiency so they are one more reason Light Rail Motors are absolute workhorses. Light Rail light movers are uniquely made with self-clutch drive design for automatic traction control, and advanced digital controlled circuitry. And, Light Rail has a sealed instrument grade drive Motor you can count on for continuous duty.
Light Rail 5.0 will hold and move 100 lbs (45kgs) per cross arm (limit 3 cross arms per Motor’s movement) but again, the system needs to be mounted to a support structure properly.
For Light Rail 3.5 or Light Rail 4.0, the Light Rail Auxiliary Trolley can carry your vent tubing and move along your Rail in unison with your Light Rail Motor. This works best to have the vent tubing in line with the Rail. You would simply tie a bungie or cord around the tubing and then fasten it to the Auxiliary Trolley to move as your grow light moves. The Auxiliary Trolley can also be used as a cord keeper to help organize power cords.
Article with photos: https://www.lightrail3.com/lightrail-light-mover-trolley-three-clever-hacks/
For Light Rail 5.0, balance is key and if the unit isn’t completely balanced and that’s with the addition of vent tubing, you will likely have trouble. Still, there are a few tricks to help, so contact us for schematics.
Can I power Light Rail from my ballast? If you still use a ballast, no, you cannot do this. This will damage the Light Rail circuit board, and your Motor will not run until it is repaired in our service department. Also in general, you need to use a proper surge protector. Be electrically aware.
How does an Add A Lamp Kit work and how many grow lights can I move? The Light Rail Add A Lamp Kit uses a second Rail, an Auxiliary Trolley and an Extender Rod (push/pull rod) hooked to your Light Rail 3.5 or Light Rail 4.0 Motor, and this allows you to move a second grow light, and that is inline. You can even move a third grow light by having a second Add A Lamp Kit going off in the other direction, again all inline. That adds up to three grow lights moving inline with just one Motor, and the Motor would be positioned on the middle Rail.
Note: For larger spaces, you move over one row and repeat. Space planning is easy and free, so email us at sales@LightRail3.com or call 970-761-2596 with your dimensions.
Note: Larger 4×4 LED grow lights can also be used as the Light Rail 3.5 using a 40″ RoboBar or with Light Rail 4.0 using a 40″ RoboBar, as well as with the Add A Lamp Kits, each also matched with a RoboBar. In this instance, the Rails would be positioned inline but apart about 3′ (1m), and that is because the larger LEDs cover more area as they move along the Rail. So, these 3′ (1m) gap areas in between the Rails will get plenty of light from both sides. Another setup change is that the Add A Lamp Kit’s Extender Rod (push/pull rod) will attach from RoboBar-to-RoboBar, instead of from Motor to Auxiliary Trolley as with the standard configuration.
You can move a large LED grow light on a Light Rail light mover by simply using the 40” Light Rail RoboBar. The patent pending RoboBar is made for stabilizing the larger 4×4 LED grow lights, and provides perfect support. Compatible with Light Rail 3.5 and Light Rail 4.0 exclusively, the RoboBar dimensions are 40″ x 30″ (102cm x 75 cm), so provides triangulated, acute hanging angles for extra smooth travel along the Rail. The four hanging points provide easy support for any LED grow light including all 3’x3′ (.9m x .9m), all 4’x4′ (1.2m x 1.2m), all oversized rectangular LED grow lights, just any of the larger LED grow lights, all brands/any dimensions. With the RoboBar’s structural support, larger LED grow lights moved on a Light Rail can cover 75% more linear area per grow light.
What’s the difference between Light Rail 3.5 and Light Rail 4.0? Both Light Rail 3.5 and Light Rail 4.0 have adjustable travel distance and they both have a 0-60 second adjustable time delay for the ends of each run. And, they both have the same Rail and they both use all the same accessory items including drive wheels and trolley wheels. But, Light Rail 4.0 has the added feature of a two to four feet (.6 to 1.2 meters) per minute adjustable speed control as it travels along the Rail. Also, Light Rail 4.0 has an adaptable transformer power cord and works with 110v-240v, so is compatible with all countries’ electrical. Light Rail 3.5 has a set speed of four feet (1.2m) per minute and works with 110v, so is compatible with North America for electrical.
Can I hang a Light Rail light mover in a grow tent or greenhouse? Yes, we have Rail Hanger Brackets which are used for hanging Light Rail 3.5, 4.0 and 4.20 Rails in a grow tent or greenhouse. In this instance, we recommend a one-piece Rail or a “splinted” two-piece Rail. You can make a splint by screwing the assembled Rail halves onto a common, single piece of wood. Further information on that along with information on how the Rail Hangers specifically work can be found here: https://www.lightrail3.com/rail-hangers-greenhouse-grow-tent/
So, if you already have your grow tent, that is the product to choose. Even better is the Light Rail Grow Tent with unique, patented design features.
What’s the difference between 10 rpm and 6 rpm? For the difference, 10 rpm equals 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) of travel per minute and 6 rpm equals 2.4 feet (.73 meters) of travel per minute.
Can I hang a Light Rail 5.0 crossbar on a Light Rail 3.5 or 4.0? The lateral stability isn’t there for that and there are balance issues. It would lead to accelerated wear and maybe even catastrophic failure so “no”. If you want to cover a wide space, consider two LightRail 4.20 Kits, parallel to each other, and each moving two lights in line. Here is how that works: https://www.lightrail3.com/lightrail-4-20-industrial-light-mover/
Note: If you have a specialty large wingspan style grow light or a long light bar, that will work just as they are on a Light Rail 3.5 or Light Rail 4.0, evenly balanced for hanging.
Note: If you have a larger 4×4 LED grow light, those will also work with Light Rail 3.5 or Light Rail 4.0, and that’s with the addition of the Light Rail 40″ RoboBar.
How many lights can Light Rail 5.0 move? Light Rail 5.0 can move 9 smaller grow lights or 6 medium grow lights, so 2 or 3 per crossbar. And, that’s with a total of three crossbars (one comes with the Light Rail 5.0 Kit), and one Auxiliary Rail. Here is more product information: https://www.lightrail3.com/lightrail-5-0-side-by-side/.
For larger 4×4 LED grow lights, it is recommended to use a Light Rail 3.5 Kit with 40″ RoboBar or a Light Rail 4.0 Kit with 40″ RoboBar, and then use Add A Lamp Kits for inline movement, each Add A Lamp Kit also paired with a RoboBar.
Why Light Rail light movers and not some other brand? Made in America Matters and Light Rail is solidly built to last. In contrast, Chinese-made knockoffs are inferior and are built to fail, often failing within just a few months. These copy-cat products run at very high temperatures and yet their electrical enclosures are likely made of flammable plastic. And, they often produce electrical motors and components that carry no electrical ratings. Or, they stamp on counterfeit markings. Their materials simply test out to be inferior, and they are flammable. And, for electrical components, they are not grounded. Here is the shocking video proof.
On the other hand, the Light Rail brand is set apart. Only Light Rail is constructed to have a self-clutch drive design for automatic traction control. In addition, it’s manufactured with advanced digital controlled circuitry, and it includes extreme duty trolley wheels as sealed precision bearing carrier wheels. Light Rail also is made with a sealed instrument grade Drive Motor you can count on for continuous duty.
Electrical details matter, as well, and authentic electrical ratings are earned. Light Rail has these electrical certifications C CSA US or CE, and flammability ratings UL 5 VB, and is RoHS compliant. Light Rail runs at a safe 85 degrees F with a flame retardant electrical enclosure, as it should be, and these are safety standards unique to the Light Rail brand.
Information to know about Light Rail and the Light Rail brand: https://www.lightrail3.com/lightrail-brand-indoor-grow-systems/
How much power does a Light Rail light mover consume? Light Rail 3.5 and 5.0 run on just 5 watts/ .05 amps @120 VAC. That’s about the same as a night light. Light Rail 4.0 runs on 9 watts/ .75 amps @ 12 VDC. Light Rail is rated the single best grow light efficiency product, where you cover 50% more linear area per grow light and use only 5 watts in doing that.
Can I get replacement parts or service for my Light Rail light mover? Yes, through our website and if you don’t see what you are looking for, contact us through sales@lightrail3.com or 970-761-2596 . We also have an in-house service department so you can contact us for any service work needed. We can then give you a repair authorization number (RA#) along with instructions of what to send and where to send it. Light Rail is unique in that it is American made so parts and service are readily available.
How does that work with the Light Rail Add A Lamp Kit and larger LED grow lights? There is a new design for the Light Rail Add A Lamp Kit that allows it to work perfectly with all grow lights, including the larger 4×4 LED grow lights. First, each larger LED grow light will need to be paired with a Light Rail RoboBar. Then, it’s easy to move two or three grow lights inline by first selecting a Light Rail 3.5 Kit or a Light Rail 4.0 Kit as your Motor source. For planning, if two grow lights will move per Motor, pair with an Add A Lamp Kit. If three grow lights will move per Motor, purchase two Add A Lamp Kits per Motor, with the Motor positioned on the center Rail. Because larger moving LED grow lights cover more area, you will gap each 6’6″ (2m) Rail by about 3′ (1m). The gap area will get plenty of light from both sides.
How will the Add A Lamp Kit setup with larger LED grow lights be different from the Add A Lamp Kit setup with standard sized grow lights? For the larger LEDs, the Add A Lamp Kit’s 6′ (2m) Extender Rod (push/pull rod) will go from RoboBar-to-RoboBar, instead of Motor to Auxiliary Trolley as with the standard setup. The Add A Lamp Kits now come with the extra few parts to make this happen along with special instructions.
For free and easy space planning help, contact us at sales@LightRail3.com or 970-761-2596.