Space Planning for Larger LED Grow Lights with Light Rail 3.5, Light Rail 4.0, Light Rail 4.20
Each grow light moves with a Light Rail RoboBar
For Large LED lights, add our RoboBar Accessory with your LightRail 3.5 Kit
This grow room setup is easy to plan, You can have each grow light simply paired with a Light Rail 3.5 Kit or a Light Rail 4.0 Kit .Then, each of the Light Rail Kits will be set up using a RoboBar, purchased separately.
Or, you can use the Light Rail Add A Lamp Kit with the new design capability to accommodate larger 4’x4′ LED grow lights. In this instance, you simply link the Light Rail RoboBars together with the provided Add A Lamp Extender Rods (push/pull rods) and Hardware. Up to three grow lights can move with one Motor using the Add A Lamp Kits, so it’s simple for planning and a cost saver. The Add A Lamp Kit’s setup will be RoboBar-to-RoboBar instead of the standard Add A Lamp Kit’s assembly of Motor to Auxiliary Trolley, and the extra hardware along with special instructions are included for larger grow lights.
Then, as you plan your space, plan for each Light Rail Kit to come with a 6’6″ Rail (2m). Larger LED grow lights, like the 4’x4′ (1.2m sq) sized LED grow lamps, will go past your Rail dimension, and that will happen at both ends of travel. So, with multiple larger LED grow lights in a row, you will want to gap each of your Light Rail 3.5 Rails or each of your Light Rail 4.0 Rails by about 3 feet (1m). That will allow for the extra light to go past the adjustable stopper setting to fill in that gap area from both sides.
The LightRail RoboBar for moving larger LED grow lights.
RoboBar setup: The 40″ (1.1m) RoboBar is only needed for the larger LED grow lights, and it is brilliant in what it delivers. You get a secure, stable glide for any of the larger LED grow lights, and that’s for any brand. Compatible with Light Rail 3.5 and Light Rail 4.0 and Light Rail 4.20 exclusively, the RoboBar dimensions are 40″ x 30″ (102cm x 75cm), so provides triangulated, acute hanging angles for extra smooth travel along the Rail. Perfect support, and perfect evenly distributing Ppfd readings, and easy set up, see RoboBar setup instructions. Note: The RoboBar is not intended to be used with Light Rail 5.0.
Travel distance: Moving each indoor grow light about 3′ (1m) along the Rail, Switch Stop stopper to Switch Stop stopper, will light up about 7′ (2.1m) of canopy area if the LED grow light is about 4’x4′ (1.2m sq) in size. Moving each grow light a little farther, at about 4′ (1.2m) along the Rail, Switch Stop stopper to Switch Stop stopper, that will light up to 8′ (2.4m) of canopy area for that same sized LED. For a slightly smaller LED grow light at 3.5′ (1m), there will be slightly smaller coverage results of about 3 inches per end. For 4’x8′ (1.2mx2.4m) grow tables, a centered 6’6″ (2m) Rail is likely just right.
Planning coverage: For larger LED grow lights moved on Light Rail light movers, the key to planning out the coverage area is to know that you can set the adjustable Switch Stop stoppers anywhere along the Rail you choose. Then, know that half the LED grow light will go past that stopper setting, and that will happen at each end of travel. So, for the math of a 4’x4′ (1.2m sq) sized LED grow light , a travel distance of 3′ (1m) along the Rail will look like this. Half the grow light dimension, so 2′ (.6m) as half the light’s dimension, will go past the stopper on one end of travel, and another 2′ (.6m) will go past the stopper on the other end of travel. So, 3′ travel + 2′ past near stopper + 2′ past far stopper = 7′ (2.1m) of coverage. No matter the size of a grow room, this is easy for planning.
For free and easy grow room space planning, email your dimensions to sales@LightRail3.com to receive a custom schematic made specifically for your setup.
Space Planning for Standard Sized Grow Lights with Light Rail 3.5, Light Rail 4.0, Light Rail 4.20
For Multiple Grow Lights
For standard sized grow lights, up to 3 grow lights can move inline per Light Rail Light Mover Motor using the Add A Lamp Kits, which is a very affordable way to move the second and third indoor grow light. The Add A Lamp Kit works with and includes an Extender Rod (push/pull rod 3/8th coarse all-thread; 6’ lengths) and you can move up to three grow lights in total inline, and all off one Motor. Grow light #1 moves under the Motor, positioned on the middle Rail. Grow light #2 and grow light #3 move with the Add A Lamp Kit’s Auxiliary Trolley and move inline and in sync with the Motor’s movement.
For light mover grow equipment savings, it is definitely the affordable way to go and it makes for a very effective grow light system. At 6’6” (2m) as the exact measurement per Rail, you would be at 19’6” (6m) for Rail length per three grow lamps moved. If moving just two grow lights inline, you would be at 13′ (4m).
LightRail Add A Lamp Schematic.
Up to 3 grow lights moved per Motor.
You can go end to end and row after row to fill up any grow room or greenhouse space. For videos on how to set up three grow lights in a row with the Motor in the middle and Add A Lamp Kits on each end, check out this video. In some of the videos, you’ll see we are using half Rails with 3’ gaps (“gap plants” get plenty of light from both sides) and you’ll also see some videos are using the Strut Channel Compatible Rail which is a little different and attaches to Unistrut.
It is an available option. If those custom Rails are a better choice for your space, then your Motors would be purchased separately as would your Add A Lamp components, without the Rail included.
For free and easy grow room space planning, email your dimensions to sales@LightRail3.com to receive a custom schematic made specifically for your setup.
The Light Rail Choices are:
Light Rail 3.5 IntelliDrive Kit or Light Rail 4.0 AdjustaDrive Kit
For single Light Rail Kit spaces, one of these light mover systems is all you will need, and for large spaces, you’d have an Add A Lamp Kit Extreme Duty Version paired with and that is for two grow lights moved, or on each end for three grow lights moved. The Light Rail 4.20 Kit includes one Add A Lamp Kit Extreme Duty Version so it is set to move two indoor grow lights inline. For the difference, Light Rail 3.5 has a set speed of 4 feet per minute and Light Rail 4.0 or LightRail 4.20 has an adjustable speed of 2-4 feet per minute. It is a personal preference thing with no wrong answer.
Note: Light Rail 3.5 works with 110 volts exclusively so is compatible with the electrical in the US, Canada and Mexico, and should never be plugged into 220 volts. Light Rail 4.0 and Light Rail 4.20 have an adaptable transformer power supply that works with 100v-240v, so works in all countries.
Light Rail 3.5 is the biggest selling light mover in the US, costs a little less, and does what most people need or want, and it is a real workhorse. All Light Rail choices are quality Made-in-the-USA products. For more information about the Extreme Duty Trolley Wheels, they are preinstalled on all Light Rail 3.5, 4.0 and 4.20 Kits now as a standard feature.
Note: All Light Rail grow light movers have adjustable travel distance in that you set the Switch Stop stoppers wherever you like along the Rail, and all Light Rail products have the 0-60 second time delay for the ends of the run. This helps even out the “light time” for all the plants providing an even canopy. And, without this feature, the grow light would spend most of its time somewhere along the middle of the Rail.
Suggested travel distance? About 3’-4’ (1m) Switch Stop to Switch Stop. This will likely light up the 6’6” (2m) Rail length perfectly, as half the light from your grow lamp goes beyond that stopper setting and this happens at both ends of the grow lamp’s travel. And, that’s with grow light pattern coverage going even farther.
Suggested time delay setting? At 3’-4’ (1m) of travel, a time delay setting of about 30 seconds might be just right. You can then see over time if any adjustments are needed.
Turning a Grow Light Sideways
Light Rail light mover RoboStik turns our grow lamps 90 degrees for a wider grow lamp pattern.
Another accessory to mention is the 24” (.66m) RoboStiks which allow you to turn your grow lights 90 degrees from the direction of travel. For rectangular grow lights, this gives a wider grow light pattern. For a challenged vertical space, such as a grow tent, the RoboStik can be turned upside down and used with triangle grow light hangers or the like, and used as a vertical space-saving option.
Note: A RoboStik attached to an Add A Lamp Kit will need the additional small part item Add A Lamp to RoboStik Hardware .
The Half Rail Option for Moving a Grow Light in Tighter Spaces
Sometimes space is too limited for having a 6’6” (2m) Rail for each grow light, so using half Rails might be a better option. One single 3’3” half Rail can be used in a 4×4 grow tent, as one example. Or two indoor grow lights can move in a 9’-10’ (3m) space by using a 3’3” Rail half then about a 3’ gap then the next 3’3” Rail half. The “gap plants” get plenty of light from both sides. How this works is you set the adjustable Switch Stop stoppers on the 3’3” Rail half wherever you like and at each stop, half the grow light goes beyond that stopper setting, with grow light coverage going even farther. And this happens at both ends of travel. For the “gap plants”, they get that extra light from both sides. Using half Rails with gaps is a way you can use the Add A Lamp Kits, as well. In that case, all the Rail halves needed will come from the Add A Lamp Kits (two 3’3” Rail halves included in each), so Motors can be purchased on their own to match with those extra Rail halves. Or, as another option, the Rails are made of extruded aluminum so are easy to cut for a more exact fit.
Rail Choices – Standard or Strut Channel Compatible
The Light Rail 3.5, Light Rail 4.0 and Light Rail 4.20 Kits all come with the flat-top standard Rail. See how to mount a flat-top standard Rail. Also available, as a custom option, are the 6’6” (2m) Strut Channel Compatible Rails and those attach to Unistrut. They come with two fasteners to attach to strut channel (Unistrut) but as an option, the blue connector piece of each fastener can be removed and they can then attach up to a greenhouse’s support structure, possibly with a longer bolt than provided.
The Greenhouse Setting and/or for Longer Grow Light Runs (UVB Grow lights / UVC Grow Lights)
The greenhouse with natural plant light available can have longer grow light runs. There are two Greenhouse Packages available, Light Rail 3.5 Extreme Duty Greenhouse Package and Light Rail 4.0 Extreme Duty Greenhouse Package, and both have 13’ (4m) of Rail for that extra-long run. A longer run can also be achieved with the standard Rail where Rail after Rail can be “pinned” using Rail Alignment Pins and pinning makes travel across the seams possible. This is a beneficial setup for UV grow lights, UVB grow lights or UVC grow lights that can run farther for a quick and glancing effect. Longer runs might require Auxiliary Trolleys to be used for cord management with those longer runs. The greenhouse package has versatility is that you can use 9’9″ (3m) of Rail instead of the provided 13′ (4m) of Rail, if that is your preference.
Double Ended Grow Lights, DE Grow Lights, with Light Rail Light Movers
Double ended Gavita style grow lights are improved when they are positioned closer and moved on Light Rail grow light movers, and that is so much better than being positioned up high like some version of a streetlight. Good grow lights need to perform and not be “undone” with distance. Powerful indoor grow lights need to move and double-ended grow lights are especially effective in that scenario. And this ppfd chart shows specifically what a 1,000 watt DE grow light is capable of.
LED Grow Lights with Light Rail Light Movers
Traditional LED grow lights are maximized when they are moved and that is because these grow lights are very intense and directional. Light Rail light movers diffuse that intensity and get better grow light numbers to more plant area. This provides better grow light penetration and eliminates shadow patterns.
Larger 4×4 LED grow lights have the opposite issue when stationary in that they do not have the intensity that they do when positioned closer and moved on Light Rail light movers. This is also how to maximize plant light penetration.
Space Planning (Light Rail 5.0)
LightRail 5.0 crossbar can be inverted to angle up for outer grow lights, or to angle down.
Light Rail 5.0 Side by Side is a completely different Light Rail grow light system and uses a different wideness and length of Rail and a unique Motor, so it is NOT compatible for parts with Light Rail 3.5, 4.0, or 4.20. The Light Rail 5.0 Kit comes with a Motor and two 4’ Rail sections that can slide together for a longer run as could happen in a greenhouse with natural light present or with low light plants. It also comes with one crossbar that is adjustable for wingspan at 81”, 87” or 93”, and typically two grow lights would hang on that crossbar for a side by side movement, although three smaller grow lamps would also work.
Note: Perfect balance is key for the crossbar to track evenly, so weight needs to be balanced. For grow lights that include a heavy side, both ends of the crossbar needs to have the grow light’s heavy side outward or the heavy side inward, so the grow lights mirror each other on that crossbar. This way the weight is balanced. Vented grow light systems are not recommended with Light Rail 5.0 because the ductwork would likely tug sporadically causing the crossbar to track unevenly. Fans pointed at the crossbar might also cause uneven tracking if grow lights are lighter in weight and are catching the moving air like a kite, so this can also be problematic.
The last point to be mindful of is the adjustable crossbar’s wingspan might not be right for everyone’s space. So, if any of the above might be an issue, it is recommended to use two parallel lines of moving grow lights using Light Rail 3.5 or Light Rail 4.0 with the farther above space planning recommendations that go with. 
Note: Light Rail 5.0 works with 110 volts exclusively so is compatible with the electrical in the US, Canada and Mexico, and should never be plugged into 220 volts. Light Rail 4.0 and Light Rail 4.20 have an adaptable transformer power supply that works with 100v-240v, so works in all countries.
Light Rail 5.0 Planning
Light Rail 5.0 is an expandable system where up to three crossbars can move using one Motor, with the crossbar providing a side by side grow light movement. The Motor would be positioned with the middle crossbar if three crossbars are used. For multiple crossbars, there would be a 2’ gap in between each 4’ Rail section. This is ideal for plant light coverage in that the “gap plants” get plenty of grow light coverage from both sides. How that works is half the grow light goes beyond the stopper setting, and that happens at both ends of travel. So, the plants in the gap area get that extra light from both directions. And without the 2’ gaps, those plants would get double the light coverage compared to the other plants inline. So, with that same thinking, an optional 1’ gap on the near planted end to start, and at the far planted end to stop, would also get good grow light coverage.
For Two Grow Lights
The Light Rail 5.0 Kit is all that is needed with the two grow lights positioned on the included crossbar for a side by side movement. (4’ or 8’)
For Four Grow Lights
A Light Rail 5.0 Kit is needed and one additional crossbar called an Add A Bar Kit would be purchased. The setup would be the included 4’ Rail half to match with the included Light Rail 5.0 crossbar, then a 2’ gap, then the other included 4’ Rail half to match with a second crossbar purchased as the Add A Bar Kit. (1’ gap; 4’ Rail; 2’ gap; 4’ Rail; 1’ gap)
For Six Grow Lights
A Light Rail 5.0 Kit is needed plus two additional crossbars as Add A Bar Kits and one extra 4’ Rail section to purchase which is an Auxiliary Rail. The setup would be the included 4’ Rail half to match with the included Light Rail 5.0 crossbar, then a 2’ gap, then the other included 4’ Rail half to match with the second crossbar purchased as an Add A Bar Kit, then a 2’ gap, then another 4’ Rail section purchased as an Auxiliary Rail, and this last 4’ Rail section will be matched with one more crossbar that is purchased as another Add A Bar Kit. (1’ gap; 4’ Rail; 2’ gap; 4’ Rail; 2’ gap; 4’ Rail; 1’ gap)
For easy and free grow room space planning, email sales@LightRail3.com with your dimensions to receive a custom schematic made specifically for your setup.