Par Meters

[Dartolution]

What Par meter do you use? Where did you get it?

has anyone used this one: its only 165 vs 350 from Aponge.
http://www.hydrofarm.com/product.php?itemid=3109

thoughts?

[zachts]

I use the Apogee MQ-200. If you wanted you could just buy the sensor and use your multi-meter to take readings. You can get the sensor for around $155 or so.

I'm not familiar with that Hydrofarm meter, but the sensor doesn't look waterproof and it doesn't say if it is or not.

You get what you pay for when it comes to scientific instruments.........

[Dartolution]

another good point zachts

[nogascans]

Originally Posted by zachts

I use the Apogee MQ-200. If you wanted you could just buy the sensor and use your multi-meter to take readings. You can get the sensor for around $155 or so.

Could you elaborate on that process. I have a Fluke 88. Would this work with your suggested (?) sensor?

Sincerely,

David

[nogascans]

I may have answered my own question.

Seems you would need the Apogee sensor SQ-120 (for fluorescent lighting, correct?), and a Digital Multi-meter that could measure 0-500mV.

You would take measurement given and multiply by a factor of 5 to give you the PPF (μmol m-2 s-1) as in formula below:

(5.0 μmol m-2 s-1 per mV) * Sensor Output Signal (mV) = PPF (μmol m-2 s-1)

5 * 40 mV = 200 PPF

Does this look right? Any real world videos showing sensor and MultiMeter in action?

Sincerely,

David

[zachts]

Originally Posted by nogascans

I may have answered my own question.

Seems you would need the Apogee sensor SQ-120 (for fluorescent lighting, correct?), and a Digital Multi-meter that could measure 0-500mV.

You would take measurement given and multiply by a factor of 5 to give you the PPF (μmol m-2 s-1) as in formula below:

(5.0 μmol m-2 s-1 per mV) * Sensor Output Signal (mV) = PPF (μmol m-2 s-1)

5 * 40 mV = 200 PPF

Does this look right? Any real world videos showing sensor and MultiMeter in action?

Sincerely,

David

yep, all the info is available from apogee for using a meter to read the sensor. I like the all in one unit for simplicity but it is in no way needed for occasional use. just nice for if you you use it alot or are lazy and don't want to mess with the meter and possible math.

[nogascans]

Originally Posted by zachts

yep, all the info is available from apogee for using a meter to read the sensor. I like the all in one unit for simplicity but it is in no way needed for occasional use. just nice for if you you use it alot or are lazy and don't want to mess with the meter and possible math.

thanks for confirming. I had been looking at the all-in-ones for a while, but I was trying to come up with a cheaper alternative since it might be shared with other local club members. If they had a DVOM, it would reduce risk of damage by just sharing the sensor (assuming I can assemble plug ends that would be usable among other brands beside the Fluke)

Sincerely,

David

[lafayettereefer]

I've rented a par meter from a website before for $25 o believe. It isn't something I use enough to invest in.