DaBeers

@morganfreeman420, I apologize for the delay. This is what I do learned from using the FC-6500's for a couple years. After I figured it out it was pretty simple actually. Let me know what you think. To start the discussion: 1 - Get a light meter like the one I use in the newly added pics above - it's cheap and works perfectly. You may have something like it already... cool! 2 - ALWAYS keep these lights at least 30 inches above the canopy (at the moment mine are at 32") 3 - Hold the light meter level with the top of the canopy and adjust it's reading via the intensity knob for the lights. In the pic above you can see the meter reads around 1000. That's about right for flowering. For early veg set the knob for about 4-500, mid to late veg around 750-800 and then in flower I'm at 1000. Always measuring at the top of the canopy. In conclusion it is my belief that the % knob is only there for adjustment and to show current output. What matters is how much light reaches the canopy. So I know that I had to go to 80% output to get the meter to read 1000 while being held 32" below the light. So I still have 20% more to go so in theory I could lift the light higher, raise the %, and still get the 1000 reading I need. I guess if I wanted to cover a larger area I might want to do that. I can see ZERO possibility of ever needing these babys to be maxed at 100% - my god that'd be brighter than the surface of the sun... From germination to early veg I have what I call a nursery. Easy to control everything and a less intense light source... Oh and I look forward to seeing if anyone has thoughts on my numbers and theory. Always learning! OK one more thing. This approach works with ANY light and for those with no adjustment knob you would just raise or lower their height until you get your desired reading. Hope this helps!

@morganfreeman420, hey Morgan I'm glad I checked cause my original reply didn't go thru. I will write up a short description of how I do it...

@morganfreeman420, of course... explain what's going on...