I searched the forum and did a little Googling, but couldn't find much on this.  Is it possible to take some Xmas LEDs, and use them as a grow light or at least a solid CFL supplement?

Materials:
1) 4X4 sheet of plywood (might be too big - or make it a circle for the UFO look)
2) 2 50 bulb LED blue lights
3) 2 50 bulb LED red lights
4) drill

Plan:
1)  Drill holes in plywood, 10 across, 10 down. (Or whatever design you like.  Remember Lite Brite?)
2)  Take bulbs out of LED receptacles. 
3)  Use glue gun to glue receptacle in place.
4)  Reinsert LED bulb.

Presto??  LED grow light?  Anyone with light experience or electrical experience wanna tip me off on why this doesn't work?  Why would anyone spend hundreds of bucks on a LED system if you can make your own every December 26th for like $10?  There must be a reason....

Light intensity?  Lumens?  Lux?  Did I just make those last words up?  Just kidding, but would that be the problem?

A good LED system will use multiple (dozens or hundreds of) 3-10W LEDs.  Your whole string may be less than 20 watts.  You wont have enough intensity, lumens or lux.  Plus you may not have a good match with the PAR spectrum.

There goes that idea, I guess....lol :)

Would it work as a supplement for 8 bulb, 2 foot CFL system?  Or is the dream dead? 

Is getting a bigger CFL system just a better idea?

The idea is a great one you just need better quality LEDs.  Alternate 6500K, 4500 or 4000K and 2700K.  Use either XM-Ls or XP-G2 LEDs from Cree and some LedEngin's


LZ4-40R200.  Find out how on http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/content.php

LED is the way to go, saves electricity costs

Also look into plastic pegboard instead of plywood -- if the holes are the right size, it might save you a lot of drilling!
Jim

Guess I should have never thrown out my Lite-Bright : )

I think if you go the route Bob is suggesting you might need something more like a heat sink...the three watt leds come on aluminum stars to help dissipate heat but usually need to be glued to a bigger heat sink to keep them cool and prolong the life and efficiency of the bulb.

Bob, fish tanks (knowledge on leds)?? I was into mixed reef fish tanks, it was a very nice but super expensive hobby!! maybe when I establish my fig orchard I can sell enough figs to keep a fish tank again. the guys on the reef forums have taken LED lighting to a whole new level, they simulate moon cycles, Daylight, storms, clouds etc... you name it, they have programmed it (reefcentral.com  in the DIY lighting section)

another helpful hint (I hope).on your smart phone you can download a free light meter app so you don't have to guess at the light output.  

Reef Central has tons of great info on DIY LED lighting. Their spectral requirements are diffrent because they're shooting through water but as far as power supplies, heat sinking, etc, they're the go to guys. Thanks for mentioning them. If you run the XMLs at full power you have to have lots of heat sink, but they're more efficient at less than full power. And cooler. They make great flashlights, too. :)