QUICK START

This Quick Start walks you through safe setup, correct placement, and controller configuration for under-canopy lighting.

Once setup is complete, you’ll select a Lighting Schedule and follow it like a feeding chart.

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Safety First

• UV runs mid-day only. Post a no-entry rule during UV windows.

• Keep fixtures 8–20 in below canopy and ≥6 in from any leaf surface.

• Keep lenses horizontal and inside table rails by ≥4 in.

• Change one variable at a time and log changes.

• Do not place fixtures directly on tables. Maintain clearance for irrigation and airflow.

• Only run under-canopy lighting once plants are large enough to keep the room stable.

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Footprint & Placement

• Two Tri-Spec fixtures per 4×4 or 5×5.

• Divide the footprint into three equal sections.

• With 16 plants (4×4):

  • One fixture between rows 1 & 2

  • One fixture between rows 3 & 4

• Perpendicular to tables gives the best access and spread. Parallel is acceptable.

• Start height: ~14 in below canopy (acceptable range: 8–20 in).

• Maintain gentle airflow across the lower canopy.

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Cabling & Power

• Daisy-chain fixtures across the footprint.

• Route main power to the dry side.

• Keep all connectors elevated with drip loops.

• Confirm grounded circuits and polarity.

Max fixtures per circuit (continuous load):

Always confirm breaker and wire capacity for your site.

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Tri-Chan Controller Setup

Channel Map

• Ch 1: Full+Red (FSG) — primary photosynthetic driver

• Ch 2: Far-Red — spectrum steering and Emerson effect

• Ch 3: UV — quality signal

Setup

• Power on. Set date, time, and timezone.

• Install the temp/RH probe at lower-canopy height.

• Tri-Chan provides independent 0–10 V control of all three channels with time-based scheduling.

• Program in Step 7.

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Placement Verification 

• Fixtures evenly spaced to create three equal zones per footprint.

• ≥6 in leaf clearance after defol and stretch.

• If the center seam is hot, raise fixtures 1–2 in or shift outward 1–2 in.

• If corners lag, correct placement before increasing power.

• Confirm irrigation and airflow do not contact fixtures or lenses.

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Choose a Lighting Schedule

Once setup is complete, select one Lighting Schedule and follow it exactly.

Think of these schedules like feeding charts for light. Do not mix steps between them.

Balanced

• Best starting point for most rooms and cultivars

• Simple Full+Red ramp, conservative Far-Red pulses, short late UV

• Recommended if this is your first under-canopy run

Quality

• For rooms prioritizing resin, color, and aroma

• Later and more selective Far-Red use

• Slightly longer late-flower UV windows

Yield

• For rooms with strong HVAC and irrigation capacity

• Uses all three Far-Red windows daily

• Maximum lower-canopy contribution with tight control

If unsure, start with Balanced. 

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How to Use the Lighting Schedules

• Start at Week 1 of your chosen schedule.

• Apply only the values shown for each week.

• Mirror T0 (lights on), mid-day, and T12 (lights off) to your room’s photoperiod.

• All schedules ramp Full+Red to 100% by Days 18–21, then hold steady.

• If stress appears, roll back one step and hold before advancing again.

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Minimal Daily Logging

• Schedule name and current week

• Channel settings and window times

• Lower vs upper canopy temp/RH

• One pot runoff EC/pH

• Notes on posture or stress

Consistent logging keeps under-canopy lighting predictable and repeatable.