Section 4:

Physical Setup and Placement 

This section gets the hardware in the right spot the first time. The goal is even lower-canopy coverage without blocking irrigation, airflow, or workflow.

Layout planning

• Map the rows and aisles

1. 1. Sketch each table or footprint with plant count and aisle widths.
   2. Note emitters, drain paths, stakes, and trellis anchor points. Fixtures must not block any of these.

• Choose fixture orientation

1. 1. Perpendicular to tables (recommended): Run fixtures across the short axis so lenses face into the plant rows. This keeps aisles clear for access to pots, improves cross-row uniformity, and has shown better light spread and yield. When using perpendicular runs, connect fixtures with daisy-chain cables along the bench frame so each cross-run links to the next without crossing wet zones.
   2. Parallel to tables: Use when infrastructure or trellis paths require it. Keep lenses horizontal and offset to eliminate bright stripes. Verify uniformity with a quick visual pass or meter spot checks.

• Target coverage zones

1. Under-canopy light should cover the lowest third of foliage and interior branch sites.
2. Avoid hot windows aimed at a single stem or cola.

Mounting height and spacing

• Mounting height window: ≈ 14 in below canopy (starting point within an 8–20 in range).
  • If internodes are very tight or foliage is dense, drop to 10 to 12 inches for better penetration.
  • If plants are sparse or sensitive, raise to 16 to 18 inches and use lower output.

• Fixture-to-plant clearance: Keep at least 6 inches of air gap from the nearest leaf at all times. Re-check after defoliation and bulking.

Stands, straps, and stability

• Use the height-adjustable under-canopy stand or rigid, non-conductive crossbars.
• If strapping to frames, use UV-stable straps and lock them so fixtures cannot slide during turns or irrigation pulls.
• Do not rest fixtures directly on cultivation tables. Maintain airflow and splash protection.

Cable routing and water management

• Route cabling along frame members, then down the dry side of the table.
• Form drip loops before every connector. Keep connectors above the flood line and away from drain paths.
• Label each run by bay and sequence for fast service.
• Keep cords out of aisles. If a crossing is unavoidable, use low-profile cable ramps.

Daisy-chain and power planning

• In perpendicular layouts, use daisy-chain cables to hop fixture-to-fixture across the footprint, then drop to the dry side for mains.
• Use the shortest daisy-chain length that reaches without tension.
• Group fixtures so a single circuit shutoff isolates one work area.
• Stay within the published daisy-chain limit for the fixture and voltage you are using.
• Balance circuits across phases. Use GFCI where required. Keep power supplies and junctions high and dry.

Airflow protection

• Verify a clear path for gentle airflow across the lower canopy. The fixture should not block fan streams or push leaves into emitters.
• If leaves flutter against the lens, redirect fans or raise the fixture.

Verification before power-up

• Wipe lenses with a clean, lint-free cloth. Dust reduces output and can cause micro hot spots.
• Confirm every connector is fully seated, elevated, and drip-looped.
• Push-test mounts and stands. Nothing should sway or rattle.
• Run fans and irrigation without lights to confirm no spray reaches lenses or connectors.

First-week adjustment playbook

• Day 0: Commission at about 50 percent on the Full+Red channel only. Walk both sides of the footprint and look for bright stripes or dark lanes. Adjust lateral position to even the wash.
• Day 1 to 2: After defoliation or tuck, re-check leaf clearance. Raise fixtures if any leaves sit within 6 inches of the lens.
• Day 3 to 4: If lowers look flat or shadowed, lower the fixture by 1 to 2 inches or move it toward the darkest lane. If edges look dry or tips nip, raise 2 inches or reduce intensity 10 to 20 percent.
• Day 5 to 7: Lock placement. Only after stability should you introduce Far-Red pulses and, later, UV windows.
• After 7 stable days, you may progress to the Aggressive Profile (Section 15).

Do and Don’t checklist

Do

• Prefer perpendicular orientation where possible for access and spread.
• Use two fixtures in any 4×4 or 5×5 area.
• Keep lenses horizontal and maintain 8 to 20 inches below canopy with 6 inches minimum clearance from leaves.
• Use drip loops and keep connectors above splash height.
• Verify airflow across the lower canopy after placement and re-check after every major tuck or defol.
• Daisy-chain perpendicular runs fixture-to-fixture, then exit on the dry side.

Don’t

• Do not point lenses into aisles or up toward mid-canopy.
• Do not block emitters, drain lines, or trellis pathways.
• Do not run cables across wet zones or leave them loose in aisles.
• Do not bring fixtures within 6 inches of leaves.
• Do not change placement and spectrum on the same day.

When the physical setup is locked, you are ready for Section 5: Power-Up and Commissioning.