Product Review: AHL's Solar Revolution Light Mover

Right out of the box, the Solar Revolution is impressive. The amount of care and attention that went into its construction is obvious: All heavy duty, top of the line components with durable aluminum extender arms. The manufacturer mentions in the instructions provided with the Solar Revolution that his customers often asked a common question: “Why can’t someone build a reliable circular mover that is extremely durable but also user friendly?” AHL obviously paid attention to both of these concerns when they set forth to design the Solar Revolution.

Two years of design and testing later, the Solar Revolution has been made available to the public. The instructions included boast the long list of benefits you can come to expect from the Solar Revolution. We put their product to the test to individually see if all of these claims were true.

• Heavy duty drive motor, microswitch, bearings and housing – This light mover uses a Hurst synchronous 115 Volt / 60 Hz motor. Hurst is the motor technologies department of Emerson Electronics, a company with an established history. The motor is geared for 6rpm output, and coupled with an extremely durable microswitch. The unit uses high grade bearings to ensure a smooth, quiet transition and all moving parts are contained within an approved housing. All in all, a sturdy, efficient unit.
• All-aluminum arms for strength and light weight – The extender arms are 1 ¼” channeled aluminum with an 1/8” thick wall. These arms are very sturdy, with a tensile strength more than adequate enough to support four lamps. The ends have been finely finished so there is no need to worry about cord or human injury from aluminum burrs.
• Whisper quiet operations and design – The combination of the low voltage motor, high quality bearings and efficient construction accumulate in almost silent operation. Even once all four lamps and reflectors have been installed, the Solar Revolution chugs away so quietly that you will almost forget it is even there.
• Extremely low profile, compact design provides maximum plant-to-light clearance – The best method for installing the Solar Revolution is outlined extensively in the instructions. If you cannot securely attach the unit to the framing members in your ceiling, pick up a couple pieces of two by four, and cut them to span the beams. Then, you can mount the Solar Revolution to the two by fours to ensure sturdiness. Depending on whether you use the two by fours or not, the unit will take up only 8 3/4” to 10 ½” of vertical space.
• No need to cut your lamp cords because no hard wiring is necessary – While the motor is self-contained, the Solar Revolution was designed with the ability to secure your cords to the outside of the unit. This allows more flexibility should you need to wire in a different lamp configuration, or simply lift the lights due to the encroaching plant canopy.
• Extremely versatile – the unit can run one, two or four lights with the same motor – You can simply add or remove lights, as long as the opposing arm is balanced, to keep your light levels optimum depending on your space.
• The Solar Revolution runs 355 degrees in one direction then reverses and runs 355 degrees in the opposite direction, providing complete blending of metal halide and high pressure sodium light – By splitting your bulbs, with one or two each of MH and HPS depending on your two or four light configuration, you can provide your plants with full coverage and full light spectrum through the entire growth process.
• Light reflectors are easily adjusted both vertically and horizontally – All of the hardware has been included to secure your lamp cords, lamps and reflectors to the arms of the light mover. The people at AHL have put a lot of thought into making the Solar Revolution easy to use. Little touches such as locking nuts and ruler tape mounted on the arms ensure your lamps are secure and adjustable.

While our testing period was short, we could immediately see the benefits of using a light mover as sturdy and efficient as the Solar Revolution. Make sure you follow the easy to read instructions to the letter, and you will be enjoying a hassle free light mover for years to come. AHL offers a two year warranty on workmanship and a one year warranty on the motor (from the date of purchase).

You can contact AHL (Albuquerque Hydroponics & Lighting) directly at 505-255-3677 or AHL@AHLgrows.com for more information.