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sun panels

instruction manual

the sun panel has been upgraded

We have sold through the original sun panels and released an updated version. This manual refers to the original sun panel only. If you have purchased the new sun panel, it will come with its own instructions.

shop the new sun panel
1

parts

included in the box

gathera sun panels pair of LED grow light panels

a — sun panels

x2

gathera sun panels light controller

b — controller

x1

gathera sun panels magnetic mounting screws

c — magnetic screws

x8

sold separately or included with a sun shelf bundle

gathera sun shelf 2 with power supply

d — sun shelf and power supply

gathera growing basin and pump controller

e — growing basin and pump controller

gathera individual 24V power supply for sun panels

f — individual 24V power supply

gathera sun panels regular mounting screws for non-magnetic installation

g — regular screws

x8

2

installation on the sun shelf

Use the pre-installed magnetic screws c to attach each sun panel to the underside of a shelf d. The magnets click into place and hold the panels firmly without any additional tools.

gathera sun panels installation video thumbnail showing Peter installing panels on the sun shelf

Watch the full installation video on YouTube

gathera sun panel attached to the underside of a sun shelf with magnetic screws
3

power and wiring

The panels are sold in pairs. Panel 1 has three cables and Panel 2 has one cable. Use the table below to connect each cable correctly.

panel cable connects to
Panel 1 red controller b
blue 24V power line
black Panel 2 cable
Panel 2 black Panel 1 black cable
Optional pump controller Panel 1 extra cable
gathera sun panels wiring diagram showing cable connections between panel 1 panel 2 and controller
Wiring diagram: Click the image below to view the full-size lighting diagram.
gathera sun shelf full lighting wiring diagram showing panel 1 panel 2 controller and power connections
4

installation on other shelves

The sun panels are designed for the gathera sun shelf, but they can be installed on any shelving unit using the regular screws g included in the box.

Unscrew the pre-installed magnetic screws c and remove them. Replace with regular screws g and screw the panels directly into the underside of your shelving.

Keep the magnetic screws safe. Store them in case you ever move the panels back onto a gathera sun shelf.
gathera sun panel installed on a third-party shelf using regular screws
5

individual power supply

If you are not using the sun shelf power system, you can power the panels using the individual 24V power supply f sold separately.

gathera sun panels individual 24V power supply wiring overview

power supply connections

  • Main cable connects to the power supply connector
  • Plug-end cable connects to the controller b
  • Socket-end cable connects to the basin pump controller e

panel connections

  • Panel 1 cable 1 — connects to the controller b
  • Panel 1 cable 2 — can be stowed away
  • Panel 1 cable 3 — connects to Panel 2
  • Panel 2 cable 1 — connects to Panel 1 cable 3
6

timer

The controller b includes a built-in timer so you can set your lights to turn on and off automatically each day. The diagram below shows all the timer controls and settings.

gathera sun panels controller diagram showing timer settings and button functions
Recommended schedule: most plants do best with at least 12 hours on and 8 hours off per day.
7

directions for use

We have done the work measuring light intensity at different distances so you know exactly which setting suits your plants best.

too much light

  • Burn marks on leaves — most likely if the panel is touching the leaves or your plants are very sensitive
  • Crispy or browning leaf edges
  • Drooping leaves

not enough light

  • Leaves turning pale green, yellow or white
  • Dropping of older leaves
  • Long, thin, stretched stems
gathera sun panels light intensity measurement at close range gathera sun panels light intensity measurement at medium range gathera sun panels light intensity measurement at far range
8

how it works

Plants primarily need light in the blue range (400–500nm) and the red range (600–700nm). Most of the light emitted by a standard household bulb falls outside these wavelengths, which is why household bulbs rarely grow plants successfully — most of the energy is simply wasted.

gathera sun panels light spectrum diagram showing blue and red wavelength ranges used by plants

blue light (400–500nm)

  • Encourages photosynthesis
  • Produces bushy, compact growth
  • Plants don't stretch to find more light
  • Ideal for growing in compact spaces

red light (600–700nm)

  • Signals it's time to flower or fruit
  • Encourages longer, upward growth
  • Best for plants heading into their flowering stage

The gathera sun panels use both blue and red wavelengths alongside the full visible spectrum, giving your plants what they need to grow well while producing a warm, natural-looking 3500K light that looks good in your home.