DIY I am going to build my own grow light.

[gradolabs]

Damn. Thats the cheapest I've seen cfl rigs. Nice post JM.

 

[TheLittleBoyWhoPointed]

I have used a string of 10 party lights for my cfl setup....similar to these

can also be bought in a string of 20 lamps also.

I am a bit fuzzy on how you describe what you are after for the wiring for hanging the ELU [Eek Lighting Unit ]....do you mean to run support wire through the 4 eye-hooks [placed in each corner on the BACK/ROOF of the ELU?] to hang the unit?

I would suggest four mounting points on the ELU and also 4 mounting points on your ceiling.....otherwise one might consider running support wire between a pair of support eyelets, ending up with 2 lines of wire across the back/roof of the ELU....attach to the middle of each taut string of wire a hanging cable or marine rope that is run upwards through a pair of pulleys attached to the roof/mounting point
like in this picture

use one single and one double pulley like these

run the 2 hanging ropes, each through it's own pulley, then run ONE of the hanging ropes as it comes out of it's pulley through the second pulley...these 2 ropes coming out of the second pulley can then be tied off to a wall mounted cleat like this

or you could go with a fancy one

TLBWP

 

[impulse741]

Hi Eek.

Although those higher wattage CFL's dont produce quite as many lumens as the lower ones in a high volume, I really do recommend one purely due the the convenience of it.. Espcecially the dual spectrum ones. I have my 200W dual spectrum CFL about an inch above my canopy, and it really kicks out some light considering the heat its producing!

Either way impressive set up! Looking forwards to seeing the results

BB

 

[DigitalShaaman]

you could also get some socket splitters and double your lights or add them in the areas you need to


great job <- haha you got your own buttton

 

[Carbon]

I have used a string of 10 party lights for my cfl setup....similar to these

can also be bought in a string of 20 lamps also.

You sir, are a genius!

 

[happily]

These can also be plugged into power strips
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...eyword=plug+socket&storeId=10051#.USq9c1c4SSo

I have bent one of these into a "v" around a 4-6 socket bath bar for a reflector. They don't come as a circle. The seam is unconnected. Aluminum tape could also be applied to reflect more(come in 4ft lengths also)http://www.homedepot.com/Heating-Ve...Id=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051#.USq911c4SSo

 

[gradolabs]

Yeah but for cfl's worth their weight, you'll all need mogul socket adapters at about 9 bucks a piece. That shouldn't be a deal breaker, but in my humble opinion, you can get some pretty nice dual spec 125w cfls on the cheap. Just need that mogul adapter...

 

[Eekman]

I have used a string of 10 party lights for my cfl setup....similar to these

can also be bought in a string of 20 lamps also.

I am a bit fuzzy on how you describe what you are after for the wiring for hanging the ELU [Eek Lighting Unit ]....do you mean to run support wire through the 4 eye-hooks [placed in each corner on the BACK/ROOF of the ELU?] to hang the unit?

I would suggest four mounting points on the ELU and also 4 mounting points on your ceiling.....otherwise one might consider running support wire between a pair of support eyelets, ending up with 2 lines of wire across the back/roof of the ELU....attach to the middle of each taut string of wire a hanging cable or marine rope that is run upwards through a pair of pulleys attached to the roof/mounting point
like in this picture

use one single and one double pulley like these

run the 2 hanging ropes, each through it's own pulley, then run ONE of the hanging ropes as it comes out of it's pulley through the second pulley...these 2 ropes coming out of the second pulley can then be tied off to a wall mounted cleat like this

or you could go with a fancy one

TLBWP

Okay yes, I used the picture wire to keep the unit from bowing up, or down, however as you suggest, it does nothing for balance. I did at the designe stage, I did everything in two's opposite of each other. So it is fairly balanced, but not perfect. And we know it doesn't take much to go one way or the other, and I am using a rope at the moment. I have ratchet hangers arriving today. but the rope, then looped twice through the screw eyes, keeps it from slipping, and secured fast to the dowl used for hanging clothes in the closet, keeps it from tilting.

Those are the exact pulleys (double), and the "Tie offs" that I got, however I used them on the LED in the tent, lmao. So I will switch out the ratchet hangers for the pulley/rope system, and put the pully rope system in for the CFL. Then in the HPS closet, I am gonna add another 150 watter (don't tell Root).

Those are some great alternative lights there. No reason those can't add some something to the spectrum.

Thanks for the advice, spot on as usual.

Eek

 

[Eekman]

You sir, are a genius!

AGREED!

These can also be plugged into power strips
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...eyword=plug+socket&storeId=10051#.USq9c1c4SSo

I have bent one of these into a "v" around a 4-6 socket bath bar for a reflector. They don't come as a circle. The seam is unconnected. Aluminum tape could also be applied to reflect more(come in 4ft lengths also)http://www.homedepot.com/Heating-Ve...Id=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051#.USq911c4SSo

Hey happily,

Thanks for stopping in. Yes, I went over the idea of the strip light, but I wanted something that "Tim The Toolman Taylor" would be proud of, provide lots of coverage, and do some flowering of Auto's if I could.

Yeah but for cfl's worth their weight, you'll all need mogul socket adapters at about 9 bucks a piece. That shouldn't be a deal breaker, but in my humble opinion, you can get some pretty nice dual spec 125w cfls on the cheap. Just need that mogul adapter...

The mogul sockets are still on the shelf for now, I have that option and still much more room to increase the volume of light if I want. The dual socket idea is a good one because it does two things.

First, I learned that perhaps I am doing a disservice to my plants by having the lights sitting verticle out of the ELU, I have been reading that the side angle or slanted angle may give me more penetration of light. Still need to find more on this. Second I can add about another 2/3 more watts. Also, I was wondering about how the CFL's disperse heat. Because I am thinking the heat goes straight out with the coil of the light, and if it were sideways or at an angle, it might disperse differently?? Not sure, I need more homework on this.

Thanks everyone for commenting, The Reps, and for even just stopping and looking if you didn't comment.

bye for now,

Eek

 

[TheLittleBoyWhoPointed]

Thanks for the compliment, though I insist I am just a dedicated nutter

Eeek....would one of THESE do?
For Sale: 525,000 Lumens Monster 60" Carbon Arc Anti-Aircraft light from WWII

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...quot-Carbon-Arc-Anti-Aircraft-light-from-WWII

or maybe one of these?....if first you remove the pesky thing blocking it

TLBWP