DIY p.l.u.r's large cfl growlight reflector build..

[p.l.u.r]

Hello all my autoflowering friends..

I have been looking on the internet and i cant find any 3 bulb cfl reflectors anywhere. There are 2 bulb reflectors but they separate the bulbs atleast a foot apart which seems very inefficient to me, so i have decided to build myself one.. i will be putting 1x 250w 6400k cfl and 2x 125w 2700k cfl. im building my reflector man enough so i have the option of putting in a hps bulb during flowering, also it has to bare the weight of 3 large cfl's. as always i have not payed for a nothing, recycle recycle recycle..

parts...

stainless steel cooker hood leftovers (it was a big cooker)860x550mm
1.6 meters of aluminium L bar. 25x50mm
20x nuts and bolts.. 25mm
3x E40 light fittings (from previous grow)
high amp/watt electrical cable(with earth!!)
switches(optional)

tools..

drill and drillbits
metal hacksaw
tape measure
screwdriver
spanner.

stage 1..
firstly i cut the aluminium bar to lengths needed(i will not use sizes throughout this d.i.y, as no two cooker hoods are the same).


stage 2..

drill all holes for frame, and then drill holes through reflector to connect.


stage 3..

time to use all them nuts and bolts!!!


stage 4..
wire up E40 fittings(remembering that center pin is the live). connect fittings with more nuts and bolts...


JOB DONE!!!


this has to be one of the strongest reflectors i have ever seen, you could swing on it and it still wouldnt bend making it perfect for the large cfl bulbs.. i only have 2 bulbs at the min so we cant see it running full power but here is it with 2 bulbs.. hope you enjoyed my little d.i.y mission, soon you will see it up and running in my new growroom!!!
p.l.u.r

 

[p.l.u.r]

all done tbm..

not much of a d.i.y project but it has definatly saved me a few $$$..

 

[fullauto]

Very nice build and helluva idea!

 

[Muddy]

Well done. Very clean and effective. It should serve you well for many years to come.

 

[addski]

Awesome m8! bloody good ideal , and a very tidy build.

 

[namvet]

Just goes to show you when theres a will thers a way. You don't have to always have to spend lots of money from some of these suppliers and use what you have.Nice looking light.

 

[p.l.u.r]

thanks guys:thumbs:

sometimes building what we need is always a better option, especially when what we want is'nt even available for sale. i went and got my 250w bulb over the weekend, it is huge!! luckily i built the reflector nice and big so it should fit in.
also started setting up the new grow room yesterday for my dp grow journal, will be taking the light tomorrow so ill grab some pics.

 

[Dopey Jim]

That's sweet bro, I've come up against this problem soooo many times and not been able to figure it out.
I started out using a wood frame for my four lights and was very pleased until I came to lift it, my over engineering made it so heavy I couldn't lift it into place!
The bit I struggle with is attaching the e40 socket to the hanger, I can't quite see in the photos what you've done any chance of a more detailed explanation?
I just happen to have kept an old tumble dryer top which should do the job nicely.

+ rep because I have found this really useful and it's inspired me to get my lazy arse in gear and make one rather than toy with the idea of parting with hard earned wonga for a reflector.

 

[p.l.u.r]

hey dopey thanks for the+...

it does seem to be a big problem with these bulbs, i havent even tried the 250w bulb yet but im sure it'll hold out..
i did use to have the same problem with weight, this is why i used the aluminium this time its strong and lightweight, the e40 sockets have 2 holes in them which i put bolts through to attach to the aluminium..

my previous e40 socket did not have any holes and would no way be suitable for cfl bulbs(maybe this is what you have, the 1 hole hanging type?)

tuble dryer top sounds fine, did you keep the insides? normally on a tumble dryer there is a round outer drum to the inside drying one which could work even better.. alot of work to get it out though..

gotta go bro. now off fishing.. if you need a bit more explanation ill do some more pics up laters..

 

[p.l.u.r]

just thought id add a pic to this post of the reflector with all its bulbs..