Best way to setup air cooled lights?? (Diagrams!!)

What do you think?

  • Total voters
    6
AlGore

AlGore

Well-Known Member
I have these 3 options and not sure what's best. I only have one 8" exhaust port, fyi. Everything is 8", including the Y connectors(ideal air) which are 8"x8"x8".

Parallel: This seems best to me. It only blows into the tent so, unlike the other options, no smell can leak into the light exhaust. However, I'm not sure about pushing into the Y and how that effects airflow.
Parallel.png


Parallel 2: A push/pull option using 2 Y's. Better air flow?
Parallel2.png

Series: This option seems like it would have the best overall airflow but I'm not sure. I'm also not sure how well it would cool the hoods near the end of the circuit.
Series.png
 
60SOG

60SOG

Active Member
I think it depends a lot on what kind of fan you're using.
I would cross option 3 out. to many sharp angles. And temp of the air going in would be hot since the way out is so near. IMO
 
AlGore

AlGore

Well-Known Member
60SOG said:
I think it depends a lot on what kind of fan you're using.
I would cross option 3 out. to many sharp angles. And temp of the air going in would be hot since the way out is so near. IMO
Click to expand...
Thanks for the responses guys.... FYI. The output is ducted out a window, so no worries about the hot air coming back in. Also, in number 3, that would be a curve, not a flat tube on the left side.

BTW, the fans are Active Air 8" 720 CFM.
 
Last edited:
60SOG

60SOG

Active Member
Ok. What kind of fans are you using?
How long is the distance from intake to exhaust?
Is there a possibility of having 2 parallel (ex nº 1) air circuits running 2 fans each(intake and exhaust), skipping the Y?

<::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<

<::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<

something like the ex. above?
Im running 1 one those "<::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<" w/ 3 250w hps...doing fine.
 
AlGore

AlGore

Well-Known Member
60SOG said:
Ok. What kind of fans are you using?
How long is the distance from intake to exhaust?
Is there a possibility of having 2 parallel (ex nº 1) air circuits running 2 fans each(intake and exhaust), skipping the Y?

<::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<

<::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<

something like the ex. above?
Im running 1 one those "<::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<" w/ 3 250w hps...doing fine.
Click to expand...
I'm still trying to figure everything out with the holes I have, etc, lol.

I don't think I could do 2 exhaust ports but maybe.
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
DON'T PUSH AIR THROUGH SEALED HOODS! You'll just make them even hotter.

All of your options have this rather serious flaw.

Your best choice of the the options listed is the second one, only attach your fan to the Y connector and suck air from both sides. It will do just fine.

Yes, I'm sure; I've run just one 8" muffin fan in the above configuration and it kept eight thousand watts of lighting nice n cool.
 
AlGore

AlGore

Well-Known Member
ttystikk said:
DON'T PUSH AIR THROUGH SEALED HOODS! You'll just make them even hotter.

All of your options have this rather serious flaw.

Your best choice of the the options listed is the second one, only attach your fan to the Y connector and suck air from both sides. It will do just fine.

Yes, I'm sure; I've run just one 8" muffin fan in the above configuration and it kept eight thousand watts of lighting nice n cool.
Click to expand...
Interesting, I'll look into this but everything I've read and everyone else I've talked to says to push, not pull.

1. Blow, don't suck.
It is preferable to set up your air-cooled grow light reflectors so that the inline fan is positioned before the reflectors, blowing air through, rather than afterwards, sucking air. Multiple reasons: sucking hot, humid air through your fans will shorten their lifespan—and blowing air through your air-cooled grow light ventilation system creates a positive pressure inside it—meaning that any small leaks merely result in the air spilling out into your garden, to be dealt with by your garden's ventilation system. Sucking, on the other hand, creates a negative pressure which has the potential of bringing unfiltered air from your garden into your air-cooled grow light ventilation system. So remember—blow, don't suck!
Click to expand...
Inline extraction fans are commonly designed to be positioned close to exit vents so that they extract (or suck) air from a room. However, when used as part of an air-cooled lighting system, it's preferable to push air over your lamps that is, your inline fan is positioned before your air-cooled reflectors. Not only does blowing cool air create less wear and tear on your fan's motor than sucking warm air all the while, but you will enjoy more control over air movement in and around your garden. Blowing creates a positive pressure inside your air-cooled lighting ventilation system. If there are any leaks then air will spill into your garden and be dealt with by your garden's ventilation system. Pulling, on the other hand, creates a negative pressure inside your air-cooled lighting ventilation system, so any leaks will draw your garden's unfiltered air in.
Click to expand...
Also I've always thought this would be the best way to hook up lights but its a lot more expensive... http://www.grozine.com/2014/02/19/setting-up-air-cooled-grow-lights/
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
AlGore said:
Interesting, I'll look into this but everything I've read and everyone else I've talked to says to push, not pull.





Also I've always thought this would be the best way to hook up lights but its a lot more expensive... http://www.grozine.com/2014/02/19/setting-up-air-cooled-grow-lights/
Click to expand...
If you don't believe me, set it up both ways, run the bulb for thirty minutes each and then let your hand be the judge.

Remember that air is a 'compressible fluid' and that when composed, Gas Law dictates that the air will heat up. Every fan works like a compressor. BLOW your hot room air through water cooled air handlers to maximize the temperature differential... and SUCK thru your heat sources. Even better, place your exhaust fan outside the growroom and have it suck air through your light fixtures. This will minimize the heat in your grow room.
 
J

jkwrestling13

Well-Known Member
I pull air through my hoods. I started out pushing and they were much too hot. Now i can touch the glass and dont even feel heat. Running 2 1000 watts with a hyper fan 8. I would definitely pull the air.
 
Carolina Dream'n

Carolina Dream'n

Well-Known Member
Heat collects from the bulb weather you push or pull air over it. The two lights on the far left of your diagram will always be hotter than the others. Pushing air over it allows the hot air to never come in contact with you fan, saving some lifespan. I have seen people suck air through with shotty hoods, they were running through 20lb co2 tanks in 3 days. And it reeked outside of their spot.
 
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