Ideas for building a cab.

djwimbo

Well-Known Member
I'm a DIY'er, and I like building things. Building a small cab/box is cheaper than a tent, even with lining it with mylar, orca, etc. I like the idea of using a tent, but in MI we're required to have it locked up. It's hard to "lock" a tent.

I've been kicking this design around in my head for about a month, and I finally took the time to draw it up in CAD.

Basic ideas behind the design:
1: Dimensions 48W 24D 72H, 8ft² or 40ft³ if you subtract the lower chamber - I could make the inner chamber a foot taller too, still and option. Which would make the upper chamber 54ft³.
2: all internal piping/hoses/wiring/fans/filters (keep the light inside)
3: DIY carbon filter and intake filter
4: fit 3-4 DWC 5Gal pots
5: some amount of storage below for nutes, EC meter, etc.

Lighting (for demonstration purposes) is the IndaGro PAR200. I could run a 400W HID, but I'd prefer not to. There's also enough room to add a LED panel on either side of the current lighting fixture during bloom, I was thinking Kessil's or some other UFO-ish style. Technically there's enough room to run the PAR420, or a 48" T5HO setup, based on the dimensions. I would have to reconfigure the exhaust fan location a bit, but not a major issue.

Intake/exhaust is underneath the chamber with the plants, and separated/vented out each side. In the pic, red is the intake, grey is the carbon filter/exhaust. I didn't make the plumbing to/from the floor to the fans, but the intake fan is tucked behind the left pot and the exhaust fan is near the ceiling on the right side. There would be flex ducting to/from those fans. HTG supply is close enough to me that it makes sense to get stuff from them, I figured a 6" inline fan(in and out) is plenty for my needs. They would be on a fan speed controller and timer, depending on how much I need to control the climate. With the small size of the cab, I shouldn't need a lot of airflow, even to cool an HID. http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-6in-Inline-Duct-Fan.asp

Lumber is 3"x1" uprights, the separator on the bottom is 3/4" MDF, and the outer panels would either be Masonite or some type of plywood/paneling.
For the purpose of viewing and understanding, the top and doors have been removed(made see-through).

I was planning on lining the interior with Orca film. http://www.horticulturesource.com/product_info.php?products_id=9765

I'm thinking mostly indicas and hybrid strains, keep 'em short and bushy.

Constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

- DJ

 

Fyremann619

Active Member
Loving the idea, and am similarly in the process of making 2 cabinets, one for veg one for flower. Veg just about done, sustaining life well. The flower cabinet with the 400w HPS will be the most elaborate so I'm also going to draw that up, in solidworks....

I like the exhaust system, but I'm a big fan of exhausting high and intaking low.

Right now I have my 3'w x 1.5'dp x 3.5' high cabinet exhausting with a can9000 and an induct 4" fan. It's holding good temps and humidity with the exhaust running constantly. Previously I chose a 4" vortex and even on the lowest speed I could get it to run at, was drying out my space way to quickly, so I had to pulse the exhaust. I'm much happier with the 4" induct fan on all the time. So be careful choosing the fan and also be aware the induct type fans like you chose do not do speed control very well. My 4" vortex centrifugal does speed adjust well, but it's just to much for my small cabinet. The 4" vortex will serve a good purpose cooling the 400w hps, because that will be in a cabinet only slightly larger than my veg. I'll exhaust that with a 6" indict fan and probably again passive intake.

Good luck, can't wait to see some progress...
 

djwimbo

Well-Known Member
I was thinking of making a scrog panel hinged off the rear wall as well. From what I've been reading, a twine or string would be ideal, that way I can run it through eyelets on the frame and cut the strings when it's time to crop.
I had considered running the 4" fans instead of the 6" as well, I just figured that if I did end up running an HID, that the 6" would be needed.

I'd be interested in seeing your setup as well, thanks for the positive feedback.
 
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