T5 fluorescent fixtures seem to be way overpriced, so I would like to take a regular fluorescent fixture and convert it. I've found a web site that sells the bulb holder pieces for a few dollars each, and I have a regular flourescent 4 foot four bulb fixture...but I'm not sure what kind of ballast is required and if the bulb lengths are the same. I'm looking for some advice or suggestions about this...
Making your own T5 fixture?
- Thread starter dfarns
- Start date
fuzzengrum
Well-Known Member
I have thought about how this can be done cheaply and would love to know what kind of progress you make here.
I am severely lacking in the electronics knowledge area but from basic operation I assume you have to have a ballast that meets the wattage of the lightbulb(s)? Im not sure how it effects multiple lights and such
I would really like to find a way to power some of these bulbs >
http://www.1000bulbs.com/27-Watt-4-Pin-GX10q4-Base-Compact-Fluorescent-Light-Bulbs/38764/
I am severely lacking in the electronics knowledge area but from basic operation I assume you have to have a ballast that meets the wattage of the lightbulb(s)? Im not sure how it effects multiple lights and such
I would really like to find a way to power some of these bulbs >
http://www.1000bulbs.com/27-Watt-4-Pin-GX10q4-Base-Compact-Fluorescent-Light-Bulbs/38764/
supernovagrowlights
Member
the replacement ballasts for a 4 lamp is about $99 the good lock in sockets are about $5 so just for the sockets and ballast you are looking at $140, the regular 4 foot fixtures dont have reflectors, i highly recommend them for the t5 you dont want any up light for growing you want only down light with out the reflector you'll be losing some serious lumins, plus a ac power cord plus wire nuts and about 1.5 hrs for someone that doesnt know what they are doing im a lighting technician and i can take me .5 hour to retro fit and im fast so after time labor parts its proboly about the same in not a lillte cheaper just to by one thats already made. by the way i sell the 6 lamp t5 for $199.99 on my website www.supernovagrowlights.com, if you do try to tackle this project let me know ill try to help
supernovagrowlights
Member
I'm Not 100% sure on this but from what ive seen the 2 lamp models are not High Output comaptible, which means they must use regular t5 dont get me wrong the regular t5 are good but the T5 HO's are way better
regular t5 output 2500 lumens per lamp
T5 HO output 5000 Lumens Per lamp
Twice as bright
snew are you happy with your 4 lamp set up?
i run a 6 lamp above plants and 2 4 lamps 1 on each side (all 6500K during veg and then 7 3500k and 7 6500K during bloom)
elegentsmoker
Member
no ballast all you have to is bypass ignitor or so thats what you tube video said just some info for you give it try let me know if it works
Has anyone seen the T8 to T5 converters? I've seen them advertised for export on Chinese websites, but I don't know if they are available here yet, or how well they work.
They make up for the size difference between T8 and T5 bulbs, and they have electronics incorporated for the ballast part. This would be a great solution if it works.
They make up for the size difference between T8 and T5 bulbs, and they have electronics incorporated for the ballast part. This would be a great solution if it works.
supernovagrowlights
Member
yes you are correct
I havent seen any t8's with ignitors
the only lamps ive seen with ignitors are HPS and some f15t12's they run on an h2 ballast all t8 should have a rapid start or a programed start ballast
if you go with the t5 fixture i definetly recommend the 6 lamp, if you choose not to go with the t5 fixture go with an HPS ballast set up and use a ceramic metal halide lamp for veg and an HPS lamp for budding
CMH lamps run on an HPS ballast but produce the colors of regular metal halide then when you are ready just throw in an HPS lamp
Here is the spectrums
Attachments
1mikej
Well-Known Member
i use the regular t5 lamps 28 watts from home depot. they work great. the ho are just more wattage not better. you just need 2 reg t5 to equal 1 ho t5. the more wattage the hotter the bulb. my plant can touch the bulb for a while before damage results. basicaly when your talking about t5 bulbs of equal lenth 1 watt is 1 watt, in fact 28 watt bulbs are about 2700 lumes at 65k which is more efiecient than the ho bulbs by 200 lumes.
supernovagrowlights
Member
if anyone is still wathing this thread, i just put t5 ballast up on my website for 79.99
it will do 1,2,3 or 4 : 4 foot t5 HO lamps
www.supernovagrowlights.com
it will do 1,2,3 or 4 : 4 foot t5 HO lamps
www.supernovagrowlights.com
10jed
Active Member
Fuham ballasts are very high quality and cheap. I have the "workhorse 5" in my veg cab which will run 3 @ 27w lamps and that was purchased locally for about $20. The workhorse 7 or 8 series will run 4 @ 55w or 6 @ 36w (wh8 ) and they are only about $30. They are an electronic ballast which is great for our use. I had communications with one of their reps to help me select and use the right ballast and he was very helpful. Super easy to wire these.
Jed
Jed