Over 24,000 lumens for $30 (Not including bulbs) DIY light fixture

hepzibah

hepzibah

Active Member
I needed more light and didn't want to spend a lot of money so I bought:

1: 1 in x 2 in x 8 ft board ($2)
10: light socket adapters ($10)
2: pack of 2 6-plug surge protectors ($14)

I already had:
1: 6-plug surge protector
screws
bulbs
zip ties
galvanized half pipe for reflector


And this is what I put together:
IMG_0581.jpg

There are two smaller bulbs missing from the lower right side, but you get the idea. It measures 28 in x 18 and it fits in my cabinet with just a little wiggle room.

The bulbs I have in it (or plan to go in it) are:
2-65W (3800 lumens each)
4-42W (2600 lumens each)
4-23W (1600 lumens each)

I also added a reflector (just a galvanized duct) to the top of it. I made a hole in it and attached an exhaust duct. It is still pretty hot with all the bulbs and two fans blowing on it but damn is it bright!!!

Just thought I would share.
 
hepzibah

hepzibah

Active Member
brotherjericho said:
Well at least we know you aren't stealth :).
Click to expand...
It is kind of loud, but the cabinet is pretty close to the bathroom and with both fans running, you can't really tell noise is coming from the cabinet unless you open it. Luckily, I don't have to be stealth about though! :lol:
 
justugh

justugh

Well-Known Member
damn fine redneck jerry rigging ..............the cletus's of the world would be impressed

have u thought about taken some wire bending into a arc and they using some mylar on top as a reflector .......if u hang some off the side it would make little tent like thing u could cover the plant ........with it on a hook and rachet system u could hang so almost touching floor the light should cuase a draft from the heat rise .....use a small fan blow tho the top remove the heat make a bigger draft
 
hepzibah

hepzibah

Active Member
justugh said:
damn fine redneck jerry rigging ..............the cletus's of the world would be impressed

have u thought about taken some wire bending into a arc and they using some mylar on top as a reflector .......if u hang some off the side it would make little tent like thing u could cover the plant ........with it on a hook and rachet system u could hang so almost touching floor the light should cuase a draft from the heat rise .....use a small fan blow tho the top remove the heat make a bigger draft
Click to expand...
Haha! Thanks! :)

I hadn't thought of that because I already had the duct. The sheet thing would probably work but it is already pretty tight in my cabinet so I don't really have the room to try it. Let me know if you do though!
 
Thundercat

Thundercat

Well-Known Member
Thats a cool rig man, I like DYI lights!

Just thought I'd share this man. I've been running DIY lights for about 4 years now. I have 2 currently and have built a couple for friends. Very similar to yours but without the cost of the power strips. Mine holds 9 26 watt bulbs for over 200w. Not in any way saying its better, just sharing another idea I figured you might appreciate.

In the pictures the 9th bulb in the middle isn't in place yet.



Since these pictures were taken back in 08 I have covered the inside of the reflector with mylar type material. I run my mothers, clones, and seedlings under these. I've replaced the bulbs a couple times, but only because they run all the time. Otherwise I've only had one bulb ever even go out.
 
hepzibah

hepzibah

Active Member
infinitihigh said:
Very creative, I like how it looks!
Click to expand...
Thank you! :)

Thundercat said:
Thats a cool rig man, I like DYI lights!

Just thought I'd share this man. I've been running DIY lights for about 4 years now. I have 2 currently and have built a couple for friends. Very similar to yours but without the cost of the power strips. Mine holds 9 26 watt bulbs for over 200w. Not in any way saying its better, just sharing another idea I figured you might appreciate.

In the pictures the 9th bulb in the middle isn't in place yet.



Since these pictures were taken back in 08 I have covered the inside of the reflector with mylar type material. I run my mothers, clones, and seedlings under these. I've replaced the bulbs a couple times, but only because they run all the time. Otherwise I've only had one bulb ever even go out.
Click to expand...
That's very nice! I like the design. What is the base for the reflector? Is it three of those 3-way connectors? Do you have any problems with heat? It gets over 90 in my little cabinet if I have all the lights on and the door closed even with the exhaust, but it stays around 79 with the doors open.

Thanks for sharing-and I am totally jealous of your shrooms!!
 
Thundercat

Thundercat

Well-Known Member
The base is a wired female socket, with a 3 way screwed into it. Then the sides were 2 more 3 ways, 2 y's and the side plug ins. The reflector is just cardboard, and I don't know the exact temps, but with a fan in the room they are fine. I've actually got my HID ballast in the same room with 2 of these light setups, the room is only 3.5w x 7L x 7H. I"ve got a box fan on the floor blowing on the ballast and circulating air around the lights.

Man I miss having my shrooms around so much. I've wanted to grow some recently just don't have a good place to really do it right now practically. Thanks though, they were fun. I actually have tripped a couple times recently. I got an oz for 150 over a month ago, and me and the wife have about a 1/4 left.
 
hepzibah

hepzibah

Active Member
Thundercat said:
The base is a wired female socket, with a 3 way screwed into it. Then the sides were 2 more 3 ways, 2 y's and the side plug ins. The reflector is just cardboard, and I don't know the exact temps, but with a fan in the room they are fine. I've actually got my HID ballast in the same room with 2 of these light setups, the room is only 3.5w x 7L x 7H. I"ve got a box fan on the floor blowing on the ballast and circulating air around the lights.

Man I miss having my shrooms around so much. I've wanted to grow some recently just don't have a good place to really do it right now practically. Thanks though, they were fun. I actually have tripped a couple times recently. I got an oz for 150 over a month ago, and me and the wife have about a 1/4 left.
Click to expand...
My cabinet is only 2.5W x 2D x 4H. It is pretty small but this is my first ever grow. That's a pretty sweet light fixture though. I thought about using cardboard covered in mylar as a reflector but I wasn't sure if it was a fire hazard. Now I know it would work!

I have never purchased shrooms. I could always find cow pastures way more easily than people selling. Picking them was part of the fun, too. I haven't thought of cultivating them myself, but from what you posted, it looks like a good bit of work (totally worth it though, I am sure!). I haven't tripped in years. Maybe its about time!
 
Maphyr

Maphyr

Active Member
Thanks for posting this hepzibah. I've pretty much replicated what you have posted here, I had all the materials laying around the house and I needed a better light fixture than I currently use.

I got a quick question for you, what type of hooks did you use to hang with? The hook that goes into the wooden frame. I'm super paranoid about the fixture falling on my plant, so I want to make sure I'm using the correct hook.

Here's my copycat setup of yours.
029.jpg030.jpg031.jpg

Here's the hooks I have to use, just not sure which ones to use! Any help from anyone?
002.jpg
 
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