PC Grow Question

Arcane Tarsius

New Member
Hey guy's! I'm in the process of planning out my pc grow and one of the problems i'm coming across is power. I was wondering, would it be possible for me to use a salvaged pc power supply to provide energy for my entire pc grow? I'm planning on only using 5050 SMD LED strips for lighting. My plan was to line all the sides of the pc case from about the halfway point on the case, up. I don't want to have to buy a bunch of 12v DC power adapters to power the fans and lights if I don't have to. If it is possible to power the fans and lights, how would I wire that stuff up? This is the specs of the power supply.

And here are images of the whole power supply.
 

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fishdeth

Well-Known Member
Seems like the 12V leg has plenty of amperage.
You could even run a 12V fan or 2 on the same wire, depending on the amp draw of the muffin fans.
 

Dragon311

Well-Known Member
You could...but it will take up precious space in your PC case.

The best option if you can find one, is to get your mitts on a 12v power adapter to something you don't need. Like an old router or hub power supply and splice the wires.

As for powering LEDS...I wouldn't use anything other than a legit power source designed for driving LEDs.

Cutting corners when it comes to power is not a good idea IMHO.
 

Maude

Member
It's been a long time, but here's how ... someone :oops:... connected his :P
And it is still working fine !
 
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torontoke

Well-Known Member
Dont put the time and money into a pc grow.
U will yield less than cost of materials and hydro

If ur dead set on growing get yourself an armoire or cabinet
 

sativablind

Active Member
Dont listen to torontoke, Pc grows can yield plenty of smoke for one or two people, and you can look on youtube or the forums to prove that. On to your question- You dont want to use a pc power supply because it takes up too much space inside the grow box. Also, those LEDs wont do your grow justice during the flowering stage but you may be able to do alright for the veg stage. My advice would be to use LEDs as supplemental lighting, and CFLs as primary lighting. You can buy a 26.5" tower for your build here http://pcgrowcase.com/13-grow-box-accessories
 

OGWAFFLES

New Member
Dont put the time and money into a pc grow.
U will yield less than cost of materials and hydro

If ur dead set on growing get yourself an armoire or cabinet
But some people cannot have a big ass grow box bro. Like me I am growing in the smallest pc case LOL. Its all about what you can work with....
 

torontoke

Well-Known Member
How much do u expect to yield out of a pc case?
Seriously?
Is it worth the risk and or the hydro nutes etc?
 

OGWAFFLES

New Member
I dont power my lights with a power supply I just ran an extension cord into the case and used the power supply for the fans with the "power supply paper clip trick" which is very very unsafe. It blew out the electricity in my room and 3 other rooms in my house and I had to reset the circut breaker in my house. XD Fucking with power supplies are no joke guys XD
 

OGWAFFLES

New Member
@torontoke I understand now.... The electricity bills matter but my parents leave all the lights on and shit around the house. And I am just growing for myself no profit. And I doubt one regular light and a couple of fans won't cost anything XD
 

VinoGreen

Member
Good luck. I'm optimistic about it. Connect with me. I'm starting a PC Grow Box as we speak. I managed to fit my 9 in 200w Vegmaster California Light Works into a full tower pc case. It says there is some blue and red spectrum. I have not heard one knowledgable grower tell me what happens when you use a veg light for flowing... I keep asking though :)

Anyone??? Whats the true downside. I keep getting frowns but no actual proof or specifics why this is bad and HOW it effects the final product...
 

torontoke

Well-Known Member
The different light spectrum doesnt help the plant produce flowers.
The veg spectrum promotes foliar growth so leaves and new branches.
It will make buds but they will be light and fluffy, hardly worth growing imho
 

VinoGreen

Member
The different light spectrum doesnt help the plant produce flowers.
The veg spectrum promotes foliar growth so leaves and new branches.
It will make buds but they will be light and fluffy, hardly worth growing imho
In a small pc grow situation, what compact light shall work best for flowering? I'm looking for a solution that's relatively less than $100. This light for flowering, shall I keep it on in addition to the veg 200w LED? I want compact bud, not fluffy lol.
 

torontoke

Well-Known Member
You could build a cob led for flowering for less than 100$
Im not an led guy but theres lots of good guys on here that can help.
In that small area heat is gonna ur biggest issue.

Good luck
 
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