Think i have solved RubberMaid CFL Heat Problems!

So i was out getting my rubbermaid setup supplies, when i stopped by a light store and found some interesting fixtures!

Since the ballast of most CFL lights are what cause the heat, more lights on 1 ballast = more heat.

Check out what i found and installed into my rubbermaid box.



I tackled my lights before i did anything else , and found that it is very convenient to have separate single bulb fixtures ( Can place then at any angle , separately )AND i bet it will cut down on heat as well.

I wired all 4 26W 6500K bulbs to a single connector that will then be wired to a mains plug. As you can see below:



And heres a look inside the box:


Once I've wired everything up , ill take readings from inside the box to find out if temps are ok.

I also have a 12V computer fan wired to a nokia charger, acting as an air extractor, and will install 2 smaller CPU Fans inside to stimulate natures winds.
I will probably start seedings on only 1 box, to keep them as close to the lights as possbile, then as the plant grows taller , add the second box on the bottom to move the plant downwards from light as it grows taller.


What do you guys think ?

The ballasts are attached to the cfl bulb (they're the white thing). There will only ever be one cfl ballast per bulb ever. This arrangement might provide better airflow and heat dissipation, but I'm not sure if it will be significantly cooler than any other cfl setup.

any reason you bought transparent tubs? i would paint them black if i were you otherwise you'll have a blue glowing box that won't provide any type of dark period. my dr40 tent w/ 8 cfl's and 120mm pc fan sat at 70-75 degrees all day. i'd also add like 4 more cfl's too and a passive intake on the bottom of the box.

Gmrpr7 said:

The ballasts are attached to the cfl bulb (they're the white thing). There will only ever be one cfl ballast per bulb ever. This arrangement might provide better airflow and heat dissipation, but I'm not sure if it will be significantly cooler than any other cfl setup.

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Yes but i see other people wire there ballasts together, in a circuit , and boxing them together, probably creating more heat in 1 area. Maybe your right , it will just spread the heat out more evenly.

dirt nasty said:

any reason you bought transparent tubs? i would paint them black if i were you otherwise you'll have a blue glowing box that won't provide any type of dark period. my dr40 tent w/ 8 cfl's and 120mm pc fan sat at 70-75 degrees all day. i'd also add like 4 more cfl's too and a passive intake on the bottom of the box.

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Once i line the inside with mylar , they will be opaque

you can get 100w cfls at home depot that do not have the ballast on the bulb...

I see one flaw with your setup. How are you going to adjust the bulbs and surround the plant with the bulbs set to a fixed location? Unless your going to have supplemental lighting down below your plants (I believe) would get stretchy.

devn00b said:

I see one flaw with your setup. How are you going to adjust the bulbs and surround the plant with the bulbs set to a fixed location? Unless your going to have supplemental lighting down below your plants (I believe) would get stretchy.

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"I will probably start seedings on only 1 box, to keep them as close to the lights as possbile, then as the plant grows taller , add the second box on the bottom to move the plant downwards from light as it grows taller."

Something like that ,ill inovate