my DIY reflector 4 e-con 150 hps

[pinkus]

This works easy for CFLs 2. I used part of some extra ducting sections we have in our reuse pile. It's pretty simple and straight forward.

Part 1. The metal.

I used tin snips to cut out a piece around 7" or 8" long (I cut off the "connecting ridge" or whatever it's called and measuered there along that straight edge. Then cut perpendicular to the curve. I cut it a little wider than a half of a circle so I could cut away some to leave and bend tabs. Bending the tabs back is probably the hardest part of this whole project. I cut the tabs and scratched a bending line with an awl, clamped it to a workbench. Now clamp a straight piece of firm metal or hardwood so that the tab is clamped flat to the bench, table or even another piece of wood or metal, but the reflector itself is loose. Then all you have to do is carefully push the reflector up until the tab is @ a 90deg angle to the reflector. Repeate this on the other tab.

Part 2. The wood.

You need three pieces. 2 "arms" that hold the tabs. 1 to attach to the socket and the arms to.

First: Cut the Socket piece to fit the tabs, it should be long enough so that you can drill a hole or holes at the ends to attach the arms. They need to run ON TOP OF THE TABS so the lamp ends up inside the curve of the reflector.
Drill holes to fit the socket on the middle of the piece. ( i did need longer attachment screws)

Second: Cut the arm pieces. I used some straight wood trim (I think it's 1/2" X 1/4") I made them longer than the tab length so I could put in some hooks at the open end (no socket or wood).

Part three: fit and fudge. Make sure the thing fits and makes sense to you. If you only drill one hole in socket piece at each end to fit the arms, they can rotate on their axis in case things don't match perfectly. Once you are happy with how it fits drill holes for the tabs in the metal and the arms ( this is easiest if you clamp them together). Assemble and put in the screws. Then Paint the whole thing with Hightemp white paint.


Yeah, I know, no pictures! WTF! Can't show it right now;the ladies are sleeping.
No worries, I've got another one on the way, so i'll repeating all this myself.

 

[snowdog203]

Part 1. The metal.,,,
Yeah, I know, no pictures! WTF! Can't show it right now;the ladies are sleeping.
No worries, I've got another one on the way, so i'll repeating all this myself.

I am interested in the pics I just set up 4 150's so they are back to back creating a square using carriage bolts, my next phase is to build a reflector, I already bought the tin pipe and will be cutting soon. If you get the pix up I'll be cking em out. I was thinking of gluing mylar to the reflector.

 

[pinkus]

Part 1. The metal.,,,
Yeah, I know, no pictures! WTF! Can't show it right now;the ladies are sleeping.
No worries, I've got another one on the way, so i'll repeating all this myself.

I am interested in the pics I just set up 4 150's so they are back to back creating a square using carriage bolts, my next phase is to build a reflector, I already bought the tin pipe and will be cutting soon. If you get the pix up I'll be cking em out. I was thinking of gluing mylar to the reflector.

sorry guy. My camera broke and I needed the lumens asap! Both of them turned out nicely though

to be honest I hoped the thread would just die a natural death, burried under thousands of other DIYer's redundant posts I've seen some really nice professional looking units in these threads since I made mine

good luck

 

[pinkus]

the mylar seems like a good idea. two things spring to mind though:
1. I'd rivet or tack the mylar, or somehow fasten it not using adhesives unless it's like JB weld or something VERY heat resistant.
2. mylar is as conductive as metal but floppy. Make sure it can't cause a short.
good luck and sorry about the pics

peace

 

[snowdog203]

Mr. Pink,

Thanks for the heads up on Safety, although an electrician would have a fit on the way I canabalized the balast and lamp fixture, I am trying to start the new year off right. Anyway, I set my oven to 450F and put a piece of mylar in there, the mylar was 'glued' to a penny with some hair spray. I was really happy to see no flame occured!! The hairspray was only slightly adhesive and easily peeled away from the penny, I may try it anyway.

SD203

 

[pinkus]

Mr. Pink,

Thanks for the heads up on Safety, although an electrician would have a fit on the way I canabalized the balast and lamp fixture, I am trying to start the new year off right. Anyway, I set my oven to 450F and put a piece of mylar in there, the mylar was 'glued' to a penny with some hair spray. I was really happy to see no flame occured!! The hairspray was only slightly adhesive and easily peeled away from the penny, I may try it anyway.

SD203

Hairspray is the #1 way to put new grips on a bike!....I wouldn't be worried about flame so much as these aspects~ the hot/cold cycle will cause the backing and the mylar to expand at different rates, working it slowly loose. and the next is just that heating things up effectively "ages" anything, including adhesives. I would suggest a two part adhesive.

On the other hand, you could even velcro that sucker on there!

have fun

 

[snowdog203]

I wouldn't be worried about flame so much as these aspects~ the hot/cold cycle will cause the backing and the mylar to expand at different rates. I would suggest a two part adhesive.!have fun

Thanks for the feedback, I acted before your response, so we'll see how the hairspray goes. As tomorrow will be the first heat/cool cycle, I will be observing for problems. My reflector was made and put up in haste, and will be overhauled depending on issues that fall out. I put a pic up of the lights, all diy 4 150w's from e-conoline. My wiring has me worried, the wire is only rated to 75C and I noted the temp of my reflector at 71C, I'll keep an eye on it and may need to overhaul that soon or take it off line. Any comments on wiring and heat issues is appreciated. This is my first grow. we'll see sd203

 

[snowdog203]

Thanks for the feedback, I acted before your response, so we'll see how the hairspray goes. As tomorrow will be the first heat/cool cycle, I will be observing for problems. My reflector was made and put up in haste, and will be overhauled depending on issues that fall out. I put a pic up of the lights, all diy 4 150w's from e-conoline. My wiring has me worried, the wire is only rated to 75C and I noted the temp of my reflector at 71C, I'll keep an eye on it and may need to overhaul that soon or take it off line. Any comments on wiring and heat issues is appreciated. This is my first grow. we'll see sd203

I have tucked those lights away for a while, but may take them out rewire the wiring that is with the original lights to run out and away from the lamp to add a little more safety value to the lighting. And I always planned to remove the leather belt, it is just there temporarily.