Little CFL Cabinet Getting Way Too Hot

abazaba840

Active Member
What's up everyone! Well I have a cabinet that is 1.5x1.5x1.25 feet (I think it is 2.8 sqft) with four 23w and one 42w cfl bulbs. I have a little 10in fan inside, but with the door closed, it gets to about 105°! I took the door off and it still going from 85° to 90°. What can I do so that I can put the door back on (and stop the light from going all over my closet, and most of my room haha) and bring it down to around 79°? Will two 23w and the 42w work for one plant in that small of a space? I just want as much light as possible:mrgreen:


Thanks a lot!
 

jesco51

Active Member
You should drill a hole in the bottom of the box with a computer fan blowing air in. Then a hole in the top wit another pc fan blowing air out. That way you get some air flowing through that tight space.
 

Snickerdoodle

Active Member
CPU fans are small and cheap. Find a way to power them (there's various methods) and taadaaa cheap, small intake/exhaust fans =)

Also if your lights are close to the ceiling, consider getting another cpu fan to blow the heat off the bulbs and into the exhaust.

You're one tigerdirect order away from solving your heat problems if you don't already have an intake and exhaust set up.
 

Belesar

Active Member
Any chance u can post up a couple of pics of your setup? That way people might be able to work out a design for airflow for you. :)
 

abazaba840

Active Member
Wow thanks a lot. I didn't even think to use pc fans haha I have a few extras laying around somewhere. Wish I had a cam to show you all what I have to work with, but soon enough I will. Hell maybe I will start a journal. Thanks again everyone!
 

400aZip

Well-Known Member
Ive got a little bigger space but this is what Im working with. Im sure venting from the A/C would be over kill for your small space. However, I would add as many fans as money and space allows before you take away light. Yes, the plant will be fine with less light, but you want at much light as possible (as temperatures allow)

Im using a fan at bulb level to cool them off a bit. I'm having great success with this setup
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abazaba840

Active Member
Hey guys good news! I found two pc fans in my house. I have one on the top center for exhaust and one in the bottom corner for intake. I also put my little 10in fan next to the intake to move the cold air around. I have dropped the temp to around 82 deg with only one of the 23w taken out.I can live with 4 lights until I get a couple more fans. Thanks again for all of the amazing feedback!
 

Snickerdoodle

Active Member
Something you didn't have to buy! Even better! I'm all for growing on the cheap if you can. There's enough to growing that's expensive! :lol:

Glad to hear you're temps are lowered. Is that with the door back on?
 
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