Question bout flourescents..
- Thread starter ComplexMind
- Start date
That is a really good idea but it doesn't work in my cabinet. The board that the lights are fixed on has very little slack on any sides, so I don't have room for the side angle reflectors. I do intend to line the inside with mylar, but haven't gotten around to it yet. My intention was to focus the majority of the light emitted by a CFL directly to the plant.
how would I go about making a fixture for my CFLs since the sockets that I bought never came with one?
Chumlie
Well-Known Member
Sakeser
"That is a really good idea but it doesn't work in my cabinet. The board that the lights are fixed on has very little slack on any sides, so I don't have room for the side angle reflectors. I do intend to line the inside with mylar, but haven't gotten around to it yet. My intention was to focus the majority of the light emitted by a CFL directly to the plant."
What about paper plates cut about 3" to 5" pie shape out of the side and then cone it, but before you do that mylar it.
"That is a really good idea but it doesn't work in my cabinet. The board that the lights are fixed on has very little slack on any sides, so I don't have room for the side angle reflectors. I do intend to line the inside with mylar, but haven't gotten around to it yet. My intention was to focus the majority of the light emitted by a CFL directly to the plant."
What about paper plates cut about 3" to 5" pie shape out of the side and then cone it, but before you do that mylar it.
Chumlie
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redlined
how would I go about making a fixture for my CFLs since the sockets that I bought never came with one?
Redlined I forgot to ask you are they vertical like sakeservor horizontal, if they are horizontal use a can cut the top out and half a side.
Originally Posted by Redlined
how would I go about making a fixture for my CFLs since the sockets that I bought never came with one?
Redlined I forgot to ask you are they vertical like sakeservor horizontal, if they are horizontal use a can cut the top out and half a side.
you can use an old beer can too make a reflector.
YouTube - Cfl Reflector
How too make a dirt cheap CFL reflector !!!!
Tamzi
YouTube - Cfl Reflector
How too make a dirt cheap CFL reflector !!!!
Tamzi
they are gonna be hanging so the lights will be pointing downQuote:
Originally Posted by Redlined
how would I go about making a fixture for my CFLs since the sockets that I bought never came with one?
Redlined I forgot to ask you are they vertical like sakeservor horizontal, if they are horizontal use a can cut the top out and half a side.
The paper plate idea is actually pretty good. I imagine it would go something like this:
1. get a paper plate and line it with mylar
2. Make a radial cut (i.e. a straight cut from the perimeter to the centre
3. Fold one of the newly cut edges under the other forming a cone. The height of the cone increases (and becomes narrower) as you increase the overlap.
4. After you have determined the right amount of overlap, faster the edges together with glue, tape, stapes, etc.
5. cut a 2" or so hold from the top (point edge) of the cone.
6. From this newly created hole, make 4 equally spaced 1" incisions so you have 4 flaps. You can then try to push the bulb base (the socket and ballast) so that it fits sug against the ballast of the CFL. If it does not, increase the length of the 4 incisions made earlier. Iterate that until it fits snug and reinforce with tape on the CFL if you like.
Shit, I like that. I think I am going to try that myself. I just got 6 plastic beer cups that I was going to line with mylar, but I think making one out of a paper plate would be better because of the angle of the paper plate idea. In any case, mylar is 99% reflective so multiple angle bounces of light don't lead to too much loss, but the paper plate would be more directive I imagine.
1. get a paper plate and line it with mylar
2. Make a radial cut (i.e. a straight cut from the perimeter to the centre
3. Fold one of the newly cut edges under the other forming a cone. The height of the cone increases (and becomes narrower) as you increase the overlap.
4. After you have determined the right amount of overlap, faster the edges together with glue, tape, stapes, etc.
5. cut a 2" or so hold from the top (point edge) of the cone.
6. From this newly created hole, make 4 equally spaced 1" incisions so you have 4 flaps. You can then try to push the bulb base (the socket and ballast) so that it fits sug against the ballast of the CFL. If it does not, increase the length of the 4 incisions made earlier. Iterate that until it fits snug and reinforce with tape on the CFL if you like.
Shit, I like that. I think I am going to try that myself. I just got 6 plastic beer cups that I was going to line with mylar, but I think making one out of a paper plate would be better because of the angle of the paper plate idea. In any case, mylar is 99% reflective so multiple angle bounces of light don't lead to too much loss, but the paper plate would be more directive I imagine.
MrFishy
Well-Known Member
Because one could actually lick 99% of a regular 40W fluorescent tubes (T-12) while it's lit, vegetation touching it cannot and will not suffer burn/heat damage.
The heat is in the ends. Greens touching the ends could easily be damaged.
When talking these regular shop-light tubes, close as possible means closer than 1"-2" for optimal veg growth with these less-than-optimal lights.
The heat is in the ends. Greens touching the ends could easily be damaged.
When talking these regular shop-light tubes, close as possible means closer than 1"-2" for optimal veg growth with these less-than-optimal lights.