Greetings from a grow noob I haven't grown yet, but I'm planning one with CFL's. I haven't found much info on here about wiring them up except for taking apart a lamp or something. Anyway I got some fixtures likes these Now obviously I can't wire my CFL's up to the ceiling and trail them into my grow box I was wondering could I attach a plug onto the end of the wire where it attaches to the ceiling? I was thinking if it was plugged into the mains it might be too strong or something and blow them up which I don't want to happen. What do lamps use? Do they have a transformer in them? Anyone point me in the right direction? Sorry if its been asked before.
Get an extention cord cut the female end off strip the end wire nut it to your lamp wires and plug it in . it should work. imo clf dont work very well. get a small metal halide
I tried it with gooseneck lamps, they don't work very well, IMO. I prefer the clamp lights with reflectors. You can get them for like $5 at any Wal-Mart, and they come with a 15' cord too.
Plus, the clamp lights are also easy to modify and merge, etc. If you have a Y splitter going on (2 lights in one socket) then you have to remove the reflector ... .
Thanks for the ideas. I dont have any lamps to destroy ATM, I was hoping to use them fixtures I bought. What makes the lamp so special? Does it have something in it or is it connected directly to the mains? Ive got some extension wire I could use. Should I try it plugged into the mains or is it too dangerous?
Don't just wire nut an extension cord to the end of the lights with out your connections being in some kind of box!! Those lights are designed to be mounted on a wall or a ceiling with some kind of box behind it where the connections are! I have no idea what you mean when you say plug it into the mains? What the hell is a mains? Now if you were to wire an extension cord to it and plug it into an outlet it WILL work. But I don't recomend using these lights this way, it can become a big fire hazard! Like the guy said above, go out and buy those cheap ass clamp style reflectors and use them. It sounds as though your electrical knowledge is limited, therefore I would try to keep that aspect of your grow as simple as possible and not try to rig things up that are shady!! No offense by that either. The CFL's that it sounds like you are looking into have a ballast attached to them all ready. Just srew the bulb into the fixture and it works. Thats the great thing about cfl's.
Thanks for that. I dont know if its a british thing but the mains is the electrics for the house i.e plug sockets etc. I might try connecting it directly and maybe boxing it up or something. And sorry scripter, I dont really get your post? :S
I think by mains he means directly into the electric. Like, through the wall and into the wires. If you're not a pro electrician, I don't recommend fucking with that. And if you have a fire.... the feces will hit the fan.
Lol. Well I just tried plugging it directly into the mains and it worked! Couldnt see any problems with it. Ill post pics of what Ive done if itll help anyone else... Now I need some kind of adaptor for a few CFLs... Havent seen any about in the UK though.
Nope we dont! Good or bad thing? Weve got Asda, which is owned by walmart, but theyre shite. We have a supermarket called Tesco which are like walmart ie EVERYWHERE but I dont think theyll have that sort of stuff.
Not too sure what the issue is here - CFL's are designed to replace normal light bulbs so can be screwed (or twisted in the base of BC22 - Bayonet Cap lamps - normal for the UK) into the fitting. As such, any standard lamp holder, be it batten lampholder (lamp socket fitted to a holder designed to be attached to wall / ceiling), standard lamp fitting like the one in the first picture etc. Easy to wire as each only needs live and neutral connections - can be taken to "choc blocks" (screw terminal strips), individual mains plugs (the "mains" is the usual UK speak for the electricity supply via wall sockets / lighting etc) HOWEVER - need to take care when watering / high humidity etc as don't want to risk getting a shock on 240V... Only standard fluorescent tubes or metal Halide / sodium lamps usually require ballasts - CFL's have them built in to the lamp. PS B&Q or Homebase etc are good sources for all the bits.