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need help with cfl lighting and electrical work ???

Discussion in 'Grow Room Design/Setup' started by jocasmoka, May 1, 2016.

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  1. #1 jocasmoka, May 1, 2016
    hello guys i already posted in the dyi section but didnt get much replies and information about my situation....
    basicaly i blew out like 6 cfl's already ... i have a lot of questions ... for start ? does a 40 watt cfl 230 v e 27 goes in regular socket ? like in the house for example ... because first i put them in cheap lamps and they blew so i figured it must be the lamps... then i got extension cord with socket that you can plug the bulb directly in the socket and then to the wall plug and bought big 80 watt 400 watt replacment bulb that i put on the wire socket... it worked all right and after a couple of hours it started getting really hot and smeled like burnt plastic so i took it off fearing it will blow... and put a 40 watt cfl on the same cord wich blew up after an hour or so.... btw i have 2 23 watt bulbs running now in the shitty lamps with no problems... so basicaly i need to pin point what is the cause of this problem so i can get my grow closet in order... any help is apreaciated btw i made an account on this forum just to ask this after reading and searching alot....
     
  2. #2 whackyac, May 1, 2016
    The socket is correct, but its getting far too hot. You have to make it less hot or your bulbs will keep breaking and your plant will die.
     
  3. #3 jocasmoka, May 1, 2016
    well i was under the impression that cfl's are cooler than hps ? ?? why is it that hot ? for example why does it get hot even when i put it on my regular socket in the room ? are these intended to run with some sort of cooling or what ? im so confused right now do i need a ballast or something for the big bulb ? or maybe some cheramic sockets ??!? pls help
     
  4. #4 Duke nukem', May 2, 2016
    Watt for watt cfls / hps give off around the same heat . No you don't need any ballast for it that's what the big lump of plastic below the glass part of the cfl is , ceramic holder is pre faired in any grow lamp holder , I'm confused as to what wattage cfl you wanna run though , is it a 400w cfl ?
    The lights will get hot but don't know why they ed pop , you should have a good air circulation in your grow room anyways so run it with a fan blowing on it .

    Sounds like a dodgy lamp cord to me , go buy a new one pref ceramic and see how you go

    If life gives you lemons
    You make lemonade
     
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  5. #5 jocasmoka, May 2, 2016
    hey thanks for commenting well its a 80 watt bulb equiavelnt of 400 watt its very big ass bulb and it costs a lot too ... so im scared to damage it since my previous issues with bulbs blowing up.... anyways i saw that they use a reflector kinda hood/thing for growing with socket so i thought maybe i need to buy that or make my own to light it up anyways ... btw im in process of doing my dyi fixtures and wanted to make with 1 big bulb and smaller from the sides preferably the 40 watt ones but now idk...and what do you mean about pre faired ? i dont understand that part sry for my bad english
     
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  6. #6 Duke nukem', May 2, 2016
    Okay so it's 80w the equivalent value is for comparing against incandescent bulbs (no good for growing)

    It may be different where your from but here in the UK most lamp holders have a max wattage rating on them , usually 40w for the plastic ones ,

    You said your bulb fits a normal socket so I wouldn't recommend getting a grow lamp shade as grow bulbs have a much larger screwing fitting . So you'll either have to get a growing cfl or adapter to downsize it as well .

    Pre faired means it would be better for the job . ie less of a fire hazard .

    I recommend going getting either a ceramic lamp holder and cord or looking on ebay or amazon for a suitably rated holder as I believe your overloading your holder and placing your self at risk

    If life gives you lemons
    You make lemonade
     
  7. #7 jocasmoka, May 2, 2016
    Hey thx again...hey what kind of adapter are you talking about? And what do you mean by downsizing....btw in my country there is no special grow shops so most of the stuff i sourced from local shops ... Can you send me some link or explain about the (holder) cause i dont know what are you talking about... Sry about the noob questions....

    Sent from my A50LT using Grasscity Forum mobile app
     
  8. #8 jocasmoka, May 2, 2016
  9. #9 Duke nukem', May 2, 2016
  10. #10 jocasmoka, May 2, 2016
    So basicaly i should go to the electric shop... And tell them to give me this socket or equivalent replacement and get the rest of the stuff needed to connect it to a plug ? And also if i cant find ceramic Y connectors could plastic ones do the job or nah ? Btw i cant order from net they dont ship to my country :S it sucks i know... Thanks again

    Sent from my A50LT using Grasscity Forum mobile app
     
  11. #11 jocasmoka, May 2, 2016
    And if i get this ceramic stuff do you think i still need direct fan blowing to cool it or it wont be an issue ? Because i dont think people actually mount fans to cool this bulbs to prevent them blowing it just doesnt make any sense.... At least to me

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  12. #12 Duke nukem', May 2, 2016
    Electrical store is more likely to stock stuff like this Straight Glazed Ceramic Heat Lamp Light Bulb Holder Socket ES E27 Porcelain
    These are what they use to make these [​IMG] a very good example of a diy cfl shade found on the 420 network site .

    As for the fan running across the bulb no you should be fine , I think you'll find you was over loading the bulb holder which would be a huge fire hazard

    Let us know how you get on

    If life gives you lemons
    You make lemonade
     
  13. #13 jocasmoka, May 2, 2016
    Thanks again bro i hope so my self that the plastic holders where the fault i replaced like 6 bulb s already and idk if they will replace it again i will find out monday/ tuesday since is holiday here...non working days... Anyways one more big question ... Its like this i have a powe strip(extension cord) in my wall plug to that i have conected my 800 watt pc /tv/phone charger and another power strip(extensiom cord) leading to my grow cabinet on what im planning to plug all the lights/fans ... Do you think this is dangerous and not safe? Btw they have power surge... Thanks again bro you 've been very helpful

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  14. #14 jocasmoka, May 2, 2016
    And if its regular socket 40 watt why did my 40 watt bulbs poped then? Im so confused

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  15. #15 STilladelph, May 2, 2016
    Question: do you have the bulbs wired in series or parallel? If they're in series you're looking at 2x the resistance, meaning 2x more current is meeded to achieve the same voltage. Excess power (wattage) is expelled in heat.

    Try wiring them in parallel see if it still happens

    3 strain 1000w 4x4 legal grow

    My first legal Oregonian grow 1000w 4x4 scrog
     
  16. #16 jocasmoka, May 2, 2016
    Dont mean to be rude but if u read my thread youll see that i havent wired them yet i only used them on lamps regurlar house socket and the cable one with holder/socket and im very noob in basic electricity or just scared... So i will need help with wiring .. I watched ton of youtube videos i think i can do it ... With some help i just need to get the materials needed ... Anyways thx for the reply

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  17. #17 Duke nukem', May 2, 2016
    I wouldn't advise running your room off that .I have a dedicated fuse on my fuse box for my room to prevent any overloading that could be caused. My room don't really need it as it's only a 600w light etc but I know that my room won't overload the fuses and if the wife's straighteners trip the sockets my room will be unaffected (don't want any light changes in flower )
    In your case I would definitely dedicate at least one wall socket to your room . And just run a power strip straight to your room . One length of wire is better than multiple power strips joined up but if need be you'll be okay to do so

    As for the 40w bulbs I don't know perhaps faulty bulb / lamp holder or your lamp holder is of an even lower rating , I have seen them rated as low as 15w.

    And not a problem that's what the members of grass city are here for , to help each other grow the herb

    If life gives you lemons
    You make lemonade
     
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  18. #18 jocasmoka, May 2, 2016
    Ok thanks again i will get another longer power strip then. i wanted to use just the one because i didnt wanted to be a single cabel going in the middle of the room to the closet it would be suspicios ... But looks like i have to suck it up lol

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  19. #19 Duke nukem', May 2, 2016
    You could run your cable behind your skirting boards so no one will see it .
    Any chance of a pic of your grow room when your ready ?

    If life gives you lemons
    You make lemonade
     
  20. #20 jocasmoka, May 2, 2016
    you bro i can send you a pic of my cabinet and i can explain a bit ...first of all my house is very old... second i sleep with my brother in the same room... i know :S and thirdly my room is very small and crowded/packed... btw im still in process of making the cabinet like i said shops dont work today i will finish it tomorrow... i have most of the supplies bought ... i just need to paint the cabinet white or put foil or something... i also bought a car reflection thing... to use for my dyi cfl fixture btw the picture i will send you is just for now its not the permanent setup... pls dont judge lol :D
     
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