Ventilation question

Discussion in 'Grow Room Design/Setup' started by pk_saCred, Nov 28, 2006.

  1. hi all, after a long time I want to start my second grow this time im going to grow in my closet using a 250w hps (pic1 security light) my question is a 10cm fan (pic2 it says 100m3/h on the box) powerfull enough to cool the security light? im going to make holes at each end of the security light and exaust air through the light using 10cm PVC and the fan I mentioned above. the air intake is from my room with temp. about 19-20c and im gonna exaust out the window
    also my grow area is 0.5m x 0.9m x 1m
    thx guys in advance (excuse my crappy english) :wave:
     

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  2. You would need to cut 10cm holes at each end of the security light for it to work efficiently. Just thought I'd mention that!

    Or it might be better to remove the reflector and lamp from the unit and convert it to a remote ballast. How's your hardware skills?

    If you used the fan purely as an exhaust, and had an oscillating fan blowing air between the lamp and the plants, that might work better.

    The fan may be big enough to do the job; your grow space isn't too big. If the environment isn't too warm where you live, it could work well enough. It's definitely worth trying, anyway.

    -mu

    ps. have you considered odour control?
     
  3. unfortunately I cant remove the ballast from the reflector its all in one piece and odor isnt really a problem Im rather worried about fire risk cause the upper part of the closet is still used as a closet. will the ballast also get hot ? btw im going for scrog method so I think the space is just enough for 1-2 plants. is there anyway to calculate how much cfm I'll need?
     
  4. Yes you can! It may just require some tools, that's all. If a thing can be made, it can be unmade!

    Also, this would help with your heat situation. The ballast will produce quite a bit of heat; if you convert the light to a remote ballast, you can put the ballast somewhere else.

    CFM calculator...

    http://ukcultivator.biz/grtools/fancalc.html

    -mu
     
  5. thx a bunch mu for that cfm calculator and can you show me how to convert my light to a remote ballast ?
     
  6. To convert the light, you need to wrench it open and find the cable that connects the ballast part (the humming electrics) to the lamp holder (ceramic E40 thing where the bulb screws in).

    Then, make that cable longer!

    That's it.

    You'll likely want attach the reflector and lamp holder to something sturdy, maybe a plank of wood. The ballast part can be left inside the old unit, or if you feel kinky, you can remove the electrics and put them in a new case. I used an old Apple Mac.

    Then wire up a sturdy long cable to go between them, replacing the old (short) internal cable. If you have them, you can add male and female kettle plugs (like from a PC Power pack) and make it look "professional", but that's optional. Good old fashioned terminal connectors, or soldered connections work fine.

    -mu
     

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