Title asks it all. As you can see in the picture, I've got: (5)-13 watt(60 equivalent) 800 lumen 6500k (2)-26 watt(100 equivalent) 1750 lumen 2700k (1)-20 watt(75 equivalent) 1300 lumen 5000k All somehow connected to 7 y-splitters, then to a single lamp cord. The wattage adds to 137 Watts altogether pushing on that single lamp cord. Let me know what you think please. I'm not trying to burn down my apartment. Thanks!
human instinct and gut feelings are ussually something not to ignore, especially when ur rigging up something electrical you feel unsure about lol, and you must have had some kinda of doubts if made this post the name caught my eye for sure tho lmao. You could be safe for all I know I havent done much with cfls, but yea the t5 panel idea is a good ones, or a small hps
I rigged up a similar arrangement, without the last splitters, making each grouping 4 bulbs (100W equiv). I've had 4 of these(approx 400W ACTUAL) in a 2'x4' tent for nearly 3 yrs now with now trouble other than bad bulbs. Those splitters are pretty flimsy, but mine say they can each handle 600W. As they are apt to be ruined by merely screwing the bulbs in and out, keep replacements on hand. I've found the setup very convenient for adjusting lighting intensity for varying needs, need less light-unscrew a bulb or 2. I did have an issue with a cheap timer for my hps, though, that DID result in some burned plastic... Just keep an eye on the specs for the parts you use, all the electrical items should have a load rating on them. Always do your math.
It looks like it wouldnt be that effective....8 bulbs running off of one socket? it might diminish the quality of each bulb
[quote name='"HongKongFuwii"']I rigged up a similar arrangement, without the last splitters, making each grouping 4 bulbs (100W equiv). I've had 4 of these(approx 400W ACTUAL) in a 2'x4' tent for nearly 3 yrs now with now trouble other than bad bulbs. Those splitters are pretty flimsy, but mine say they can each handle 600W. As they are apt to be ruined by merely screwing the bulbs in and out, keep replacements on hand. I've found the setup very convenient for adjusting lighting intensity for varying needs, need less light-unscrew a bulb or 2. I did have an issue with a cheap timer for my hps, though, that DID result in some burned plastic... Just keep an eye on the specs for the parts you use, all the electrical items should have a load rating on them. Always do your math.[/quote] Your's say 600 watts?! Damn! Mine says it can only handle 220! Probably safer then if i arrange it so it holds 4 bulbs each.
Take some of the bulbs out and get more lamps, use the bulbs as side lighting cfl's have pathetic penetrating power and having all that shit on top will produce nice main cola's but the yield will suffer from the lower growth getting no light man
That's going to be splitting a shit ton of electricity! Think about it like this, 12 lights running 120vac each = power surge = sparks, shattering bulbs = flaming mercury = burning down the entire apartment complex. I'd say go get some of that State Farm Home Insurance before plugging it in... Their rates are incredible!
Check the load rating on all your electrical components (especially the lamp cord). Look at the voltage. Double check the load rating. As long as you are doing your homework and making sure that each electrical component can handle the load going through it you should be fine. But since you are posting here asking if this will start a fire then I assume you probably haven't done that lol. A T5 wouldn't be much more expensive than all those CFLs.
Well, thanks for the replies guys. Certainly gave me a chuckle. I guess my light fixture was pretty ghetto. Lol. Luckily, haven't started a fire yet! I am now going to make another contraption using two other lamp cords i have laying around. Probably a lesser risk of starting a fire. Again, thanks for the replies.
This is how it now looks.. Instead of 8 bulbs for a single cord, i split them up. So 4 bulbs on one cord, and another 4 bulbs on another cord. Still ghetto-rigged, but only until i figure out how i would be able to make this fixture secure. I already have side lighting.
[quote name='"MrTee"']This is why I won't live in an apartment complex.[/quote] Just playing the hand I was dealt..
I would at the least buy a socket for each bulb, mount them to something and wire them up properly.. the current draw shouldn't be a problem really.. but maybe look into higher end CFLs instead? I know I can buy 300w equivalent close to me at a local shop that just does lights.