Homemade CFL chandelier

[sLiCe]

This just just somthing I built for my 1st grow, using the following materials (found at any local hardware store):


I aranged them to make two contraptions like this:


To finally make one of these:



They are plugged into a 3-plug splitter, and I secured them with rubber bands to prevent them from falling out.


Seems to work very well - and easily allows me to get 4 CFLs to cover a very small area. Questions/Comments?

 

[Torco]

looks pretty cool to me. but i have never used CFL. What watt are they??

 

[sLiCe]

Well the one I built, each CFL is 75watts and there are 4 on my fixture

 

[Bagzgroove]

I'd only worry about those rubberbands. . . I would imagine they will deteriorate pretty quickly with the heat the base of those lights can produce. . . I know its not really hot, but it can dry that rubber pretty quickly I think, maybe better with some electrical tape. . good idea I think, I am constantly rethinking my CFL situation. . .

 

[blowin.endo]

hey that's cool, slice... bagz and S4L already said what i was gonna say about the rubberbands. i use the same Y for my cab, but it's there pretty securely so i dont need to tie them with anything

 

[CharlieMopps]

I really like the idea. Even more than using a power strip and single bulbs.

 

[sLiCe]

Thanks for the input guys!

I replaced the rubber bands with a large zip tie, and made sure it did not cut through the middle of the prongs on the plug. Glad you guys like the idea; So far I've found that its a great solution to providing alot of light to a small space (in my case 1 single plant)

 

[Brett2theMax]

I can't wait to start my CFL. I have it all sketched out already. Have you considered getting the 150w CFLs? More light the merrier I always say.

 

[sLiCe]

Definately considering some higher wattage - i'll have to see what I can find

 

[blowin.endo]

cool man... hope it's a girl

 

[CharlieMopps]

You need a reflector on that. Find a big freakin metal mixing bowl and drill a hole in the bottom. Should work.

 

[spyketoy]

Thats good bro , Now increase its output 2 the plant by wrapping the inside of the bucket with foil, mylar or white poly and if you really want to spend 5 minutes make a reflector for the top of the light with a couple hangers and some more of the reflective coating of your choice... very clever though... I like your style.

 

[gren]

if u "t" cross them it will cover more space.

 

[RudyS2490]

Like the lights man..Made one today..but i used bulbs that were 26 watts....how did you fit 75s on it?????

 

[stratlogic]

Here's one I made myself. Pretty much the same as the ones you guys made. A slight variation I thought was worth posting.

Here's all the parts I used.

Here it is assembled.

You could easily put six bulbs on a standard power strip. I personally am not using this setup because I have some HIDs and will only be using CFLs for the first two weeks of vegging, but thought some CFL users might like it. I recommend using zip ties to secure the fixtures to the power strip.

 

[CharlieMopps]

I like the idea very much. I may use some for supplimental lighting.

 

[CharlieMopps]

Here's one I made myself. Pretty much the same as the ones you guys made. A slight variation I thought was worth posting.


Here it is assembled.

You could easily put six bulbs on a standard power strip. I personally am not using this setup because I have some HIDs and will only be using CFLs for the first two weeks of vegging, but thought some CFL users might like it. I recommend using zip ties to secure the fixtures to the power strip.

That's exactly what i picked up from walmart yesterday, 4 100watt equivilent cfl's. I'm germinating seeds as i type. I am gonna go up and pick up 2 more lights tomorrow for that 6 total.The box i'm using is a 2 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft one. I wanna see if i can get my plant to grow as squat as Silentsmoke's.

Edit: Actually, i think ima do the middle y setup with 2 75watt hps bulbs from home depot. They screw into regular light fixtures. I think it'll create a good mix of spectrums and i'll make sure the box very well ventilated cause there are gonna be a lot of lights in a small space.

 

[Urdedpal]

The concept does seem to be a good ideal for smaller spaces but you really should install a hood or reflector to get the most out of it. Fouros has the worst light penetrion abilities but they do run cooler than the HIDs, alot cooler.

You might want to use our gallery next time you post pics, all pics not from our gallery are eventually removed making this thread alot less useful for others to see.

 

[Smokin Moose]

Can you please resize your images and load again through the gallery. Thanks mate.

 

[zolar]

i bet the old style ceiling light that has two sockets parrallel to the ceiling and oppposite each other would give better light pattern but yours is quicjker and EASY will try this in a fridge type mother
cab [ its small] next time i set up a run in the garden.... i like the zip ties idea i use several groups of them on the walls in my big cab as routing paths for wires but leave some loose enough to
change wires