SmokzAlot
New Member
Here I am am with another low buck version of K.I.S.S. applied to simple but effective CFL lighting.
In my effort to create a portable and movable fixture, I also wanted a functional and easy to maintain or adaptive appliance. So I came up with this multifunctional idea. Wattage is flexible, heat has been no issue, weight is minimal, cost of material low. I had all on hand from my hording of past projects or new. The most significant material I am finding now a days is "Reflectix". I have used it in constructing myGrow Room, myGrowBox, and now creating reflectors. From years as a metals fabricator and builder I knew what I could do with this material and some simple tools. a roll of good quality foil tape and I am off and running.
A single fixture is where it starts. Y's and and such from there as you need. The angle of the dangle is parallel as it can be with the center line of the bulbs as well, as it makes sense to me. I have configured up to 8 CFL bulbs, varying from 26w to 150w with no issues. I see no sense in going beyond 8, it's time for HID at that point in my K.I.S.S. approach. Cost vs heat and so on. I could see multiple fixtures with this approach to achieve more light but you loose on the other end of the issues. But it is an easily sustainable system with minimal failure and or loss when it occurs. What's losing a few CFL's vs a 400w HID and the grow goes dark till fixed. Personal choices..
I also see no reason this project can not be scaled as needed. Weight is not an issue. Do remember the vent holes. It gets quite hot otherwise. As my father preached "heat is the enemy of electricity" It degrades or shortens it's life span. In some delicate circuits it kills. Heat is resistance as well. It steals from itself in that respect if light is what you desire. Incandescent vs Florescent as an example. As Einstein tried to teach us, energy only transforms into something else. It doesn't go away.
Do notice this is not a cone shape, more parabolic in nature.
Deployed over a kitty litter pan to give you an idea of its relative size.
In my effort to create a portable and movable fixture, I also wanted a functional and easy to maintain or adaptive appliance. So I came up with this multifunctional idea. Wattage is flexible, heat has been no issue, weight is minimal, cost of material low. I had all on hand from my hording of past projects or new. The most significant material I am finding now a days is "Reflectix". I have used it in constructing myGrow Room, myGrowBox, and now creating reflectors. From years as a metals fabricator and builder I knew what I could do with this material and some simple tools. a roll of good quality foil tape and I am off and running.
A single fixture is where it starts. Y's and and such from there as you need. The angle of the dangle is parallel as it can be with the center line of the bulbs as well, as it makes sense to me. I have configured up to 8 CFL bulbs, varying from 26w to 150w with no issues. I see no sense in going beyond 8, it's time for HID at that point in my K.I.S.S. approach. Cost vs heat and so on. I could see multiple fixtures with this approach to achieve more light but you loose on the other end of the issues. But it is an easily sustainable system with minimal failure and or loss when it occurs. What's losing a few CFL's vs a 400w HID and the grow goes dark till fixed. Personal choices..
I also see no reason this project can not be scaled as needed. Weight is not an issue. Do remember the vent holes. It gets quite hot otherwise. As my father preached "heat is the enemy of electricity" It degrades or shortens it's life span. In some delicate circuits it kills. Heat is resistance as well. It steals from itself in that respect if light is what you desire. Incandescent vs Florescent as an example. As Einstein tried to teach us, energy only transforms into something else. It doesn't go away.
Do notice this is not a cone shape, more parabolic in nature.
Deployed over a kitty litter pan to give you an idea of its relative size.
