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Post by prmills on Feb 2, 2009 7:06:45 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips guys. The tube I was talking about are those one bulb all-in-one 24" fixtures that you throw out after the bulb dies. Don't know if that makes sense, maybe I'll buy one and tear it apart and see Rug - I can wait for my neps for sure, they'll get the cream of the crop Good work on the greenhouse! Did you have to haggle them or what??
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Post by Rug on Feb 2, 2009 17:33:53 GMT -5
Believe it or not I didn't Check your local Can tire and see if they have any! If anyone is looking for a small 4 tier mini greenhouse for $30 let me know as I will have 2 extra.
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Post by prmills on Feb 4, 2009 0:07:03 GMT -5
Ok, after pricing all those CFLs and sockets up, I decided I'd spend $15 and see if I could re-place the bulbs in the all in one 24" T12 tubes they sell. IT WORKED!! Talk about stoaked. Here's what I did and what I'm talking about. This is the light I've been talking about The ends have two tabs on them, one is heat sealed so I broke it off The end with the plug looks like this once the cap is taken off The tube is actually glued to the back, so I had to seperate them Then I took the other end cap off Then replaced the tube with a 24" sunstick Then I plugged her in and I've done nothing to permanetly re-connect the ends to the tube figuring it'll end up being changed anyways. ;D I'm happy!!
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Post by prmills on Feb 4, 2009 0:10:00 GMT -5
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Post by lloyd on Feb 4, 2009 9:38:50 GMT -5
It's always good to take something throw-away and re-use it. One less piece of garbage!
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Post by vraev on Feb 4, 2009 11:38:31 GMT -5
great job! I use those stock lights and they are sufficient for neps (atleast 2 needed for a shelf....3 is better). Good job with replacing the bulbs. I wanted to do something like that...but didn't want to experiment and waste 20$ if it doesnt work out.
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Post by dvg on Feb 4, 2009 12:54:09 GMT -5
Very impressive, prmills. I didn't think there was anything that could be done to salvage these fixtures. Interesting, that these don't have ballasts...looks like they might use capacitors to boost the voltage high enough to arc through the tube.
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Post by prmills on Feb 4, 2009 18:45:23 GMT -5
Thanks! I have no know-how with electronics. I can fiddle with stuff but that's about it, kind of a shot in the dark. Would the capacitor be the little light bulb looking thing on the fend with the plug?
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Post by tael on Feb 4, 2009 18:50:00 GMT -5
Wow, nice prmills! I might have to try this... If I can figure it out.
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Post by vraev on Feb 4, 2009 21:26:16 GMT -5
actually that little bulb thing looks like a fuse.
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Post by prmills on Feb 4, 2009 23:06:13 GMT -5
Since I've put this in I've been testing the temps. Very warm, almost 30C while the 4 teir one is about 20C with an aquarium heater in it. That's just with 2. Might have to find a way to cool it down if I put more of those in.
An other thought for those that know electricity, would wiring 4 24" tube together work under a double 4 footer ballast?? If so, how would you do the wiring for each end cap/prong holder thing?
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Post by markym4rk on Feb 12, 2009 7:36:44 GMT -5
Gratz Peter!
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Post by prmills on Mar 27, 2009 18:35:48 GMT -5
Alright, so I'm now finished except for tweeking now and then. I bought a ballast, end cap tube holder things (technical me eh?) some spruce wood, some wire and viola! Had to order the bulbs from the USA cause I couldn't find any local that would work for less than $15 a bulb A look at the outside A closer look at the end caps/wiring With the tubes in With them on I copied the wiring from one of my other units and was happy when I didn't hear a fizzle or a fire didn't break out All in all, it works and is ready for my neps coming up
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Post by hal on Mar 27, 2009 18:45:46 GMT -5
Nice work. Good luck with the new Neps!
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Post by prmills on Mar 27, 2009 18:54:45 GMT -5
As a side note, I also build a shelf for outside seedlings, here's what it looks like
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