Lil cfl powerhouse for lil cash

[BigIrishDoode]

i built this in 5 min with home depot items
power strip 3$
4 socket plug adapters approx 4$
4 socket splitters approx 5$
4pk 2700k 23 watt bulbs 5$
4pk 5600k 23watt bulbs 5$
made a hanger with zip ties also anchored the adapters to the strip with zip ties this" light bar" as i call it, works well and givin its very small size you can build several to fit in a small grow closet or tent and it really puts out the light ,grew 6 clones(flowering clones) straight to 12/12 (after reveg of 1 week) after roots showed .,,and filled 4 quart jars(no scale) with tight dank frosty nugs after 8 weeks flower time, for 20-25 bucks id say i got a winner here ,,what do you guys think?

 

[EgaPega]

i think you can put under them 2 plants as minimum and will get nice harvest

 

[dadums]

A couple of aluminum pans from the dollar store would make a great reflector and keep with the minimal $ to harvest theme.

 

[datrippp]

I used pvc and cfls for mine, I made one like this first but my powerstrip melted. lol.. It was a super cheapy though from the dollar store.
Heres the new one I built, I am going to add 4 more lights to it after this current run. I mainly just use this for my mums, to start, and some vegging duties. lol.. works awesome though. I used a piece of 8" ducting for the hood, then painted the inside white for reflection using high temp paint.

 

[GreenDollars]

Check out my beast!

 

[BigIrishDoode]

those are awesome designs guys, sure beats the crap outta my lil 5 minute build time rig!! you can see min in action in my journal i think it works well

 

[CannaVince]

Gentlemen...gentlemen...well done ... I absolutely love your DIY lamps systems for cfl's.....simply amazing and very inspiring.....maybe a better how to thread on the build's..for all of us to make one....WORD....

 

[nugslinger420]

I have a quick question if you don't mind, I'm in the process of making a better CFL out of dryer vent and a twin socket thing. My problem is that I have never wired a light in my entire life. The socket I have has a black wire and a white wire(no instructions at all on the box) and an 8 ft lamp cord that tells me which wire is neutral. How do I match them up so it works properly? Obviously there's only 2 ways to do it but Idk what could happen if I get it wrong :/

 

[BigIrishDoode]

white would be your "hot" wire, black negative if you hooked em up backwards most likely your light would work just fine, a simple socket is not to picky, the way i built my light needs no wiring its all just plug n play if you will!!;hope this helps

 

[nugslinger420]

Yes thank you very much! I got it wired and a light working in it. I will update you when I drill the holes and get it finished probably tonight but I'm not sure how long the battery is gonna take to charge from a complete drain says 3 - 6 hrs.

 

[nugslinger420]

2 42w 2700k CFL
Twin cluster fixture socket
2' dryer vent
Power drill
Needle nose plyers(to bend and keep vent in place)

 

[Markers]

I used this for a couple of grows. It was a bathroom vanity light a friend was throwing away. I cut it in half and used some wood and screws to hold it together. it worked pretty good. I like the compactness of yours irishdude. I replaced mine with a 400 watt MH/HPS. The buds got bigger And they veg faster but that MH really puts out the heat.

 

[ilikebike]

white would be your "hot" wire, black negative if you hooked em up backwards most likely your light would work just fine, a simple socket is not to picky, the way i built my light needs no wiring its all just plug n play if you will!!;hope this helps

pretty sure white is neutral and should never be hot.

 

[BigIrishDoode]

pretty sure white is neutral and should never be hot.

this would be why i built mine the way i did! i stand corrected good catch ilikebike

 

[ilikebike]

lol agreed your light seems more user friendly, although a hardwired fixture will be more solid, the one you have put together gets the job done!

 

[nugslinger420]

Well whatever I did turned the light on lol. That's all that really matters(and that I didn't burn my house down)

 

[BigIrishDoode]

lol agreed your light seems more user friendly, although a hardwired fixture will be more solid, the one you have put together gets the job done!

well i actually wired in a sub box for my moms garage, its working good several years later,i did follow a diagram and i have slept since then lol, my lil diy light has gone thru 2 grows so far no problems, so im happy with that 20 something bucks i spent!!

 

[ilikebike]

yo i have the same set up as you but instead of the "Y" sockets i just taped 2 of the 6 outlet power strips back to back, then i bought the single outlet to light socket plugs, and plugged in 4 cfl's on each outlet strip, got me through my whole vegetative stage!

 

[GodSpeed]

We dont get the y sockets here in uk sucks! Nice work guys

 

[TorturedSoul]

We dont get the y sockets here in uk sucks! Nice work guys

Ahh, they're overrated, IMO. Two horizontally-opposed sockets produce a better output pattern - and are simpler to create a reflector for - than a pair in Y configuration, anyway.

Use what you have available.