DIY DYI - CFL/LED Light Rig

[RabbitFighter]

When the LED bug bites ya just gotta scratch it.

Last week I purchased a Haight Solid State PPF-400Rv2 LED Grow light. What sold me was the solid-state design, low heat output, energy savings and the idea that I could incorporate this light into my current light rig. I've accomplished lowering the heat output and hopefully increased the useable light for both vegging & flowering.


Current Rig without (6) CFL lamps or LED


Back of the PPF-400Rv2 LED Grow light


The PPF-400Rv2 installed in the light rig


The back of the rig showing attachment points


Back in the tent without CFL's


CFL's installed


It's Business Time

20 Years of schoolin' and they put ya on the day shift. ~ Bob Dylan

Regards - RF

 

[Red eyed c]

When the LED bug bites ya just gotta scratch it.

Last week I purchased a Haight Solid State PPF-400Rv2 LED Grow light. What sold me was the solid-state design, low heat output, energy savings and the idea that I could incorporate this light into my current light rig. I've accomplished lowering the heat output and hopefully increased the useable light for both vegging & flowering.

View attachment 56835
Current Rig without (6) CFL lamps or LED

View attachment 56836
Back of the PPF-400Rv2 LED Grow light

View attachment 56837
The PPF-400Rv2 installed in the light rig

View attachment 56838
The back of the rig showing attachment points

View attachment 56839
Back in the tent without CFL's

View attachment 56840
CFL's installed

View attachment 56841
It's Business Time

20 Years of schoolin' and they put ya on the day shift. ~ Bob Dylan

Regards - RF

That's a really cool set up you have put together there mate,great idea and lots of light for your girls

 

[RabbitFighter]

This all came about because I was struggling with adequate lighting and heat, on warm days to keep heat down I would unscrew lamps, hopefully that is a thing of the past.

For the next grow, going to test combining (6) 13w - 65K CFL's in conjunction with the low setting for vegging then switch to (6) 42W - 27K CFL's with the high LED selection for flowering.

This whole operation may produce so little heat that that I can use a thermostat to control the ventilation as opposed to having it run constantly with the lights.

I'll post my results for critique - RF

 

[Northern Grower]

The part I like most about it is, it doesn't look like it'll burn the place down

Cheers, tight little rig! :thumbs:

 

[RabbitFighter]

The part I like most about it is, it doesn't look like it'll burn the place down

Cheers, tight little rig! :thumbs:

Thanks... In a previous life I was an electrician.

 

[dykster]

I love it!

 

[RabbitFighter]

24 hour update on tent tempertures... Current setup is (4) 23w-27K -&- (2) 23w-65k CLF Lamps combined with the LED fixture on high. Temps have not exceeded 77F.

It appears that the high temperature problem of growing in a 2'X2' space has been solved... Now the question becomes can the light rig support superior bud growth?

I'll keep you posted - RF

 

[KindredSpirit]

+rep RF, that's a badass rig you made there!!! The PVC light sockets are effing brilliant!!! Clean, safe build :thumbs: :clap:

 

[RabbitFighter]

DAY 49 - Stop The Presses!

There has been a setback and this light rig design may not be optimal...

The picture below shows the initial light placement which appears to have placed the LED too close to the top of the plant.



After about 2 days I began to see what appears to be burnt leaves, the burn was not caused by heat, but by the LED light, it is just too powerful to be placed so close to the plant, fortunately it just effected a few leaves within about 3" of the top... Of course I raised the LED which now is about 12" from the top of the plant which in turn makes the CFL's less effective.


Sunburned leaves

My newest idea... (someone please stop me) involves lowering the CFL's back to a point where they are once more effective. Could it be possible that I really don't need CFL's? I just don't know.




Anyway... Not sure this is going to work and I am thinking of bagging the CFL's altogether and maybe try testing (4) 2' T-5 HO fixtures (one vertically in each corner) along with the LED... Wish me luck.

The objective of all dedicated cannabis growers should be to thoroughly analyze all situations, anticipate all problems prior to their occurrence, have answers for these problems, and move swiftly to solve these problems when called upon. However, when you are up to your ass in alligators, it is difficult to remind yourself that your initial objective was to drain the swamp. - RF

All comments welcome

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01-24-2012 Edit

Not sure if the light was the issue or... the plant was suffering from too much nutes. Right after I posted this I decided to flush just to make sure. After 10 days there was no more burnt leaves so I am thinking it was too much of a good thing. I making this post just to show others how difficult it is to know what to do when you are just starting out. - RF

 

[RabbitFighter]

DAY 57

Made a few minor modifications to the light rig which enable the light to reach down to the lower buds, now able to tailor the light where it can be best utilized by the plant.


Parts to extend the light - Medium-Base-to-Plug, Wired Light Socket, 2-Prong Cap



Assembled Light Extender



Lights in Action

I have also ordered (2) 26W Repti Glo 10.0 Compact Fluorescent - Exo-Terra lamps. These lamps will provide an additional light source of UVB light.

Let me know what you think - RF