My new light is too big!

[Hippiechik]

For the moment, I have boxed it back up until I decide what to do. My current grow is doing well with the existing lighting arrangement, and this new light isn’t critical at the moment.

I know several machinists, and might actually have one of them make me an entirely new pair of mounting rails- but custom sized to fit my closet. That way, I’m not doing any damage to the actual unit itself. There’s a CNC machine shop practically next door.

Buying a tent is nice, but I don’t have the space for it at the current time.

 

[farmingfisherman]

For the moment, I have boxed it back up until I decide what to do. My current grow is doing well with the existing lighting arrangement, and this new light isn’t critical at the moment.

I know several machinists, and might actually have one of them make me an entirely new pair of mounting rails- but custom sized to fit my closet. That way, I’m not doing any damage to the actual unit itself. There’s a CNC machine shop practically next door.

Buying a tent is nice, but I don’t have the space for it at the current time.

I'd sell it and put the money towards something else. The moment it's altered you have voided the warranty,.

 

[Treesomewanted77]

It was free. Just alter it it’s not a space ship it’s a light pretty easy to make it what you want as long as you don’t damage any wiring or diodes your fine and then you have a custom one of a kind light lol. There is nothing hard about cutting the rails down and making new holes to move the bars especially if you have access to a fab shop this should be a walk in the park.

 

[Hippiechik]

It was free. Just alter it it’s not a space ship it’s a light pretty easy to make it what you want as long as you don’t damage any wiring or diodes your fine and then you have a custom one of a kind light lol. There is nothing hard about cutting the rails down and making new holes to move the bars especially if you have access to a fab shop this should be a walk in the park.

Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. I am considering just getting one of the local cnc machine shops to fabricate a couple of 20” mounting rails, with appropriately spaced holes to screw in the light bar clips. If I can find whatever connectors the OEM used, it should be extremely easy to finish. This way, absolutely nothing on the original unit is damaged, and there should be no reason to void the warranty.

For the time being, my plants are doing fine with a 400w MH and 100w LEDs on either side.

 

[MidnightSun72]

Cool idea to make new rails and use those. But that would force you to have to recreate all the internal wiring in the bars.
I think you had the right idea with cutting the ends off. A machine shop could do the whole job in under an hour for sure (at least I know I could). Little bead of silicone around the end caps and slide them back in. Spider farmer themselves would have a tough time spotting the mod if done right.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

If you're going to cut some off the rails, I'd do an even amount on all 4 ends, instead of just 2 ends of one side.

 

[Hippiechik]

If you're going to cut some off the rails, I'd do an even amount on all 4 ends, instead of just 2 ends of one side.

Oh I wasn’t very clear- I wanted to knock about an inch off both ends of both mounting rails- or all 4 ends. We’re on the same page.

 

[Treesomewanted77]

Oh I wasn’t very clear- I wanted to knock about an inch off both ends of both mounting rails- or all 4 ends. We’re on the same page.

That’s how I would do it take 1 inch off all 4 corners and move the rails in a little. I really wouldn’t worry about warranty on these lights it’s not like they cost an arm and a leg.

 

[ilovetoskiatalta]

How about making the ballast remote?

 

[Hippiechik]

How about making the ballast remote?

The ballast actually can be fully remote. However, the ballast is not the problem. It’s the frame- it’s just too big. There’s no getting around that.

 

[Corso312]

Wood won't ignite till about 500 degrees, that's nuts to cut up a new light .. I'd take the door jamb off before I mangled the light.

 

[Johiem]

I had a similar problem with the first light I won. Luckily I'm not closet bound and just talked the wife into a 4x4 (and then a 5x5) to fit the new lights

 

[ilovetoskiatalta]

The ballast actually can be fully remote. However, the ballast is not the problem. It’s the frame- it’s just too big. There’s no getting around that.

if you take the ballast off the strips will stay cooler. Also what about removing the trim inside the door?

 

[Hollatchaboy]

Could you just hang the light in question, on the right? Would it fit inside the door frame?

 

[ilovetoskiatalta]

Could you just hang the light in question, on the right? Would it fit inside the door frame?

I was wondering that as well? lol

 

[Hippiechik]

For the time being, I have boxed the light back up and put it away. Perhaps later on I will find a way to put it to use. In the meantime, I am growing without it and my plants seem quite happy.