CFL temps (small CFL vs large CFL)

Desmond

Desmond

Active Member
just curious. i have 5 26 watt daylight CFL going. the temps are completely out of control. 95F. i have a fan blowing on them. theres no way of getting fresh air into them besides opening the door. which i can't have all the time. i have a 400W mh/hps light and cant use it because of the space and heat issue. so i went to CFL, which i have used before in different environment with no problems. i had 8 26w going for 3 plants. temp was 105. went down to 6 CFL. 97F. went down to 5 CFL. 95F. they seem to be doing well. no visible problems noted. just have to water everyday.
when they get bigger, i went to increase the wattage. the temps are holding me back. would the temps get better if i had bigger CFL. like 4 42watters vs 6 26 watters. just curious. i know everyone is going to say, get more fresh air in. not possible. just want to hear if anyone had experience with smaller cfl and large cfl temps. thanks. the desmond.
 
S

skervy

Active Member
Desmond said:
i know everyone is going to say, get more fresh air in. not possible
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the problem is thats the problem :/ not much your gonna be able to do with no intakes and exhaust. i havent used 42w bulbs yet cause their to pricey around here but i highly doubt there with be much if any difference between 4 42w and 6 26w though

quick edit you could switch the them t5 or whatever ive read they put off less heat
 
MtHEMoNSTAR

MtHEMoNSTAR

Member
Desmond, I understand your question.
I grow with CFL's only.
I have these few HUGE 68w bulbs that put out like 50% less heat than these smaller 26-28watters that I use.

If you want the link or info on those bulbs I will be glad to hook you up with that. Get at me.
 
Desmond

Desmond

Active Member
MtHEMoNSTAR said:
Desmond, I understand your question.
I grow with CFL's only.
I have these few HUGE 68w bulbs that put out like 50% less heat than these smaller 26-28watters that I use.

If you want the link or info on those bulbs I will be glad to hook you up with that. Get at me.
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could you post a link? thanks. i hate buying more bulbs, but if it helps, i will.
 
d r0cK

d r0cK

Well-Known Member
if you do have an exhaust and can move it, put it on top of your lights and when you goto home depot get a piece of glass or maybe even plexiglass and create a barrier between the canopy and the lights. you can seal it and just move your plants up and down as needed. if you have an intake then just make a passive exhaust in your canopy section and you should be ok. im not sure where your grow space is but i run 13 23w bulbs with 2 fans intake and exhaust and keep my temps between 70-84.
 
formula42

formula42

Well-Known Member
I got a 4 bulb 2 ft T5 fixture for $100. I actually have 2 26w cfls in the closet just to add heat. T5s are very cool but can't be placed as close to the plants. weird huh
 
maturesmoker

maturesmoker

Active Member
As said above, a fitted glass heat shield will work wonders for you. If you can fit an exhaust fan to suck out the hot air even better as it will build up, but a glass screen fitted as said by dRock will drop those temps right down. I run 375 watts of CFL's in my tight cabinet and temps hold at 75 max.

Hope this helps you.
 
I

Illegal Smile

Guest
I think it is physically impossible to lower temps in a closed environment when you have a heat source in there. Larger cfls do not produce less heat per watt, that doesn't make sense. You just will not get a good grow until you can move hot air out and cooler air in. I hate to see anyone knock themselves out trying.
 
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