Homemade Light Mover

[WidowShamus]

Guys, I have always "daydreamed" on how I can make my grow space more efficient (meaning grow bigger buds). I hace a 3 x 4 x 8 foot growing area and am using a 400 watt mh then hps bulb. Since the ceiling is 8 ft high I have the 35 pound light hanging by two chains which I can raise and lower as needed. I actually went to a hobby shop a bought small 30 rpm electric motor which I attached to a round piece of wood. Similar to a train wheel and attached a rod to the outside area of the circle and the chains on the other end of the rod. When I turn it on it swings the light like a clock pendulum and does the exact same thing as a light mover. When the plant grows all bud sites are large as compared to the usual top bud being larger. In a scrog grow if you bend the fencing slightly to match the angle of your "swing" you wont be dissapointed. Shamus

 

[T.H.Cammo]

So, what are you saying? Your light is a pendulum that swings every two seconds? Kool! How about some pictures? How long have you been using it? Had any results yet? How big of an arc does the light actually make?

It seems that the "Moving Light" would creat it's own air movement and, along with, the thermal raise of the air, you should have excellent, passive, ventilation - given adequate ports.

I've been looking for any, and all, info on "Cycles Per Minute", as it applies to "DIY Light Mover Projects". So I find this quite interesting!

 

[sixstring2112]

give us some pics!sounds cool

 

[sickstoner]

Pics!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[WidowShamus]

Ill get some pics up soon. As for the size of the arc it depends on how big the circle of wood or whatever you use is. My room is 4 foot wide so I'd say every second 1/2 it passes by. Yes I have used it with good results compared to grows when I didn't.

 

[allovher]

maybe a reinforced ceiling fan with the lamp attached, get a digi timer with 100s of settings, have the fan go on 1 minute every 30 mins or so x D

cept the cord will bind up... this is good weed

 

[WidowShamus]

Ok, my camera is mia for now so I drew a crude picture of what I have going on in there. Its not complicated and pretty self explanitory. Hope this helps all that are interested and maybe who knows someone will sell professional kits some day at your local garden center and it all started here, lol Shamus

 

[IAm5toned]

i like it. simple. i bet it would work even better with rods and hinges than a chain
reminds me of a drive wheel from a steam locomotive...
u mentioned hobbystore, does someone have an interest in model trains?
lol i used to... its an expensive hobby tho

 

[WidowShamus]

You know the more I think about it the more im thinking that why is it the light that has to move? I can easily move or "spin" the plants themselves. Something like a turntable. Same low RPM motor. I havent built it yet but its a pretty simple design and very effective.

 

[That 5hit]

i feel safer with this idea over a swinging light

sooner or later that light will work itself out of the ceiling
its to heavy to be swinging back and forth like that
hope your home when it falls

 

[That 5hit]

how much did the moter cost

maybe a fan that move back and forth

 

[WidowShamus]

i feel safer with this idea over a swinging light

sooner or later that light will work itself out of the ceiling
its to heavy to be swinging back and forth like that
hope your home when it falls

Its hung from the ceiling on a swinging joint. The rated strength of the setup is 275lbs. The light is a mere 30lbs. As a carpenter Im sure it will be fine. Thank you for the concern and yes if it does I hope im there, lol.........Shamus

 

[Endur0xX]

I m bringing this old thread back!! as anyone ever tried Shamus idea? well I like the idea of a clock pendulum motion to move the light... anyway I just order a 10RPM Output Speed 12V Rated Voltage DC Gear Motor 37mm on ebay for 20$ and a DC 12volt adapter for 3$ , shipping included, and I have no idea what I am getting into but hopefully this little electric motor will be powerful enough to move 1 or the 2 400W over my screen, I ll keep you posted!

 

[Endur0xX]

for double the price, maybe I should have gone for this one Crouzet Reversible High Torque Gearhead Motor http://www.meci.com/featuring/crouzet-reversible-high-torque-gearhead-motor.html ...I would have been more confident that it will be powerful enough!!

 

[WidowShamus]

I m bringing this old thread back!! as anyone ever tried Shamus idea? well I like the idea of a clock pendulum motion to move the light... anyway I just order a 10RPM Output Speed 12V Rated Voltage DC Gear Motor 37mm on ebay for 20$ and a DC 12volt adapter for 3$ , shipping included, and I have no idea what I am getting into but hopefully this little electric motor will be powerful enough to move 1 or the 2 400W over my screen, I ll keep you posted!

I know it has been a while but how did this work for you vs the times when it wasn't used? Did you get a more even flower production or many more even but smaller buds?

 

[ilikecheetoes]

you cant trick physics. You just get more uniform bud sizes.the same amount of light is shining down you are just dispersing it differently. more lights = more buds. Im pretty sure thats what newton would have said had he not taken damage from that apple.

 

[IndicaDom]

you cant trick physics. You just get more uniform bud sizes.the same amount of light is shining down you are just dispersing it differently. more lights = more buds. Im pretty sure thats what newton would have said had he not taken damage from that apple.

No, this is just so far off base...the shadows created by light cast in one direction is what a light mover solves. Changing the angle of the light allows you to change from where you are casting shadows, hence the entirety of the plant will be allowed exposure to high levels of light, as opposed to one portion of the plant receiving all the light. Did you honestly believe that the top 30% of a plant receiving light is able to utilize it 100%? No, which is why allowing the entire plant to receive light is beneficial and why light movers are a more effective way of using your lights as opposed to just adding more light.