Flash Grow Room Calculator

[gotdank]

OK so Ive been lurking around this forum(and others) for some time now, soaking in all the useful info I can and enjoying it very much. I thought it would be neat to make something that could help others as well as assist me in being as lazy as possible at all times.

so anyway, here it is. sorry for the host, I let my web hosting expire had to use this.

ScreenShot:

Link:

http://megaswf.com/serve/71961/

So this will take your grow area specs and tell you what CFM ventilation you will need, as well as calculate a suggested intake size and tell the min / max lumens suggested for your growing area to help you pick a light if you dont have one already.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated, Ill gladly add useful features and update this to be better if there are good suggestions, perhaps even get some tween animations going on.

I will also be converting this into an Andriod APP, I would do iPhone but they wanna charge me $100 just to publish hobby projects. I can also convert it into an EXE file for desktop use.

 

[Snow Crash]

I don't think it's quite dead on yet, but it is close.

 

[gotdank]

I don't think it's quite dead on yet, but it is close.

Maybe I should share the formula Im using, It is from another forum so I wont link to that post directly, just share the formula.
that should help other people check it and see if I have messed anything up or misinterpreted anything.

LxWxH of room= CuFt. Divided by X minutes for air exchange(5 or lower suggested) = Unloaded CFM required.(we will call this uCFM)

uCFM + (Duct Length in feet x 10%) = Duct Loaded CFM(dLCFM) (example 12'*10%) = 120% , uCFM + 120% = dLCFM)

x=# of 90deg bends

(dLCFM x (1.5^x))= Bend Loaded CFM(bLCFM)

if its filtered then

bLCFMx1.3 = Filter Loaded CFM

then to add for heat from the bulb

For a 250HPS- multiply by .75
For a 400- multiply by 1
For a 600, multiply by 1.3
For a K, multiply by 1.6.

 

[sk'mo]

Suggested Exhaust CFM: 189450.4
Suggested Lumens: Min. 448000 - Max. 640000
Suggested Intake Size: 94725.2 Sq.In.

Hmmm... I'm going to need a bigger fan...

 

[gotdank]

Suggested Exhaust CFM: 189450.4
Suggested Lumens: Min. 448000 - Max. 640000
Suggested Intake Size: 94725.2 Sq.In.

Hmmm... I'm going to need a bigger fan...

haha probably 4-5 1000watters on top of that

The biggest thing that will require you to need more CFM from your fan is the 90 deg. curves, every time you add one you need to increase your output by 50%. Try to keep them to a minimum.

keep in mind when trying to avoid 90deg curves that if you cant do it without adding less than 5ft. of ducting you're working backwards.

 

[Snow Crash]

Blower fans create 90 degree turns without crimping the ducting. If placed in the right spot a blower fan can act as the "elbow" for the ducting.

 

[sk'mo]

lol, lucky me, I picked up a small turbine engine at a yard sale this summer. I think I'll make it!

It's definitely the bends. I'm running 4 600w lamps in cooltubes, with a filter, through flex-duct and semi-rigid duct. Using a 309 CFM in-line and a 250 CFM inductor fan between the filter and lamps. I punched it into the calculator using the most possible bends (15).

 

[gotdank]

Blower fans create 90 degree turns without crimping the ducting. If placed in the right spot a blower fan can act as the "elbow" for the ducting.

yeah, I should probably mention this tool assumes you're using 1 exhaust fan with passive intake, and only 1 light.

 

[gotdank]

Updated a bit, added new images and links if anyone is interested.

 

[ScrogThis]

A couple of questions; where do these "facts" come from? Why do you feel you need to exchange the entire room volume that frequently? What type of ducting presents a 50% loss through a 90 degree bend? Do your heat calculations only consider bare bulbs? Is this a sealed environment, tent, shed? Just want to understand your assumptions not shoot you down, it's nice work.

 

[gotdank]

perhaps you should re-read it. if thats still not enough Google and you can find the details on the "formula" easily I dont want to cause any conflict since it links to another forum that's identical to this one.

as for the 90 deg bends, If you can provide better information go for it.

 

[ScrogThis]

Never mind friend, it was not my intention to upset anyone I was just curious as to your source. fwiw I never ask a question I haven't researched thoroughly but thank you for your suggestions. Good luck and peace.

 

[gotdank]

Never mind friend, it was not my intention to upset anyone I was just curious as to your source. fwiw I never ask a question I haven't researched thoroughly but thank you for your suggestions. Good luck and peace.

I didnt mean to come off so aggressively. I really would like any alternate information.

Anyways Im just going to link to the damn article because I think this guy does a pretty good job of explaining it. hope this doesnt cause any problems

http://www.gardenscure.com/420/construction/128153-noobs-guide-first-grow-room-set.html#post1262629