add a glass shield to a reflector

mogie

Well-Known Member
Adding Glass Shields to HPS reflectors

1. First of all, you'll need a Reflector with HPS of course I think that way of adding glass will be suitable for many kind of reflectors.

[Editor's note: Venus has used a batwing, but this technique can be used on many different shapes of reflectors, as long as there is adequate clearance between the bulb and glass. Large 1000w MH bulbs may not fit inside glass-enclosed reflectors]



2. That is all u need: Pliers, Sidecutter, "Philips" screwdriver, 5mm bit for making holes in reflector, 4 bolts, 4 "L" shaped brackets, a ruler, electric drill and isolating band (rubber/elastic tape). Note the bolts and "L" shaped brackets that I used.






3. Now, to make this done u will need a peace of glass. Take the ruler and measure the size of glass u will need. Hardware stores, windows shops, etc will cut any type of glass you want. Bring your measurements. I used regular, 1/8 (3 mm) window glass. Here is the peace they cut for me using sizes I gave them.

[Editor's note: most window/glass stores can make fabricate/cut tempered glass (high heat resistance, thin & light, but high cost), or regular plate glass (lower cost).

Tempered glass is preferrable for high wattage lamps, as their heat is extreme. Plate glass can crack under these hot conditions.]


4. Take the electric drill and drill 4 holes in each corner of the reflector. To make this, I used a 5mm bit.









5. Take the isolating band and cut it with scissors in half......I doing this because the width of the iso-band is more wider than the "L" shaped bracket. Now ,take that half cut iso-band and just roll over the "L" shaped bracket. That way, the glass will sit on a soft surface instead of a metal surface - protecting it against scratches, vibrations and slip over...





6. Take the bolts & brackets and screw them all together to the reflector......

Then, flip over the reflector and slide the peace of glass into it.

Here u can see how it will look with the glass sitting on the brackets and just below the bulb......I kept 1.5 inch (4 cm) between the glass and bulb.





7. After all dirty work is done, the final product looks gorgeous and will do the job it was intended to do......

With all stuff prepared before doing the job ,yuo can finish all this in about an hour ....
 

mogie

Well-Known Member
Thanks Paulio. It allows to move the light closer to your plants by reducing the heat. Heat is actually sucked away before leaving the encolsed hood.
 

BOGGLEGUM420

Well-Known Member
how do you exhaust it? or do you just leave an end open and pull air out of there...i have a maximizer reflector...can i make one for this reflector? if so how would i exhaust it? thanks mog..

 

mogie

Well-Known Member
This is just a simple version. You are just giving your plants a break by focusing the heat away and venting out the sides.

You would have to cut holes in each end. Run tubing (the kind used for dryers) and exhaust out.
 

mogie

Well-Known Member


Okay see the two rings at the bottom right of the pic? Those would go where the flange is (directly above the ring on the right). You would run tubing from these rings.
 

BOGGLEGUM420

Well-Known Member
mogie...i totally understand how an air cooled light works...i am asking you if i can add a glass shield to my reflector....yes or no...thank you
 

donnieosmond

Well-Known Member
You also forgot to mention the glass protects the flowers from the bulb accidentally shattering and contaminating the garden with particles and preventing stray water or condensation from making contact with the bulb.
 

TheSky

Well-Known Member
Um, Mogie after some research I've found that you can't cut tempered glass. And that ceramic is even better than tempered. (I have no clue about glass). My light hangs down in the socket for some reason, so I'm afraid the glass will touch, but if I buy ceramic..will that be a problem?
 

blonddie07

Well-Known Member
Awsome post man... I am so going to do this... i cant understand why i havn't thought of this yet... Im actually going to make it enclosed with some 6 inch holes so i can connect to a fan...

Ill post pics! :)
 
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