realtomatoes
Member
Never one to disappoint I have a DIYer's dream project for HID. I purchased 6 ballasts (1x400 (HPS), 3x250(MH) and 2x175(MH). There were also several matching bulbs. This was in a sheriff's auction, I apologize to whoever was the victim, however, the last I saw no one was actually apprehended.
What I need to do now is to get these ballasts and bulbs operational. This is for my 10x20 garage with windows covering 2 sides. There are currently lights evenly split between HID and LED with approximately 3000 watts of lighting. Using the normal 50 watts per square foot I would need 10,000 watts but since I am actually growing real tomatoes I can leave the windows uncovered and use the light from the sun. The windows face south and west but are heavily shaded in the summer so I am only giving myself about a 20% advantage for the 'free' light. So, assuming I can get all 6 new bulbs burning I will be left with a deficit of 3500 watts which I hope to fill with LEDs.
Of course, I want to keep costs low. I would like to find a single enclosure for the ballasts and have purchased ceramic holders for the bulbs. The plan so far is to purchase a long aluminum sheet with aluminum standoffs to attach the holders and use a single strip of Viagrow reflective film down the entire east wall of the garage to act as the reflector. The bulbs will be protected with the wire cages you see on construction sites for work lights and cooled with small computer fans I already own. The bulbs will be spaced to evenly distribute the MH light with the HPS in the center and offset so it covers the largest area possible. To make the 'greenhouse' as configurable as possible I am trying to light the entire garage from the ceiling down. The current lights are mounted on the west side near the ceiling with the lenses angled to light the entire floor area. As I am growing vining tomatoes that will be up to 6 feet tall those lights on the far wall in either direction will not have good penetration through the canopy.
My immediate need is for an enclosure that will hold all 6 ballasts. As my last LED lighting project failed miserably due to a deficit in knowledge (still holding out hope I can get it working when the HID project is complete) I am looking for you guys and gals to tear this one apart and point out any potential weaknesses you see in the plan. Thanks in advance for your input.
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What I need to do now is to get these ballasts and bulbs operational. This is for my 10x20 garage with windows covering 2 sides. There are currently lights evenly split between HID and LED with approximately 3000 watts of lighting. Using the normal 50 watts per square foot I would need 10,000 watts but since I am actually growing real tomatoes I can leave the windows uncovered and use the light from the sun. The windows face south and west but are heavily shaded in the summer so I am only giving myself about a 20% advantage for the 'free' light. So, assuming I can get all 6 new bulbs burning I will be left with a deficit of 3500 watts which I hope to fill with LEDs.
Of course, I want to keep costs low. I would like to find a single enclosure for the ballasts and have purchased ceramic holders for the bulbs. The plan so far is to purchase a long aluminum sheet with aluminum standoffs to attach the holders and use a single strip of Viagrow reflective film down the entire east wall of the garage to act as the reflector. The bulbs will be protected with the wire cages you see on construction sites for work lights and cooled with small computer fans I already own. The bulbs will be spaced to evenly distribute the MH light with the HPS in the center and offset so it covers the largest area possible. To make the 'greenhouse' as configurable as possible I am trying to light the entire garage from the ceiling down. The current lights are mounted on the west side near the ceiling with the lenses angled to light the entire floor area. As I am growing vining tomatoes that will be up to 6 feet tall those lights on the far wall in either direction will not have good penetration through the canopy.
My immediate need is for an enclosure that will hold all 6 ballasts. As my last LED lighting project failed miserably due to a deficit in knowledge (still holding out hope I can get it working when the HID project is complete) I am looking for you guys and gals to tear this one apart and point out any potential weaknesses you see in the plan. Thanks in advance for your input.
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