modified cfls

I read in the grow faq that you can modify cfls to eliminate the need of a cord and socket.
You start by removing the socket part on the bulb and drilling 2 holes through the plastic part of the ballast to pull the two wires out of...
my question is... what do i do with the two wires after i pull them out? can i plug them directly into the outlet? Although I don't know much about electrical work, this seems pretty simple, so at the risk of destroying a cfl, I'd like to try and see if i can do it..

anyone know??

im guessing it meant to use those two wires and wire them to your cord going into the wall. just look at the pics and you can see what i mean.

thats what i assumed.. but does it matter which wire goes in which side? do you know if i can lengthen the wires?

They sell adapters that make a light bulb screw into a plug...just go get one of those from home depot or lowes and put that sucker on en extension cord and there ya go...problem fixed P.S. they cost like $2

LeviJeans said:

They sell adapters that make a light bulb screw into a plug...just go get one of those from home depot or lowes and put that sucker on en extension cord and there ya go...problem fixed P.S. they cost like $2

Click to expand...

they take up alot of space.. but thats not the point.. i just think its worth trying..

Kit said:

they take up alot of space.. but thats not the point.. i just think its worth trying..

Click to expand...

Hmmm....Figured that would work for ya..let me know how wiring them works for you...never considered doing it.

Kit said:

thats what i assumed.. but does it matter which wire goes in which side? do you know if i can lengthen the wires?

Click to expand...

the colors on the wires youre connecting should match up, and what do you mean by lengthening the wires?

what wires am i connecting to them?

i mean that if i pull the two wires out of the ballast, they will be short.. how do i make them longer so that i can connect them to wherever they have to be connected to.. (which i'm still not sure of)

dude just buy the fixtures. lmao. dont make it anymore complicated than it already is. i understand what u mean by space constraints, 1 or 2 cm is not worth a shabby wiring job.

They r not any bigger then the light bulb base...
They have two wires, blk and white. Nute and hot.
Easy to hook up.

Dude yea, YOU need to buy the adapter they are UNDER $2 at wally world. That wiring job sounds too 'complicated'.

GO to walmart by the light section and look for something called a bottle lamp kit, 2.00 its the 2 wires and plug, a socket for the bulb, and a bunch of other wierd stuff, its supposed to be a kit where you dan make your fav bottle into a lamp.

IF thats what ur talking about.

I have seen a couple posts here lately about things similar as this. What is the deal with either modifing bulbs or eliminating sockets? The bulbs and sockets are built a certain way for a reason, I promise you they did not make these things to make your life hell. If you do not have room then there is a problem in your grow op design, not the bulb. For safety sake, leave the bulb alone and use it the way it is designed to be used. Keep in mind also when screwing with floros, they contain mercury and in case you do not know mercury is not a very nice substance when it comes into contact with humans.

i don't think there's anything wrong with the sockets.. that wasn't the point.. I'm just curious..
anyway, i figured it out...

Its easy to do the only problem is you won't have a ground. Drill the 2 holes and you'll pull out either a black and red or black and white wire. Splice the black wire to the black wire on your extension (should be just a male/female cord with no ground) you can use any type of wire you want for your extension just make sure the wire rating is 90C+ or it may melt with heat. Then attach the common (white or red) wire to your common wire on your extension. Make sure all splice caps are on tight (wires will braid together outside the cap) and plug in your extension to an outlet.

The main problem with this is like I said - No Ground is available. If your a good electrician you can use this rig without worries but please don't attempt it if your not sure. Fire and electrical shock are big concerns when running with no ground and considering your bulb won't be in a socket so MAKE SURE it is hanging safely and the heat eminating off the bulb can't cause any damage to the walls, carpet or ceiling.

I'll be posting pics of my CFL growbox very soon. Its got 8 dual fixtures with a hanging 20watt daylight lamp.