Question about a Shop Light for growing

BalloonFight

BalloonFight

Active Member
I have a 2-tube shop light with grow bulbs for my plants. However, due to the inability to hang it from the cieling, I am forced to use 2 bookcases to bridge the light across, while each end is resting on a different bookcase. It actually works well because when I need to raise the light, I just move it up a level on the bookcase. What I need to know is: Has anyone else ever propped up a fluorescent light like that, and is it a potential fire hazard to do so? The bulbs dont get hot at all...:?
 
smoke and coke

smoke and coke

Well-Known Member
if you are familiar with electrical conduit called EMT, you can make a light hanger.
all the items you can get at home depot, lowes, or electrical supply store.
it comes in different sizes, i would use 3/4" because its a little sturdier than 1/2", but 1/2" would still work.

it comes in 10' lengths. so pick up however much you need for the height you want to make it.
get 2 LB's
get 2 "T's"

take the T's and put 4 pieces of conduit the same length on, 2 on each T with the T in the middle. these will be the feet.
now take 2 pieces of conduit the same length and put 1 in each T going up. this will be the height.
put an LB on each top piece pointing in.
then put another piece across in to both LB's and this will be the length of the light stand.
now hang your light. i would use jack chain to hang it so i could raise and lower the light.

if i have all the parts i could make one and post a pic if needed, but im hopeing i dont have to go to that extreme. if you dont understand let me know.
 
BalloonFight

BalloonFight

Active Member
But what im worried about is can the edges of the shop light support its own weight? Im probably being a paranoid stoner but I keep thinking that with it resting, some kind of pin or something will bend inside the connectors and start a fire or somethin...
 
smoke and coke

smoke and coke

Well-Known Member
probly wont cause a fire, but sometimes the side are flimsy and the side help support the sockets. if the side fold out a little the bulb will go out or fall out of the socket.
that stand i am talking about making will work and it is cheap to make.
 
BalloonFight

BalloonFight

Active Member
The thing is, it is resting on the sockets. It seems ok and the sockets dont get hot or anything, I had to do this so it wouldnt rest directly on the bulbs. This way, the bulbs never pop out like if it was resting on the sides. Still think its ok for me to do?
 
Majastee

Majastee

Member
I do not think heat will be a problem because i have fluorescent bulbs and they do no put off much heat at all. It looks like your lights are sitting alright on the books just make sure to be very careful when you are around your setup because one quick slip up and you'll be kickin your self in the ass for a while:leaf:
 
Mattplusness

Mattplusness

Well-Known Member
sorry was at my grandpa's for father's day yesterday, and i been doing yardwork all day. anyway, so the whole ac unit is covering above it? If i'm wrong let me know, but what I can think of off the bat is to use one of those doggy door bars, or shower rods. if you're not familiar with either for some reason, they are a bar that locks with a push up button that you can expand fairly tight and strong. the good ones have kind of a rubber suction..thingy on the end that makes them be able to stretch far while still being very supportive. pick one up at a hardware store or a bath store (maybe bed bath and beyond?)

and then with that if you can find one that would work, just zip tie the chains to it, and that way its able to be changed every time.



another thing you could do is get an adjustable shelf that goes on the wall, and just fasten some pole or little hook that sticks in the slot, and use that, but that's going to damage your walls (if that's an issue)
 
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