Question About LED Drivers and Fire Safety

Hey guys,

I wanted to get the LED drivers for my Mars Hydro TSW 2000 light outside of my grow tent. I thought it might help reduce interior temperatures. I know some people hang drivers by the cords. I wasn't to crazy about that idea. But, I got to thinking having them on the carpeted floor (like I currently do) might be dangerous. Since I couldn't find the answer via Google, I thought I would check with you guys. Is this safe? They definitely are generating a lot of heat. I have the light at maximum brightness right now. Thank you!

Ukulele Haze said:

Hey guys,

I wanted to get the LED drivers for my Mars Hydro TSW 2000 light outside of my grow tent. I thought it might help reduce interior temperatures. I know some people hang drivers by the cords. I wasn't to crazy about that idea. But, I got to thinking having them on the carpeted floor (like I currently do) might be dangerous. Since I couldn't find the answer via Google, I thought I would check with you guys. Is this safe? They definitely are generating a lot of heat. I have the light at maximum brightness right now. Thank you!

View attachment 4764298

Click to expand...

This is your fire hazard all of it

evergreengardener said:

This is your fire hazard all of it

Click to expand...

Oh dear. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Ukulele Haze said:

Oh dear. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Click to expand...

It may not be but certainly not the best way to have all those wires.
How many amps is the breaker you have all thats plugged into and what are all the plugs going to? You need to know the amps of all that but generally you don’t want to see all those cords like that you can screw the drivers to the wall to get them off the carpet.

evergreengardener said:

It may not be but certainly not the best way to have all those wires.
How many amps is the breaker you have all thats plugged into and what are all the plugs going to? You need to know the amps of all that but generally you don’t want to see all those cords like that you can screw the drivers to the wall to get them off the carpet.

Click to expand...

Honestly, I have no clue about amps or anything of that nature (I wish I did). I definitely think I could do some cable management on the cords (like you would a PC). I am renting here, so I can't really screw things into the wall. I was wondering if there might be something safe I could set the drivers on. Perhaps it could be made of metal?

This is what I have plugged in currently, all on a timer:

Exhaust Fan
Extension Cord+ Grow Light (Drivers and Dimmer have their own cabling)
Extension Cord + Interior Fan

That is all. I think it looks like I have more plugged in than I do because of the power strips and extension cords.

Ukulele Haze said:

Hey guys,

I wanted to get the LED drivers for my Mars Hydro TSW 2000 light outside of my grow tent. I thought it might help reduce interior temperatures. I know some people hang drivers by the cords. I wasn't to crazy about that idea. But, I got to thinking having them on the carpeted floor (like I currently do) might be dangerous. Since I couldn't find the answer via Google, I thought I would check with you guys. Is this safe? They definitely are generating a lot of heat. I have the light at maximum brightness right now. Thank you!

View attachment 4764298

Click to expand...

I would recommend a filter on the intake

I keep mine on top of the tent. I flipped over a rolling tray, and it sits on top.
Maybe you can come up with something similar. A metal surface is preferred over carpet.
The drivers get too hot to sit on carpet.

Everything should be off the ground at the very least imo.

HydroKid239 said:

I keep mine on top of the tent. I flipped over a rolling tray, and it sits on top.
Maybe you can come up with something similar. A metal surface is preferred over carpet.
The drivers get too hot to sit on carpet.

Click to expand...

I never thought of that, but it seems like a great idea.

guitarguy10 said:

Everything should be off the ground at the very least imo.

Click to expand...

Yes, easy way is a small end table or build something. If you build it you can space everything out nicely and mount it in place.

You can't put those sticky holders on the wall even? and just mount the power strip to that?

They are removeable without doing any damage if you're careful. Something like this:

You can also get really creative with just zip ties, those things can be used for anything.

guitarguy10 said:

You can't put those sticky holders on the wall even? and just mount the power strip to that?

They are removeable without doing any damage if you're careful. Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Mounts-Holders-Multi-Purpose-Length/dp/B07TK1ZTDM/ref=sr_1_16?dchild=1&keywords=3m+adhesive+hook+mount&qid=1607559988&sr=8-16

You can also get really creative with just zip ties, those things can be used for anything.

Click to expand...

I don't think something like that would be any issue with my living arrangement. That's another thing I might consider, providing the materials would not be flammable themselves.

I think I'll play ukulele for a while. Thanks so much for all of the advice so far guys. I have some things to think about, and am glad I made this thread.

I set stuff on a couple chunks of drywall or mount stuff on drywall, it won’t conduct and it won’t burn.

I used to keep ballasts on bricks to absorb some heat and keep them off the floor.

If you want to get informed,
Read all the fine print on the back of everything you have plugged in.
Make a list of all the amperage draws listed on them.
Then check your breaker box/fuses.
You'll get an idea of what you could potentially be pulling in amps with everything on at once; and know if your circuit is up to the task.
Maybe you'll have to spread the load out over two breakers- by running a good quality cord from another room.
So you don't overload any circuits/breakers.
That's what I've had to do untill I upgrade my electrical service.

Yep, figure out exactly which outlets match up with which circuit, it's prob a 15 amp circuit, so don't go past 13 amp draw on that circuit-it's considered a best practice not to exceed 80% of the circuit. You might have other high draw devices on that circuit and not be aware of it. Also, get a fire extinguisher. I just got a new halotron extinguisher so I can blast my electronics and not have to clean anything up.

What is this clean halotron extinguisher you spreak of?

Cookie Rider said:

What is this clean halotron extinguisher you spreak of?

Click to expand...

If you cannot bolt to the wall why not just get a piece of plywood or as J232 suggested, drywall. Lean it against the wall and bolt stuff to it.

I came up with a temporary solution of terracotta pots (see photo). My thinking is they will not conduct electricity. I don't know what science has to say about heat though. I am currently sharing my house with an uninvited guest (a mouse). I fear the rodent could get a bit overzealous and knock the dang things over. Though, it may not possess the prerequisite strength.

Both the drywall idea and plywood suggestion sound promising. But, I am going to need to buy supplies for that.

I might end up mounting the drivers and dimmer to the light itself again until I can figure this out. I have to drive into office for a few days and don't want to be paranoid. At least, not while I'm sober.



After I snapped the picture, I also pulled the entire tent forward about 6 in / 15.24cm. That seemed to help me isolate the drivers from cables and the canvas of the tent.