Quick Stealth Grow Box Heat Question

hey guys, and gals.

so i recently made a stealth box out of a minifridge with 3 45 watt cfls inside and just put two jack horror seeds from germination to soil. the fridge is currently unplugged and after just two hours i can already notice the heat inside is becoming a huge problem. i realize the best way to solve this problem is by installing an intake and exhaust fan to run fresh cool air but infortunately its not too easy to rig all that inside a mini-fridge. the fridge does, however, have a temperature control gauge inside it. would it be safe to have the fridge on and running while three lights are consistently on inside? (mind u the lights are powered by an extension chord run thru a hole in door). if this works i could control my temp but i'm just wondering if the amount of electricity and piping running inside is a potentially unsafe combination??

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Hello, you kind of need adequate ventilation...and air circulation inside...CFL's don't rly put that much heat out as far as I know...whats the temperature of the air inside the room/outside?? where are you located in the world...

5280 buds said:

hey guys, and gals.

so i recently made a stealth box out of a minifridge with 3 45 watt cfls inside and just put two jack horror seeds from germination to soil. the fridge is currently unplugged and after just two hours i can already notice the heat inside is becoming a huge problem. i realize the best way to solve this problem is by installing an intake and exhaust fan to run fresh cool air but infortunately its not too easy to rig all that inside a mini-fridge. the fridge does, however, have a temperature control gauge inside it. would it be safe to have the fridge on and running while three lights are consistently on inside? (mind u the lights are powered by an extension chord run thru a hole in door). if this works i could control my temp but i'm just wondering if the amount of electricity and piping running inside is a potentially unsafe combination??

Click to expand...

i made one out of a full size fgidg. i completly gutted it out insullation everything. had no heat problem. leave exh. fan on 24/7.

let me get this right...You have no air intake/exhaust in the mini fridge?
Well heat is gonna be the least of your worries..
In grow rooms/cabs or whatever you need to have a change of air every 5 mins or so.
without atleast intake holes and an exhaust fan your plants will most likely suffocate due to lack of air movement,as for obvious reasons fridges are air tight...Mold could also be an issue.

If you've gone to the trouble of putting lights in there and drilling it out for the cables, it wouldnt be too hard to drill intake vents,and make a hole for a 12v fan at the very least....

I personally wouldnt run the fridge to control heat, for 2 reasons.
1. if your lights bust, your plants will be too cold
2. if you plaCE a heat source (3 x CFLs) in a fridge,its thermostat and the freon pump will be running 24/7 to try to compensate the heat within the fridge space, therefore it'll make your grow alot less economical

yeah man....the dude above me is right..the heat is the least of your worries...you need to get those kids some fresh air....you know how they always tell kids not to play in old refrigerators...thats because you cant breath in them....refers are made to seal air tight when closed....plants need 3 essential things to grow..light, water, and air....how would you like itif i locked you in a refer with a bunch of light on you and gave you no fresh air....and no....running the refer thermo is not a good idea.....refers emit gases from the freon let loose to keep them cold