Tent flaw with disastrous results.....

[THCBR549]

Had a tent, about 36x36x78 out in the shed. Go out to check everything - disaster. Light down but still on, resting on four plants and cooking them. Cooked them real good.

At first I thought a chain had broken - nope. Ratchet failed? Nope. This was a typical tent made from a light tubing framework. The tubes were connected by PLASTIC connectors at the corners. One of the connectors had deteriorated, become brittle, and finally snapped, bringing down the light. The other connectors were brittle as well and easily broke.

The tent was about 4-5 years old at the maximum, nice one otherwise. If you have a tent like this with plastic connectors you might want to check'em.

FYI

 

[whitebb2727]

Yea its a good idea. Same thing happens on cars to wiring and plumbing connectors. It is the hot, cold cycle that speeds the deterioration.

Maybe make a new frame from conduit. Conduit elbows or steel pipe elbows. You could get gas line or galvanized pipe. Like half or 3/4 and build a new frame. A person could even use 2x2 wood.

 

[hondagrower420]

Cold+plastic=brittle

If you work on cars and try to pull plastic pieces they snap.

They sell replacement metal connectors for tents.

 

[kermit2692]

Even brand new I always highly reinforce a tent with duct tape criss cross style at all the joints.. Tents can be great but a little shady for the weight they need to hold lol

 

[KryptoBud]

That's sucks, at least it didn't start a fire plants can be replaced

 

[BiG PuFFer]

Cold+plastic=brittle

If you work on cars and try to pull plastic pieces they snap.

They sell replacement metal connectors for tents.

You have a link for the replacements?

 

[prostheticninja]

http://www.ysbw.com/ for those corners m8.

Any size and any design you can hope to get your hands on.

 

[Kind Sir]

I got a Apollo 4x4 tent and am very happy with it. Its all metal, no light leaks. Im getting rid of the tent right when I can afford a new setup. Im always worrying it going to fall somehow.

 

[blackforest]

Always get the tents with the metal corner connectors. I have 3 made by MTN (ebay cheap) with 600d fabric. I've put them up and taken them down several times, very tough. They have little spring clips to hold them together, but I always use a small piece of duct tape for extra measure.

 

[Skunk Baxter]

I'm surprised they lasted as long as they did, frankly. I just use 90 degree copper elbows for my corner brackets; work great. I also brace them by taking flat "L"-shaped brackets and fastening to them the corner with tight hose clamps. Holds really well, and adds a ton of stability.

 

[since1991]

Tents suck. Saying that i use a 6x6x6 packed with t5's for vegging my preflowers before going in my bloom room. Always buy the highest quality tent you can afford if you must buy a tent. Metal connecting corners always....thickest material always. But i have to tell you....tents suck.