Fixture for 68watt/2700k CFL's?

[pabloesqobar]

Here's my question/problem: I bought some of the 68w/2700k cfl's from home depot. I want to use them for a 12/12 from seed grow. I also bought some of the 8.5" clamp lights to use as the fixtures to screw into.

I tried it today and was unsuccessful. First, I tried screwing the bulb into the clamp light. It would start to screw in, but I could tell that the bulb was too big for the light and wasn't screwing in all the way. Next, I screwed an extender into the clamp light, and screwed the bulb into the extender. I plugged it in, it "blinked" on for a fraction of a second, and went out. I tried the same set up again with a different clamp light with the same result.

Then I took the bulb and screwed it into a hallway ceiling light fixture, but it didn't work.

Did I just blow the bulb? Do you know what kind of plug-in fixtures I can use for these bulbs? Thanks so much.

 

[jaxon1080]

I have the exact same set up with the extenders and everything i put together ten and had one that wouldnt start properly these bulbs are self ballast so it very well could be bad. Is it possible when you were screwing it in it wouldnt make it deep enough to make contact with the ground of the socket and you screwed the bulb section to tightly? If so put it back in the box and go grab another and a spare for saftey and screw it in by the ballast section.

 

[pabloesqobar]

Thanks for your thoughts Jaxon. I purchased 3 of the bulbs, so I could try it out again. However, I didn't want to risk ruining more bulbs while trying to troubleshoot this issue. I know you say you are using the exact same setup, but are you using the 68watt/2700k CFL's? They seem pretty big and heavy for using with the flimsy clamp lights. Particularly when using an extender. I guess Home Depot should give me a refund regardless of whether I ruin 1 bulb, or all of them.

 

[jaxon1080]

yes same lamp from the depot. i used the 10 inch lamp reflector with the porcelain base its a bit better quality then the plastic mogul base and the extensions did not have a switch string or outlets.

 

[pabloesqobar]

At the very least I will swap out my 8.5" lamp reflectors for the 10". I wasn't planning on using the extension the way I did. That extension w/outlets was to screw into the light socket in my closet, so I could have access to electricity. (No outlet in the closet and don't want to run wires out of it). I still need to figure out if I fried the one bulb, and if I should experiment with another one. Pretty friggin' annoying to say the least. I thought this would have been the easy part. Such is life.

 

[jaxon1080]

just try it. it should be fine unless the light fixture or power coming in is faulty then the new one wouldnt work but it shouldnt be ruined. the only reason it could break is the ballast going out .

 

[FilthyFletch]

depends on the pan reflector some have a built in protector so they dont fire the 65 watt 300 watt equal cfls. I have 2 pans like that. Thought I had a bad bulb then tested it in normal socket fires right up. you have to get the pan with higher wattage protection or none. The older ones usually run all bulbs

 

[pabloesqobar]

Well, the reflectors I have claim to be rated to 150watts. But perhaps there is something inherent in these CFL's that will prevent them from being used in some reflectors. I think I'll take the one bulb (that I know doesn't work now), and all 3 reflectors back to Home Depot. I'll get the bulb replaced, and get the bigger reflectors, like jaxon1080 has and see if that does it. I want those anyways. And I'll see if I can find some genius working at Home Depot that can shed some light on this. I'm taking Roseman's advice if they ask me what I need it for: "My pet turtle". I'm looking forward to seeing their reaction if I get to use that quote

 

[FilthyFletch]

Best way is to just buy an orange extension cord and a socket. Cut the female end off wire the socket in and your done. Costs about $5 takes about 5 minutes and will not be restricted. easy to test the bulb just put it in a regular light socket like a lamp or fan will show you if it works or not. The ballast has something to do with it not working in some of the pans. Brands vary and effect it. The home depot ones do not seem to always work but the cheaper store brands like wal mart almost always do..go figure less saftey lol

 

[pabloesqobar]

Thanks for your input FF. I've never done that before, but I'm sure I could find out how to do it online. What you're suggesting will take more than 5 minutes, tho. I'd have to buy 3 extension cords and 3 sockets if I wanted 3 lights. (let me know if I'm misinterpreting what you're suggesting). Then I have to figure out how to make reflectors for all of them. Or, find some way to jerryrig home depot reflectors with what I just fabricated. I've been to the DIY section and saw some simple instructions for making reflectors so not a big deal I guess. But damn, sure is a lot more work from when I thought I could just screw these bulbs into a turn-key reflector/socket setup and be done with it.

 

[jaxon1080]

trying to upload

 

[pabloesqobar]

Jaxon1080, thanks man! A picture says a thousand words. Now I know exactly what to get. Nice grow, by the way. I was hoping that 3 of these bulbs would be sufficient for 1, maybe 2 plants - 12/12 from seed.

 

[FilthyFletch]

You can still use the 10 inch reflectors as they adjust to size and can be made to reclamp on a new socket. I said 5 minutes as an over time figuring you may not have done it. yeah 3 cords at $3 each 3 socets at $2 each so it woulkd be about 15 bucks toss in a buck for wire nuts takes about 1-2 minutes to cut and twist the wires..Buyt you could do like shown and buy a fixture for 3 bulbs at most discount home repair places.

 

[jaxon1080]

Jaxon1080, thanks man! A picture says a thousand words. Now I know exactly what to get. Nice grow, by the way. I was hoping that 3 of these bulbs would be sufficient for 1, maybe 2 plants - 12/12 from seed.

well im going to go to an hps because my set up is about 15 sq ft but the lights can be 2 to 3 inches from the plant with these and the foot candles are around 3000. For me for now they are sufficient i vegged for two weeks then started flowering 14 one foot tall plants. the pic is 2 days into flower. my temps went to 85 deg to 90 so intake from a room thats most 72 deg and exhaust to attic will keep you fine. i would grow two plant and set it up light plant light plant light the amount of wattage is low and the plant should yeild a 1/2 to an oz per plant if good genes. maybe more

 

[jaxon1080]

12/12 from seed is a bad idea get a good root structure for a week or two at 24/0 or 18/6 . grow 4 to 6 plants then when you flower you can keep the 2 best and throw out the males and weak ones

 

[Mysticlown150]

12/12 from seed is a bad idea get a good root structure for a week or two at 24/0 or 18/6 . grow 4 to 6 plants then when you flower you can keep the 2 best and throw out the males and weak ones

Lol how is it a bad idea? Many people here do 5 plants 12/12 from seed and get a couple oz's of bud in 2 months. Of course its better to veg but when you factor in time and space some just do 12/12.

 

[jaxon1080]

Lol how is it a bad idea? Many people here do 5 plants 12/12 from seed and get a couple oz's of bud in 2 months. Of course its better to veg but when you factor in time and space some just do 12/12.

i agree i didnt mean bad idea but nutes , lux, root structure all play a part in quantity i am just saying from experience with this set up i veg for a week or two not to get tremindus veg but to support the nutes and ppm levels for the eight weeks thats all

 

[FilthyFletch]

Im with jax on the not doing 12/12 from seed if your not into maximaxing yield from a plant and maximizing its potency then you can do 12/12 from seed on immature plants but I persoanlly would never reccomend or do it myself.

 

[jaxon1080]

Im with jax on the not doing 12/12 from seed if your not into maximaxing yield from a plant and maximizing its potency then you can do 12/12 from seed on immature plants but I persoanlly would never reccomend or do it myself.

thanks FF a few weeks can make a world of difference. if hight is an issue you need to top giving you more weeks of veg, if width is an issue then lollipop but the veg could benifit you greatly for the time it takes IMHO. aero is more aggressive so veg and flower times may be different for you.

 

[Mysticlown150]

Lol of course vegging for a couple weeks will give you a bigger yield and better plant in general. I've seen randyrocket do 12/12 from seed,5 plants and his plants came out very well. Within just 2 and a half months. I'll always veg my plants but I won't knock someone from doing 12/12 from seed if they want their bud faster for whatever reason (moving,traveling,paranoid).