Can you get 42w or 68w CFLs the same length as 23w ones?

mewk69

Active Member
I'm sorry if this is the dumbest question ever... If the answer is they have to be physically bigger to create more light, then I apologise for being a dick.

The thing is, I've got 3 x 23w CFLs placed horizontally at the top of my PC grow. I've been thinking about ways of upping the light in there for my 3rd grow, and then it dawned on me that CFLs go above 23w. Now with the ceramic socket against the back wall of the pc box, and the bulb in there, it only gives me about 2cm of space before the side panel of the case. So I haven't got any room for longer bulbs.

I've had a good google of things, and although almost all light sockets come with dimensions, I can't find any dimensions for the bulbs themselves.

If I could get some 42watters and just swap them over, then that'd be the most hassle-free upgrade to my box I could do.

So, to clarify my ramblings. Can you get 42w (or 68w) CFLs that are the same length as a regular 23w CFL?

Cheers all,
mewk.
 

mewk69

Active Member
Hmm... Taking a second look, it becomes reasonably clear, I am a dick.
They all look waay bigger than the 23w ones.
Can anyone suggest an easy solution to adding mroe light?
All I can think is to chuck in another 23w or two.
 

mewk69

Active Member
I appreciate the feedback, both of ya... But I think in my current setup, neither of those options will do the job.

@NWO - The square light thing looks great, but my lights are sidemounted, and it'd mean finding a way of attaching to the top of the box, which would mean a complete redo. Also, just checking again, I make them about 5.5" square. At a push, I could get three of them above my plants, but they're only 21w, and I'm already on 23w. So I'd lose light. As for the other bulb, that's the kinda thing I was thinking, but on looking closer at the desc, it weighs in with a length of over 7 inches. My space maxes out at around 6.5 inches.

@Bozo - They're an interesting idea man, I'd thought about strip lights a couple times. But on checking out ebay, the best I can find that'd fit into my box (16" long) would be the 24w bulbs, that're just under 13 inches long... That's cool, but I don't think there's room for three sets of them above the plant, and even if there is... I'd be gaining an extra 3w of light, for all the extra cost and work.

There's gotta be an answer.
 

CoolDudeStuff

Active Member
Well, I can see there's no reflective material in your cab! So either this, or you can build your own led panels! It's easy if you know a FEW (only a few) things about electronics!
I mean buying some 10w (or more) leds and just put them on each side!!
That's what I'm talkin bout: http://www.ebay.com/itm/10W-LED-White-High-Power-1100LM-LED-Lamp-SMD-Chips-light-bulb-for-DIY-/230917070624?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c3badf20

Hmm.. 1100 Lumens from each led? I think it's great!! I'm gonna do it, new year coming!! Cheers!
 

mewk69

Active Member
@bob - I can't mate, the box is so small, there's just not enough room for the Y splitters, I might be able to squeeze in say another 2 CFL in between the three I've got, if I take it out and give it a bit of a rejig, that seems to be the cheapest option, tho I need to figure out how much extra heat that's gonna cause.

@Growingforpeace - Yeh, that's the same ones that NWO suggested I use, check my reply to NWO a few posts back. Thanks for the suggestion tho.

@CoolDude - I do like your idea. I'm pretty dandy with a soldering iron, so I think this route has the most potential. I also like it over going for say Cree bulbs, as I know that i'd be making 100% use of each of the leds. Plus I could rig it for exactly the size I want. Have you got any links on doing a setup with leds from scratch, I get pretty confused with lumens / watts / all that stuff. How many would I need to outdo the 69w of CFLs I'm using at the moment? Also, I do need to get the box a little more 'light-reflective', that's been on my to-do list for a while now. Will sort that at the end of this grow.

//EDIT//

The LED idea has really captured me now, I think this might be the exact answer I was looking for. If anyone reading in is interested, I've just posted in the LED forum a few Q's on how to go about this for a grow my size. https://www.rollitup.org/led-other-lighting/757354-led-noob-after-some-advice.html

Thanks for all the help everyone.
mewk
 
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