MoNk0
Well-Known Member
Since my grow area is a PC I needed something compact that I could fit in my case, but also something that could mount 5 CFL's.
I seen some pvc fixtures around but nothing that really tailored to the small small grow area that I have.
With that said the size of the pvc you will use depends on the size of the area you need to put it in.
What you will need
1/2in CPVC with 1/2in CPVC 90 degree fittings and 1/2in CPVC T fittings.
At your local Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, etc. You should be able to get a 10ft 1/2in CPVC for around $4 USD.
Fittings are roughly $.30 cents ea.
Fixtures I picked up at Menards there basic light socket with a bracket off the back to mount with screw terminals for wires. Around $1.50 USD
16/2 Lamp Cord (I picked up 16ft for around $12-$14 USD)
15amp 3-prong (all they had can use 2 prong since we don't have a ground) Around $3-$4 USD
Basicly I made this 2 tier, reason being as I wanted to be able to mount this and the lights not hit the top of my pc. Can also hang in a larger area if need be.
Since I attached this to the top of my pc, I started off by measuring the inside of the top of the case. Once I had some figures I started measuring fittings.
You must remember with 1/2in CPVC fittings is that you need to measure the pipe 1/2in per fitting longer to allow for the pipe to slide into fitting.
Also used T's too drop to the second tier. For this tier since I'm using 1/2in CPVC I had to use T's to attach the light socket due to it was to loose attached straight to 1/2in CPVC.
Wiring this up is easy with lamp cord due to you only have 2 wires. I wired this up in a series, which means I had to jump from socket to socket. The lamp cord I used had a + or - on one wire (can't remember) and other wire was blank. Since what wire you use for white and what you use for black doesn't matter, I used the wire with the design for White. This helped me keep the white wire right all the way throught, you can use it for black whatever is easier for you. Just so long as you don't cross them while wiring. This also helps when going to wire in the plug end. The inside will be marked (mine said White | Black and had screw terminal for each), made wiring the plug easy knowing the wire with the marking was white and blank wire was black.
Your light socket should tell you which terminal is for the neutral wire (white) and hot wire (black)
Probably an easier way of attaching the lights but thats what I came up with and it works.
Hope this helps anyone that is wanting to grow with CFL's but doesn't have an idea of how to hook them up. Some people use Power strips with the ac plug in light fixture but most power strips only allow for 3-4 CFLs.
If anything needs explained further or anyone has suggestions to add to this feel free.
If you feel this to be useful +rep is appreciated
I seen some pvc fixtures around but nothing that really tailored to the small small grow area that I have.
With that said the size of the pvc you will use depends on the size of the area you need to put it in.
What you will need
1/2in CPVC with 1/2in CPVC 90 degree fittings and 1/2in CPVC T fittings.
At your local Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, etc. You should be able to get a 10ft 1/2in CPVC for around $4 USD.
Fittings are roughly $.30 cents ea.
Fixtures I picked up at Menards there basic light socket with a bracket off the back to mount with screw terminals for wires. Around $1.50 USD
16/2 Lamp Cord (I picked up 16ft for around $12-$14 USD)
15amp 3-prong (all they had can use 2 prong since we don't have a ground) Around $3-$4 USD
Basicly I made this 2 tier, reason being as I wanted to be able to mount this and the lights not hit the top of my pc. Can also hang in a larger area if need be.
Since I attached this to the top of my pc, I started off by measuring the inside of the top of the case. Once I had some figures I started measuring fittings.
You must remember with 1/2in CPVC fittings is that you need to measure the pipe 1/2in per fitting longer to allow for the pipe to slide into fitting.
Also used T's too drop to the second tier. For this tier since I'm using 1/2in CPVC I had to use T's to attach the light socket due to it was to loose attached straight to 1/2in CPVC.
Wiring this up is easy with lamp cord due to you only have 2 wires. I wired this up in a series, which means I had to jump from socket to socket. The lamp cord I used had a + or - on one wire (can't remember) and other wire was blank. Since what wire you use for white and what you use for black doesn't matter, I used the wire with the design for White. This helped me keep the white wire right all the way throught, you can use it for black whatever is easier for you. Just so long as you don't cross them while wiring. This also helps when going to wire in the plug end. The inside will be marked (mine said White | Black and had screw terminal for each), made wiring the plug easy knowing the wire with the marking was white and blank wire was black.
Your light socket should tell you which terminal is for the neutral wire (white) and hot wire (black)
Probably an easier way of attaching the lights but thats what I came up with and it works.
Hope this helps anyone that is wanting to grow with CFL's but doesn't have an idea of how to hook them up. Some people use Power strips with the ac plug in light fixture but most power strips only allow for 3-4 CFLs.
If anything needs explained further or anyone has suggestions to add to this feel free.
If you feel this to be useful +rep is appreciated
