4train2wreck0
Well-Known Member
someone sent me a message today asking how i built my reflector, so i typed out this tutorial real quick:
"i'd be more than happy to share how i built it
First, here's the supplies i used:
- Cardboard (i bought a trifold used for presentations at walmart)
- Mylar
- Duct Tape
- Light Sockets (here's the ones i got from lowes, the usually have the little metal reflector on them)
- 4 Little elbow things to help hang your light
- 8 Nuts and bolts to attach little elbow things
- Power strip with at least 6 sockets
First you are going to want to find out how large you want your reflector to be and how many plants are going to sit under it.
Take your cardboard and outline your measurements on it. Start with the top of the reflector, then get the sides. Make sure you remember to cut the side panels at a slant so light can be pushed outwards a bit and not directly down. Here's the measurements for mine:
After you have all your peices cut out, it's time to line them with mylar to help reflect light down. take you mylar sheet and lay the peice of cardboard on top of it. Fold the sides back one by one and tape them down. Try to do it as tight as possible, but not so tight that there are wrinkles in the mylar.
When your peices are all shiny, find a flat surface and lay the top of your reflector shiny part down. If you haven't already, measure where your sockets are going to be. I used six but i'm adding three more later on, the more the merrier.
Okay so you have your top shiny part down. Start taking the sides of the reflector and taping them to the top part. Do this before you tape the sides together. Once all the side panels are attached you can flip it over and start taping the sides of the side panels together. Simple as that!
Now just attach your elbows to hang the light from, add the power strip (i attached mine with velcro), install your lights and VOILA you have a simple CFL reflector!"
"i'd be more than happy to share how i built it
First, here's the supplies i used:
- Cardboard (i bought a trifold used for presentations at walmart)
- Mylar
- Duct Tape
- Light Sockets (here's the ones i got from lowes, the usually have the little metal reflector on them)
- 4 Little elbow things to help hang your light
- 8 Nuts and bolts to attach little elbow things
- Power strip with at least 6 sockets
First you are going to want to find out how large you want your reflector to be and how many plants are going to sit under it.
Take your cardboard and outline your measurements on it. Start with the top of the reflector, then get the sides. Make sure you remember to cut the side panels at a slant so light can be pushed outwards a bit and not directly down. Here's the measurements for mine:
After you have all your peices cut out, it's time to line them with mylar to help reflect light down. take you mylar sheet and lay the peice of cardboard on top of it. Fold the sides back one by one and tape them down. Try to do it as tight as possible, but not so tight that there are wrinkles in the mylar.
When your peices are all shiny, find a flat surface and lay the top of your reflector shiny part down. If you haven't already, measure where your sockets are going to be. I used six but i'm adding three more later on, the more the merrier.
Okay so you have your top shiny part down. Start taking the sides of the reflector and taping them to the top part. Do this before you tape the sides together. Once all the side panels are attached you can flip it over and start taping the sides of the side panels together. Simple as that!
Now just attach your elbows to hang the light from, add the power strip (i attached mine with velcro), install your lights and VOILA you have a simple CFL reflector!"
