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InvisibleDrGreenThumb
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Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS)
    #602656 - 12/24/11 05:27 AM (12 years, 2 months ago)

So here it is once again: OD Shoplights.

Building an Overdriven Shoplight.

In order to build an OD shoplight you are going to need 2 lights in order to make 1 fixture. The idea is to combine 2 shoplights into 1. Instead of 1 ballast running 2 fluorescent tubes, you are going to have 1 ballast power 1 tube (and another ballast power the other). Why you ask? This effectively doubles the amount of power (wattage) to the lights. You run regular 40W T8 bulbs at 80W! This is much more then any 54W T5 setup you might be thinking about buying.

Additionally, it runs much COOLER than T5's do. When I veg, many times the plants actually TOUCH the bulbs. As long as they are watered and a small oscillating fan is running they will NOT BURN.

In my opinion this is completely safe. As long as you are not an absolute moron, putting this together is easy. Once you build one the next one is EASY. I have been running 3 of them side-by-side in a small closet 24/7/365 for well over 2 years. I've never even burnt a bulb. (I changed the bulbs at the 2 year mark)

You will need:
2  Lights of America Model 8045E Shoplights (Wal-Mart hardware $10 each) hint: keep your receipt
1-2 boxes of wire tap splices.

Tools: Leatherman, Flathead Screwdriver, Hacksaw


---Take apart both lights---
1. Use your fingers to pry off both endcaps. They are held on by little clips on the reflector. Just twist them a little and they should come off easily without a problem. Then remove the center piece covering the wires. It should pull right out of the reflector very easily.


2. Take the end without the ballast and remove the endcap. Use the flathead screwdriver to bend the plastic surrounding the tabs holding the endcap together. Then jimmy the tabs and it should come apart. Then pry off the wire covers. Some wire covers are easy while others are glued to the post. Just work the screwdriver under the cover and pry up gently. Remove the jumper wire and take the wires out of the endcap.


4. Remove ONE of the ballasts from the reflector by removing the GREEN ground wire.

You should now have 2 ballasts in front of you with three long wires coming out of them.

---Assemble & Wire your light---
5. Remove your ballast caps the same way you did the endcaps. Bend plastic holding tabs. Jimmy tabs. Be VERY CAREFUL with the ballast covers that you don't break anything. Arrange your ballasts like you see in the pic.


6. This is what you see when you open the ballast (1st pic). You want to connect the black and red wires together so they make ONE wire. Use a tap splice. Snip off the end of the black and red wire from one side (2nd pic). And connect the RED to RED and BLACK to BLACK (3rd pic). Do this with the ballast still connected to the reflector.


7. Now you want to take your loose ballast and run your power to the other side so you have 1 cord to power BOTH ballasts. To do this you COMPRESS and TWIST this little plastic piece with pliers (leatherman) until it pops out (1st pic). Then cut the plug off and remove the cord (2nd pic). Note: To close up this side of the ballast you are going to use one of the leftover endcaps without a hole.


HERE COMES THE HARD PART. This is a PITA to do the first time but after you do it once it becomes easy. I can make a complete light in about 30mins.

8. Run the power cord that you just cut OVER THE TOP of the ballast circuit board, through the slot and over to the other ballast. You can remove the ballast circuit board from the box if you take the wires off the light terminals.

9. You want to take the 3 LONG wires from the other side (RED, YELLOW, BLACK) and feed those through the slot over the ballast board. Now connect the RED and YELLOW wires from the other side together using a tap splice. Connect these RED and BLACK wires to the corresponding terminal from the ballast on the other side. Remember, you are using 1 ballast to power 1 bulb. It should look like this.


10. Do the exact same thing to the other side only splice the power cords together. When you run the power from the other side be sure to keep the cord STRAIGHT and FLAT so you can follow where the individual wires go. Separate the wires and find out which wire is connected to the K terminal (on the ballast circuit board) on the other side. Tap splice into the power wire on the K terminal. Do the same with the other wire and just cut the ground wire off. It should look like this in the end.


11. Now put the wire covers back in place. This keeps the wire oriented straight to the bulb terminal and HELPS keep it from pulling out.

---Put it back together---
12. Snap the ballast covers back on. This is not very simple! You need to get all the tap splices oriented right in order to press them together. It may be a tight fit and the ballast casing may bulge a little. This is OK. Just be aware that it may cause your lights to fit tighter. That's good. Just be careful putting bulbs in.

13. Take the CENTER WIRE COVER (The one that runs down the middle of the reflector) and cut off 5 inches using a hacksaw.

14. Snap the ballasts back onto the reflector and replace the center wire cover. Use a twist tie to shorten the power cord running down the center. It should look like this.


Can you tell which one is Overdriven?


The results speak volumes. Short internode spacing, vibrant growth. I can veg for twice as long. Here's a progression.


--------------------
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” -Dr. Seuss

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InvisibleDrG
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: DrGreenThumb]
    #602661 - 12/24/11 06:21 AM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Nice feet mate,hehe,just kidding:-)That's awesome man,and exactly what type of lights I have too!

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OfflineKaptKid
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: DrGreenThumb]
    #602682 - 12/24/11 09:49 AM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Thanks DrG


have limited space in one grow area. Flouros are the only thing that will fit in that area.

Will be interresting to see a before and after on the light meter.

Will see about getting parts after Christmas rush.



:peace:


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OfflineRasJeph
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: DrGreenThumb]
    #602687 - 12/24/11 10:08 AM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Very very nice. I'd love to get some of this setup. I could them in my flower room but don't have room in the veg room. I guess I could make my current veg room a clone/seeding room and just have one room for veg/flower...

Although, I'm not so handy and I'd be terrified of burning my house down :lol:. You have a very nice guide, but I dunno if I trust myself :lol:


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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: RasJeph]
    #602704 - 12/24/11 01:39 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Awesome work man, wish i had found this b4 i bought my 200w sunblaster. Though the sunblaster works great, but cost me $139 lol next time i'll remember this thread...


--------------------
My Tombstone will read: IwasburiedfacedownsoucanallkissmyA$$
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InvisibleDrGreenThumb
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: HempMaster]
    #602893 - 12/26/11 11:57 AM (12 years, 2 months ago)

No problem.

If anyone needs some help setting one of these up, I will be more than happy to help. I just built one for a friend while he watched and then he immediately built another one himself, which fired up perfectly on the first try. :super:


--------------------
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” -Dr. Seuss

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OfflineOrgoneConclusion
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: DrGreenThumb]
    #602933 - 12/26/11 04:31 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

This effectively doubles the amount of power (wattage) to the lights



Ture, but the light output is NOT doubled as the response is nonlinear.

Not knocking you or your ideas, but the reason most people avoid over-driving is that the lamps are less efficient (lower LPW) than HOT5s and the bulb lifespan IS somewhat reduced.

Basically you are getting less light and more heat per watt of electricity used. In other words, a 4 bulb HOT5 will clearly outperform a 2 bulb overdriven T5.

The only possible reason I can think of doing what you are doing is in a case of severe space restriction, but in such a case, heat is usually a big issue.

Edited by OrgoneConclusion (12/26/11 04:37 PM)

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OfflineRasJeph
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: DrGreenThumb]
    #602934 - 12/26/11 04:31 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

As a suggestion, make a youtube video maybe? If you have some extra time, I'm willing to bet it would get a lot of views (see: google adsense) and maybe even make you some money!

I'd repost it on other grow sites linking to your video too...

I have ad sense on my youtube, and I make like $5 a month for stupid videos that people must just accidentally stumble across lol. Yours would actually be meaningful and teach people things :thumbup:


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OfflineOrgoneConclusion
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: DrGreenThumb]
    #602939 - 12/26/11 04:37 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

You run regular 40W T8 bulbs at 80W! This is much more then any 54W T5 setup you might be thinking about buying.




Much more what? A 3 bulb HOT5 using 162 watts vs a 2 bulb overdriven @ 160 watts will have way more lumen output. You have gained nothing that I can tell.

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InvisibleDrGreenThumb
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #602955 - 12/26/11 06:55 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

OrgoneConclusion said:
Quote:

You run regular 40W T8 bulbs at 80W! This is much more then any 54W T5 setup you might be thinking about buying.




Much more what? A 3 bulb HOT5 using 162 watts vs a 2 bulb overdriven @ 160 watts will have way more lumen output. You have gained nothing that I can tell.



A single HOT5 bulb runs at 54W. A single 40W T8 runs at 80W. I don't see what you're getting at. :shrug:

You are trying to compare apples to oranges. BULB FOR BULB OD SHOPLIGHTS HAVE MORE OUTPUT.

A four (4) bulb T5 setup runs at (54W x 4 bulbs)= 216W.
A four (4) bulb T8 setup runs at (80W x 4 bulbs)= 320W.
Is that a little more clear for you?
Besides, the results speak for themselves. :ganja:


--------------------
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” -Dr. Seuss

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OfflineOrgoneConclusion
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: DrGreenThumb]
    #602963 - 12/26/11 08:21 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

I was extremely clear for those who do not have a reading disorder.

Overdriven lights put out less lumens per watt and are thus less efficient than HOT5s. This tranlates to more heat per watt; the opposite of what an indoor grower is trying to accomplish.

The results are not relevant.

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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #602975 - 12/26/11 09:17 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Would be nice to have some links for those of us that don't have a clue about heat per watt.

DrGT, plants grown do look nice.


I have a small space were clones are sexed and seeds are made.
Would be good to kick up the wattage and produce alittle more.
This is all this space will ever be used for.


And just for the record:
T12 =40 watts per bulb
T8 = 32 watts per bulb

At least at the Wal Mart I shop at.


--------------------
Child of the 60's, Tripping ever sence.

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OfflineOrgoneConclusion
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: KaptKid]
    #602983 - 12/26/11 10:46 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Actually it is up to the OP to make his case, but he fails to do so. He did not discover something new nor even pass on a helpful hint.

You may check here. There are many sites that will explain this. Here is the relevant paragraph:

Overdriving fluorescent bulbs is a method of getting more light from each bulb than is normally obtained. It involves taking the light fixture apart and rewiring the insides. Each electronic ballast normally drives either two or four bulbs. The ballasts are then tied together in such a way that a two-bulb ballast now drives a single bulb and a four-bulb ballast drives only two bulbs, sometimes it only drives one. Usually, an extra ballast is put into the fixture and wired into the bulb circuit. For instance, if you have four bulbs in the fixture and they have a four-bulb ballast, this ballast now drives two bulbs and another four-bulb ballast is used to drive the remaining two bulbs. If the directions in this article are carefully followed, this rewiring is not dangerous and the bulbs won’t blow up, they simply become brighter. The bulbs are limited by their design to draw only so much current and no more. If you double the amount of current, you won’t get a bulb that’s two times brighter because the efficiency drops off a bit. So even after the increased current is made available, a bulb driven by a factor of two times its normal supply, only gets 1.7 times brighter.

Put another way; the output of the bulbs does not increase in direct ratio to the amount of power the ballast consumes. The more times you overdrive a fluorescent bulb, the less efficient it becomes, as it is starting to drift out of the bulb's optimal design parameters


Summation: An over-driven 2 bulb unit uses the same power as a 4 bulb unit yet puts out 3.4/4 or 85% of the light. That 15% loss turns up as waste heat.

Like I stated there is NOTHING TO GAIN by overdriving. Nada.

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OfflineRasJeph
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #603006 - 12/27/11 07:07 AM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Lol why do you seem so personally offended by this thread?  :finger:

Its great what you have works well for you, but this is a different way of doing things. Maybe not everything is available to everyone dude.

Chilllllllll. :getstoned:


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InvisibleDrGreenThumb
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #603016 - 12/27/11 08:00 AM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

OrgoneConclusion said:

This tranlates to more heat per watt; the opposite of what an indoor grower is trying to accomplish.




This is how close I run my shoplights. No heat issue here. Can you run your T5's this close? I highly doubt it. Your argument is moot. Many T5's have fans built into the fixture to dissipate heat. No need for that here. During the seedlings first week I don't even use a fan because the light is right on top of them.


Quote:

OrgoneConclusion said:
The results are not relevant.



What the hell was I thinking? You are so right. Obviously results are not relevant to you, I saw your little 3w grow and your flawed and stupid electrocuting your plant experiment. So I really don't give a shit what you have to say. Coming from someone who grows one plant at a time, the last thing I have to do is make my case to a 'wannabe' grower. :cuckoo:


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OfflineHempMaster
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: DrGreenThumb]
    #603024 - 12/27/11 09:06 AM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

DrGreenThumb said:
Quote:

OrgoneConclusion said:

This tranlates to more heat per watt; the opposite of what an indoor grower is trying to accomplish.




This is how close I run my shoplights. No heat issue here. Can you run your T5's this close? I highly doubt it. Your argument is moot. Many T5's have fans built into the fixture to dissipate heat. No need for that here. During the seedlings first week I don't even use a fan because the light is right on top of them.


Quote:

OrgoneConclusion said:
The results are not relevant.



What the hell was I thinking? You are so right. Obviously results are not relevant to you, I saw your little 3w grow and your flawed and stupid electrocuting your plant experiment. So I really don't give a shit what you have to say. Coming from someone who grows one plant at a time, the last thing I have to do is make my case to a 'wannabe' grower. :cuckoo:




I thought his 3w grow was interesting, but totally impractical as each plant needs to be completely covered by his 3w "pot light" that may work for growing one plant, but try that with 18 lol Still, was food for thought.


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OfflineOrgoneConclusion
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: DrGreenThumb]
    #603029 - 12/27/11 11:09 AM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

What the hell was I thinking? You are so right. Obviously results are not relevant to you



Determining the optimal setup with a non-comparative grow is certainly not relevant. This is the basis for all science. I can see where this tenet might be beyond you.

Quote:

So I really don't give a shit what you have to say.



Talking lighting to an electrical engineer and plugging your ears is very telling.

Despite your numerous asides, you have failed to address the facts as I have stated them.

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OfflineOrgoneConclusion
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: DrGreenThumb]
    #603030 - 12/27/11 11:12 AM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

This is how close I run my shoplights. No heat issue here. Can you run your T5's this close?




Once again with the tangents. The math does not lie. I am truly sorry you do not understand the nonlinear light/current response, but disseminating faulty information helps no one.

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OfflineOrgoneConclusion
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: HempMaster]
    #603031 - 12/27/11 11:17 AM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

I thought his 3w grow was interesting, but totally impractical as each plant needs to be completely covered by his 3w "pot light" that may work for growing one plant, but try that with 18 lol Still, was food for thought.




It certainly is not impractical for early vegging. The experiment as it was laid out was hugely successful. The point I made was clear: that huge amounts of power and light are wasted in the early phase.

I flowered one tiny 12" plant with 15 watts and got 11 grams. Not earth-shaking, but everyone said 15 watts was too way too little to flower with.

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OfflineOrgoneConclusion
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: RasJeph]
    #603032 - 12/27/11 11:23 AM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

Its great what you have works well for you, but this is a different way of doing things. Maybe not everything is available to everyone dude.




Science and math works the same for everyone. If one has two fixtures and two ballasts as required to overdrive, then one is deliberately taking the time and effort to make a less efficient lamp than using the two as designed.

If going backwards by reducing light and gaining heat is somehow desirable then go for it - but understand it.

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InvisibleDrGreenThumb
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #603033 - 12/27/11 11:54 AM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

OrgoneConclusion said:
If going backwards by reducing light and gaining heat is somehow desirable then go for it - but understand it.



Let me try to make this easy for you. The light on the left makes MORE light. The light on the right makes LESS light. Heat IS NOT an issue AT ALL!!!


Quote:

OrgoneConclusion said:
I flowered one tiny 12" plant with 15 watts and got 11 grams. Not earth-shaking, but everyone said 15 watts was too way too little to flower with.



You flowered a male dude. What did you get 11 grams of? Trash?:dumbhunter:

Quote:

OrgoneConclusion said:
Despite your numerous asides, you have failed to address the facts as I have stated them.



Wise man once said, "You can't argue with stupid. They'll beat you with experience every time."


--------------------
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” -Dr. Seuss

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OfflineOrgoneConclusion
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: DrGreenThumb] * 1
    #603036 - 12/27/11 12:20 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

Let me try to make this easy for you. The light on the left makes MORE light. The light on the right makes LESS light.



Agreed. Never argued this point at all. Nice strawman. :thumbup:

Does it make twice as much light? No. It makes 1.7 times as much while using twice the wattage. This is like writing an article titled 'How to turn $200 into $170'.

Quote:

Heat IS NOT an issue AT ALL!!!



(Using more than one exclamation point is never correct. It does not make your statement 3 times as valid.)

We are talking at cross purposes. You are stating that heat is not an issue for your particular grow space. Fine. This does not change the fact that the 15% light loss is expressed as heat.

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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #603038 - 12/27/11 12:59 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

OrgoneConclusion said:
Quote:

Let me try to make this easy for you. The light on the left makes MORE light. The light on the right makes LESS light.



Agreed. Never argued this point at all. Nice strawman. :thumbup:

Does it make twice as much light? No. It makes 1.7 times as much while using twice the wattage. This is like writing an article titled 'How to turn $200 into $170'.

Quote:

Heat IS NOT an issue AT ALL!!!



(Using more than one exclamation point is never correct. It does not make your statement 3 times as valid.)

We are talking at cross purposes. You are stating that heat is not an issue for your particular grow space. Fine. This does not change the fact that the 15% light loss is expressed as heat.




no offense man but it sounds to me your trying way to hard to sound smarter than the owner of this thread, i should point out also that 1.7 times something is MORE than the original value, not less. So your example of turning $200 into $170 makes little sense in the way you expressed it.

while he may be using double the wattage to get 1.7 times brighter lights, the lights are brighter, whether he is using twice the wattage is a moot point as he was talking about over driving the bulbs and how to do it.


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my current grow

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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: HempMaster] * 1
    #603054 - 12/27/11 02:47 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Smarter or stupider, the facts remain.

Take two light fixtures with bulbs with each putting out 5000 lumens (as an example) or 10,000 lumens total.

Gut one fixture to put the ballast in the other for a grand total of 8,500 lumens at the same power draw as the 10,000 lumens for a loss of 1,500 lumens less light to grow herb with.

:failboat:

I am beginning to understand the War on Drugs as this is third grade math.

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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #603063 - 12/27/11 04:06 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

OrgoneConclusion said:
Smarter or stupider, the facts remain.

Take two light fixtures with bulbs with each putting out 5000 lumens (as an example) or 10,000 lumens total.

Gut one fixture to put the ballast in the other for a grand total of 8,500 lumens at the same power draw as the 10,000 lumens for a loss of 1,500 lumens less light to grow herb with.

:failboat:

I am beginning to understand the War on Drugs as this is third grade math.




I understand what you mean but he has never been talking about actually using 2 fixtures, just one, with the extra parts from the second he gets an output increase from the single fixture. whys that so hard for you to grasp?

you might consider it a waste when both fixtures combined put out more lumens than a single modified one, but what if he doesn't have space to hang it, or has some other reason for only being able to use 1 fixture?

For someone who thinks their smart your really not that bright. This is  1st grade comprehension.  As you should have considered this possibility before talking crap about what he's done.


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My Tombstone will read: IwasburiedfacedownsoucanallkissmyA$$
my current grow

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OfflineOrgoneConclusion
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: HempMaster] * 1
    #603072 - 12/27/11 05:40 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

you might consider it a waste when both fixtures combined put out more lumens than a single modified one, but what if he doesn't have space to hang it, or has some other reason for only being able to use 1 fixture




Dear Mr. Reading Comprehension:

I already clearly stated this as a possibility; however you are to have me believe that there is a decent-sized audience for those who have a 48" * <12" grow space. Hell, I would wager the OP also does not fit in this non-existent category, but posted it mistakenly believing he was gaining something else.

I think it wrong-headed to steer others into an inferior method and you guys get upset that an engineer with many years in the industry points out the flaws.

I thought this forum was about education not applauding silliness.

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InvisibleStonethM
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: HempMaster]
    #603074 - 12/27/11 05:46 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

WOW what a thread.
OrgoneConclusion  is talking facts.
It doesn't make much since to double the power of the bulb for less than 1/4 return in light.  I agree with this.

Not saying that some such as the OP aren't getting what they feel they want from their light.  Just wouldn't make me happy.

Why you ask?  It's simple do the math, other than start up cost what point is there to overdrive the bulbs.

You take four overdriving bulbs at like 80 watt a piece which is 320 watts and they still don't match up to a 250 MH or HPS.

And that same 250 watt MH or HPS runs cooler.

However I understand not everyone has the money to start off HID lights.


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:getstoned:

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OfflineHempMaster
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #603076 - 12/27/11 05:55 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

OrgoneConclusion said:
Quote:

I thought this forum was about education not applauding silliness.




Well he is educating those who want to know how to over drive a single shop light fixture, though personally if i was going to do this i would just buy a single fixture and buy the second ballast at my local surplus electronics store, since its cheaper than buying another whole unit to just get the ballast.

But, everyone's entitled to their own opinion. I'm sure some will find this info useful.


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My Tombstone will read: IwasburiedfacedownsoucanallkissmyA$$
my current grow

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InvisibleAlounacara
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: Stoneth]
    #603133 - 12/27/11 10:33 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Here is a nicer better way of settling this argument..
I have to hang a few 4ft shop lights this week so i will have the covers off of several of them.

If the overdriven T8 light is on par with a the lumens produced by a T5 then maybe its better to go with a overdriven T8 bulb

#1 I will take an actual amp draw before and after said conversion

#2 I will see with my own eyes how much brighter an overdriven fixture is compared with a t5 ho 2 bulb fixture

#3 I have many years experiance with using flouros for just about any application

#4 I attended an ITT Industrial Electrical course back in `83 so i is very educatid

#5 I really think its probably better to upgrade your ballast to a HO rather than add an extra ballast. It probably cost only $10 more per ballast.
Your amp draw is very important also unless you live at home and mama is paying the electric bill:stonedjerk:

#6 Settle the fuck down and start acting like adults in here, this isnt the Thunderdome:crankey:

Thanks in advance:heart:


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You never see a motorcycle parked outside a psychiatrist office
Texas is humongus compared to France
Our Gair, who art in Texas,
Paw Paw be thy Name..

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OfflineHempMaster
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: Alounacara]
    #603138 - 12/27/11 11:11 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

#6 Settle the fuck down and start acting like adults in here, this isnt the Thunderdome:crankey:




Settle down? LOL Act like adults? LOL

Sorry i found that rather funny.


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My Tombstone will read: IwasburiedfacedownsoucanallkissmyA$$
my current grow

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OfflineOrgoneConclusion
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: HempMaster]
    #603143 - 12/27/11 11:59 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Yeah, where is the fun in that? :shakefist:

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InvisibleAlounacara
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: OrgoneConclusion] * 1
    #603146 - 12/28/11 12:34 AM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Being our bigshot electrical engineer made me think that maybe you knew what the fuck you were talking about?

I guess i was wrong in that assumption:stonedjerk:

What it all adds up to is amp draw vs lumens:rules:
Its important to me because i am fixing to purchase a 6 or 8 bulb T5 HO fixture for sproating young plants.

If by chance i can simply add another ballast using T8 bulbs and get the same or better lumens than the T5`s then your argument is just a bunch of crap.

What it all boils down to is if you dont experiment with it and actually put your eyes and amp probe on it then you you are just a slack jaw idiot.

Typing big words on this forum just makes me do the happy ha has:derfase:


You guys fight worse than 15 yr old boys at a salt n pepper dance:oldman:


--------------------
You never see a motorcycle parked outside a psychiatrist office
Texas is humongus compared to France
Our Gair, who art in Texas,
Paw Paw be thy Name..

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InvisibleDrGreenThumb
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: Stoneth] * 1
    #603158 - 12/28/11 07:25 AM (12 years, 2 months ago)

You still don't get it do you?

What it boils down to is LUMENS PER FOOT.
Is this shop light BRIGHTER than that shop light? YES.
This means that the light is also more INTENSE which means shorter internode spacing and faster GROWTH.

My veg closet is 3 shoplights wide. I couldn't fit 6 shoplights in there. Even is I could, the light would be more spread out = less intense.

Quote:

Stoneth said:
It doesn't make much since to double the power of the bulb for less than 1/4 return in light.  I agree with this.



Orgone already stated that I was ONLY getting 1.7X the amount of light. That equals 70% more light, not 1/4 more light, which would be 25%.

That being said, I could really give two shits whether or not I'm losing a little efficiency. The fact remains that I gain much more light.
I'm trying to keep a 2000W flowering room fed with plants in the space I have to work with. This does it VERY WELL. An extra $10 on my power bill is the least of my problems. If I was trying to SAVE electricity I wouldn't be Overdriving my lights. Get it?

As far as a 250W HPS running cooler? It doesn't. I tried.
Put a 250W in this closet and the temps rise to unacceptable levels, even with a fan. Plus you have to keep it RAISED to get any sort of coverage. This makes for longer internode spacing which is the opposite of what I am trying to achieve. I can run 3 OD shoplights in the same closet WITHOUT a fan, right on top of the plants, and cover the whole closet.

I see how this is can be confusing for an electrical engineer who has a 3 Watt flowering room. Some of us are trying to grow weed here. I'd love to stay and chat but the lights just came on and I have girls to tend too.:gethigh:


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“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” -Dr. Seuss

Edited by DrGreenThumb (12/28/11 10:28 AM)

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OfflineHempMaster
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #603183 - 12/28/11 02:19 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

OrgoneConclusion said:
Yeah, where is the fun in that? :shakefist:




Well its amusing to me as its obvious some take this way to seriously.


--------------------
My Tombstone will read: IwasburiedfacedownsoucanallkissmyA$$
my current grow

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OfflineOrgoneConclusion
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: HempMaster]
    #603191 - 12/28/11 03:18 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

I was dissed!


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OfflineChapter 4

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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: OrgoneConclusion]
    #603517 - 01/01/12 10:51 AM (12 years, 2 months ago)

this thread is a riot. 

one guy talking about how double the juice doesnt equal double the output, and he is right.

otehr talking about simply getting more output per surface area adn not caring about additional power use/efficiency. 

and neither getting it at all.

classic  :facepalm3:

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InvisibleHawksresurrection
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Re: Overdriven Shoplights!!! (Before you buy a T5 READ THIS) [Re: Chapter 4]
    #603705 - 01/02/12 07:28 PM (12 years, 2 months ago)

Quote:

Chapter 4 said:
this thread is a riot. 

one guy talking about how double the juice doesnt equal double the output, and he is right.

otehr talking about simply getting more output per surface area adn not caring about additional power use/efficiency. 

and neither getting it at all.

classic  :facepalm3:




--------------------
Dude she isn't as young as she use to be.

-niteowl

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