CFL Light help for an amatuer.

[usualsuspect609]

Thinking about starting a CFL grow with probably 8 26W CFl 6500 K bulbs. My question is, rather than wiring up my own contraption, can i use the 'y' adapters and adapters to plug bulbs into a socket and run them all of one power strip or surge protector strip.

Example:
__________________________
I I I I
/\ /\ /\ /\
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Will I have a problem running 8 lights on this setup? Any help appreciated.

 

[cnymoeman]

Yeah that's what most people do....Your talking about hanging a surge protector over the plants and putting the Y socket into the light socket and then putting them into the surge protector right?? If so yeah works great...Alot of people hang it from a chain so they can raise and lower it when they need to....

 

[diemdepyro]

There is some cfl lights(high power) that do not have ballast included. yours at 26 watts seem fine.

 

[homegrwn]

you can buy the bathroom vanity bar its like 20 bucks they use the splitters and get eight bulbs per strip... i used a surge protector and got six per unit.... they are 6500k then your good... no lower tha 26 watt though... and swith most to 2700 k at flowering.. or whatever the lowest rating you can get is....check out my complete grow im 4 weeks into flowering right now! currently i drop in four extension cords like shandaliers and the two splitters makes a glob effect with the bulbs on like the round sun LOL

 

[usualsuspect609]

Thanks for the replies. Yeah thats the setup I was talking about, I just see alot of people wiring stuff together. The surge protector idea just seemed so obvious but i havent seen 8 lights run off of one. Another question: Can i mix 42W CFL's with the 26W bulbs, and if so will the change in heat from different bulbs burn the plants, causing me to keep the bulbs farther away from the plants than i would be able to with all 26W bulbs?

 

[cnymoeman]

42watts will put off more heat...DO you have a fan on your plants??? Also the more light the better it's just a question of keeping the temps in check...

 

[usualsuspect609]

42watts will put off more heat...DO you have a fan on your plants??? Also the more light the better it's just a question of keeping the temps in check...

They are gonna be in my closet, which has louvre doors. Will I be alright getting a medium size fan and keeping it outside the closet blowing upwards through the slotted doors and onto the plants and lights?

 

[homegrwn]

They are gonna be in my closet, which has louvre doors. Will I be alright getting a medium size fan and keeping it outside the closet blowing upwards through the slotted doors and onto the plants and lights?

sure its not stealth but if you have people over just move it... i have 40 watters and three of them right now... i use the t12 for great addition lighting 14000 lums a set... dont worry abou heat just keep the thermomiter at or below 80. Air will keep the stems moving making them stronger for holding that great sticky suprise

 

[cnymoeman]

You should have a fan blowing on the plants at all times...It strengths the stems and roots and helps keep the heat down if its in the area...