Cooling HPS lights in very confined space?

MGB508

Active Member
So, i've decided to embark on a micro stealth grow within a computer case. I know this is very confining yeild wise, and to get the most out of such a small space, i would like to use a small HPS in lue of CFLs. I found this kit for a 70watt home security HPS from homedepot. My concern is that it will get too hot inside the computer. I plan to build my own cool tube of sorts. I have an old power supply laying around, with built in intake and exhaust fans. By making the bottom of the power supply a glass panel, and sealing it from the grow chamber, i was thinking it might work.


So my first question is, if i keep the light in its own independantly air cooled chamber, do you think it would stay cool enough?

And secondly, (assuming its feasible to get that light cooled and functioning) if the grow chamber itself is cooled and filtered seperatly, how close to that glass divider could the plants get before they get burned? Would it be simply a matter of venitlation and keeping temps down? Or would i need to leave alot of room for the radiant heat to avoid burns?

The First picture is of a swinging mount for a powersupply, i plan to mount the light to that hinged mount.
The last picture is of a slide out drawer for expansion cards, i plan to use it as a removable chamber for either the soil or if i go hydro then for the water. Its good for about 3inches of depth, which i figure is enough for a small plant.
 

Attachments

tehjugulator

Active Member
Cool idea with the computer case. My advice isn't the best, but I've been reading the GrowFAQ all day, so I'll try. I think that putting the light and the plant in separate chambers is probably the best way to go. However, you'll need a separate fan for each chamber. I'm pretty sure that somewhere there's a way to calculate how powerful the fan should be for the space involved, but I have no idea how. Good luck, I might actually try the computer case idea just for the novelty of it.
 

MGB508

Active Member
Hey guys,
Just leaving an update.

Its been hard to find time amidst school and work, but im still working on it.

After alot of reading and browsing these forums i've decided for such a small grow the best bet is to keep this whole thing as simple and elegant as i can.
Since i want to avoid soil because of slow growth, but i dont want to have a uber complicated Hydro system, i've been looking into wick systems. Anyone have any thoughts on these?
 

tehjugulator

Active Member
Hey guys,
Just leaving an update.

Its been hard to find time amidst school and work, but im still working on it.

After alot of reading and browsing these forums i've decided for such a small grow the best bet is to keep this whole thing as simple and elegant as i can.
Since i want to avoid soil because of slow growth, but i dont want to have a uber complicated Hydro system, i've been looking into wick systems. Anyone have any thoughts on these?
Dunno much about wick system. I thought that they were a type of hydro systems. In my (not very educated) opinion you should suck it up and just use soil. GROWFAQ

Good luck, keep us updated.
 
Top