Is this safe?

High on the moon

High on the moon

Member
Hello,

I'm building my first grow cab, and was wondering if I wired my CFL's together right. I got an extension cord cut one end off, striped the outside cover, and everywhere there was a screw I striped either the black or white wire and hooked The exposed wire around the screw. Is this correct, and safe. I'm building a CFL hood with 8 lights, four per side, hopefully all eight will fit on to the one cord. Not trying to burn the house down, LOL. Thanks for any input, and help.

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Serapis

Serapis

Well-Known Member
That looks OK to me. I'd be concerned about the wire not being wrapped, but if lights are stable, ok. You can also use cheap multi socket bathroom vanity strips. Just wire the fixture and you have 4-5 sockets all built in and stable.
 
High on the moon

High on the moon

Member
So instead of hooking the wire I should jut loop it around the screw? I thought about the vanity strip but the width of my light box needs to be less then 24". Thanks.
 
S

scotch

Member
Use solid wire (romex) and strip off about 1/2 inch. Then make a loop with the exposed wire to fit under the screws. all will be fine so long as the lights are mounted and there is no way for them to shift and short out.
 
wonderblunder

wonderblunder

Well-Known Member
This would all certainly depend on the wires rating and the total amount of CFL wattage/ amps. Clearly you could put 150w cfls in there which I doubt you are, but its always good to know. Romex is good stuff...
 
IAm5toned

IAm5toned

Well-Known Member
High on the moon said:
Hello,

I'm building my first grow cab, and was wondering if I wired my CFL's together right. I got an extension cord cut one end off, striped the outside cover, and everywhere there was a screw I striped either the black or white wire and hooked The exposed wire around the screw. Is this correct, and safe. I'm building a CFL hood with 8 lights, four per side, hopefully all eight will fit on to the one cord. Not trying to burn the house down, LOL. Thanks for any input, and help.

.View attachment 1062254View attachment 1062255
Click to expand...
its fine.
ive seen prettier, but yours will work fine, as long as all your connections are tight.
 
High on the moon

High on the moon

Member
The box I'm making have 8 42watt CFL's, which is 336 watts. I hooked those up to one 16 gauge cord rated at 13 Amps-125v, and 1625 max watts.
 
S

scotch

Member
If "hooked" was meant to be past tense then I wouldn't get upset over it. If not then I would go with 14 or maybe even 12. your grow is not going to get any smaller and for 10 cents a foot go with the bigger wire. That said I am sure your outlet and in house wiring are only rated for 15amp so it's not like its a big deal.
 
S

smoker0

Member
Srap that idea! go to home depot ond buy those sockets the plug directley into powerstip and use those velcro strips that glue on the back of the powerstrip and affix to the top of your cabinet inside.I use 2 strips with 3 sockets on each and have 6 -42 watt cfls. I am growing afghani in a kitchen cabinet and cousin buisness is a boomin!!!
 
High on the moon

High on the moon

Member
I used those plug in sockets already, the bulbs are way to heavy. I then tried to use plastic zip ties to hold the bulb, but the heat stretched it. Plus I have it hanging from a chain and the power strip isn't evenly balanced so that moves to much. Custom box is the only option, but not trying to start a fire with it.
 
Zcomfort

Zcomfort

Active Member
If it was me which it was about 2 years ago. I would get an 2x4 thats about 2' long and drill four quater inch to inch holes evenly down the board. Then I would cut about a foot for each hot and neutral lead and pull them through the wholes. Screw your fixture into the 2x4, and pig tail them to your power cord.
 
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