Niggles Cabinet Upgrade Version 2.0

This build is the improvement of a successful grow cab. When I built it I was building with very meger supplies. I will not be able to grow for a while so I plan on upgrading the cab as far as I can take it. There is a lot of work and I will be posting picture heavy. This first post will be of the cabinet as it last was, as well I will outline my goals and projects for this Cabinet. I loved the last grow in the Cabinet but I feel I could get more out of it.

I will totally upgrading the lights by adding two 45watt cfl bulbs to the top canopy and 4 15w florescent bulbs that run horizontally in pairs, the bulbs will have a screen to keep the leaves off and yet can be removed for when the plant goes from veg to bloom. With more lights will come more heat so I will upgrade; the air filter, the filters fans, the canopy cool zone fans and a small permanent fan to hit the plants.

I like the idea of a drawer to pull the plant out, it will have a raised screen in the tray to keep the fabric bag of the floor. To further improve the efficiency I will build a small 1 gallon water reservoir with an air stone and drip system. The biggest project will be to replace the door which means new hinges, adding security, dealing with light leaks, and eventually painting it black. All the wiring for the ballasts, fans, transformers, accessories, are wired to plugs that will connect to the electrical brain which has 4 timers and 7 power bars that will allow for total adjust-ability for everything.

These are the only pictures I have left from the original build as I delete them for security reasons:






Heres a rundown of my to do list:

Upgrade top Lights
-( five keyless mini bases )
-( build brace to better support the lights)
- ( smooth canopy for reflector)
- ( paint the canopy white)

Install four 18" T8 bulbs horizontally
-( four grow Bulbs))
-( two electronic ballasts )
-( mesh protection )
-( connection box )
-( door harness disconnect )

Install added air ventilation
-( air duck )
-( install one small computer fan for a stronger plant )
-( install an added fan for light cooling)

Install pull out shelving for false floor
-( build new scrog screen)
-( water proof floor tray )
-( install grill to raise pot off the tray )

Install new wall surface to smooth out panda paper
-( glue cardboard over sound deadening to smooth out walls )
-( rebuild wall for electrical )
-( new panda paper)

Rebuild new security door
-( new hinges )
-( security lock )
-( new plywood door )
-( fix any light leaks )-( order more sound proofing for door)
Install transformers
-( 1 for light cooling )
-( 1 for air purification )
-( 1 for cab plant fans )

build a new water reservoir
-( new container)
-( external water pump)
-( air pump with air stones)
-( drip system to plant)
-( digital timer)

improve main air purifier
-( increase filter surface area )
-( new carbon and filter material)
-( 120mm fan )

Today's Project!

Install four 18" T12 bulbs horizontally
-( two grow Bulbs)
-( two flower bulbs )
-( two electronic ballasts )

Install added air ventilation
- ( air duck )


I will separate the steps in post. first thing I did was install a vent that will be a passive intake.


Next was the Electronic T8 Transformers, the utility box. I marked the transformers Veg and bloom, which will perspective use green and red tape.



After this was installing the two bulb bases which was quite exciting to see installed. The bulbs are straddling a 1x3 that runs across the back. The bulbs will be replaced with bloom bulbs come time for switching.

Todays Project Cont.!

Once the major electrical components were in place I began securing and installing the wiring harness.

I first used a plastic wire protector to wrap any exposed wire in the back of the cabinet. Note I began color coding the sets of wires before starting the plastic wrap.


Once that was all done, I wrapped that in electrical tape to finish it off. I added a teaser of the utility box cover on.



With those safe I began my work on the wiring harness. Note all the walls will be covered with a layer of panda paper, and the cover to the forced air intake will be replaced. as well the wires heading to the door will need a way to disconnect in case i ever chose the remove the door.





Here is a pair teaser pics of the bulbs in, you can see how I will run the wires, keep in mind there will be only one wire running along the horizontal distance



With that prepped i secured the harness at the back. the same technique was used as previously shown.




Even though the door wires need a form of disconnect i prepped the part of the harness that will be exposed over the hinged corner.

Today's project cont.

Didn't get much more done but wired up the fluorescent bulb bases:

are you only gonna have 2 lights ?

No there will be a total of 9 lights

5x45 watt cfl bulbs in the canopy
4x15 watt florescent along the walls.

So I got a bunch more done on the cabinet after a visit to the hardware and computer supply store.

I got the wiring harness finished after the transformer.


With the harness finish I installed the cover over the intake.


Then I installed the new fan to keep the bulbs cool. I still need to wire them to a transformer.



I also installed the new mini lift sockets and the brace, I need to wire this all up.



Sorry for the weird angle

I've wired up 2 new 120mm computer fans along with one smaller fan. as well i wired to small extension cords into the wall at the future site of the water reservoir. with the wiring done i glued cardboard to the walls to smooth it out for the panda paper, the duct tape is purely to hide the seems, the panels are glued inplace. its not much to look at right now but i do have some pictures to share.

i ended up removing the mylar as shown earlier mentioned and shown but that left a gross angle and glue job, so i ended up smoothing that out with plastic wood and have just finished the first coat of white paint.





I used an old garbage can to mock up the water reservoir, and mocked up the supports for the sliding floor.



the false wall hiding the electrical, not much but i dont need to build much.


and here are the fans for the carbon filter but they need to be pushed back to support the carbon filter so it doesnt affect the lights.

I'm excited got more done and they are important ones.

Small but useful project i got the reservior almost ready, just need to paint it and its ready to pump water, I am looking at a way to add more lines for if I have more then one plant. There is a small pump, an air stone, and a thermostat sensor ,coming threw the lid. the sensor will send a signal to the remote unit so i can monitor the water temp to make sure its not getting too hot.



finished the sliding floor, just need to paint and mount the screen to keep fabric pots from sitting in water. the black stuff is a waterproofing material to keep any run off from the plants within the drawer and keep it from dripping and damaging the cab.



Also I got the doors fabricated and mounted, they still need alot of work but they are on. the doors still need the lights, the handles, the locks, light proofing, and to be painted. the doors are cut so that i can open the plant side without the electrical exposed, the larger door will have the main keyed lock allowing it to open first exposing the plants, while the smaller door will have the bolt lock keeping the electrical hidden at all times. ps the doors are even but the large one was hanging open causing the effect.

Upgrade top Lights
-( five keyless mini bases )
-( build brace to better support the lights)
- ( smooth canopy for reflector)
- ( paint the canopy white)

Install four 18" T12 bulbs horizontally
-( two grow Bulbs) (1/2 done)
-( two flower bulbs ) (1/2 done)
-( two electronic ballasts )
-( mesh protection )
-( connection box )
-( door harness disconnect )

Install added air ventilation
-( air duck )
-( install two small comp fans )
-( install an added fan for light cooling)

Install pull out shelving for false floor
-( water proof floor tray )
-( install grill to raise pot off the tray )

Install new wall surface to smooth out panda paper
-( glue cardboard over sound deadening to smooth out walls )
-( rebuild curtain for electrical )
-( new panda paper)

Rebuild new security door
-( new hinges )
-( security lock )
-( new plywood door )
-( fix any light leaks )

Install transformers
-( 1 for light cooling )
-( 1 for air purification )
-( 1 for cab plant fans )

build a new water reservoir
-( new container)
-( external water pump)
-( air pump with air stones)
-( drip system to plant)


improve main air purifier
-( increase filter surface area )
-( new carbon and filter material)
-( 120mm fan )

build new scrog screen


and now to the pictures

here is the finished sliding floor, I will be taping the rough edges with the metalic tape.


next I installed the door security.




and then i finished the day off with starting the wiring on the door for the lights.
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