Is anyone using magnetic cfl light fittings?

[ScrubNinja]

I was thinking for my next PC case, which is going to be a large server case, I could wire a whole bunch of household light fittings in parallel and stick super strong magnets to the light fittings. The grow chamber could be all metal allowing me a LOT of flexibility and adjustability with the placement of the lights. One thought is that there would be a lot of stress on the wires where they're usually used to a static position in your roof or wherever.

Is anyone doing anything along these lines or perhaps some other form of "re-arrangeable" lighting? Pics would be great if you are. Cheers!

 

[swurv]

I AM NOT AN ELECTRICIAN.

Thought I'd get that outta the way. But I have taken high school physics and I think maybe a 'strong' magnet might affect the built in ballast right under it or the flow of electricity through the wires. magnetism + electricity= bad, right?

Like, I was wondering actually if a strong magnetic door lock right in front of where my ballast is expected to be might be a bad idea for this reason....anyone got more info on this? Do strong magnets affect the remote HID ballast or the built-in CFL one?

 

[d4.]

Hanging your lights with magnets doesn't sound very safe.

 

[ScrubNinja]

d4, hah, well, a bunch of stoners growing weed in their computers didn't exactly seem safe to me on my first viewing of this forum, but I see that things can be done safely. I don't have scales but I just held my light fitting and cfl bulb and they're very very light. I don't think there'd be any danger, personally, especially considering a pc case doesn't get jostled around much. But rest assured I wouldn't do anything around electricity if I didn't consider it safe.

swurv, that's interesting. I did kind of think about that, but then I thought "naaaah, it couldn't affect it....could it?". Anyone?

 

[d4.]

CFL's can't be too bad, but I was referring more to "swurv"'s post about the HID ballast. I wouldn't trust a magnet to save my life, especially not hanging my 15-20 pound ballast. If I'm, not mistaken, my 250W MH ballast has a giant magnet in it already, so maybe it might affect it?

You can grow anywhere if you wire your electricity properly .