Lightproofing round passive intake holes

[Batboy]

I know that this is probably really easy for you DIYers out there, but I am not one of you. My cab has 2 6" round passive intake holes and I will probably end up drilling some 3" holes as well. Do you have any advice or can you point me to any threads that have some detailed advice on how to lightproof them?

I've heard of using PVC piping, but the 6" stuff is huge and heavy, and I have no idea how to secure the pieces to each other or to the cab. I nearly picked up rubber cement, but then I started thinking that it might be a fire hazard or have fumes that are not plant-friendly. I'm sure that my local Lowes has everything that I need, I just need someone to guide me to buy the right stuff and install it correctly.

Thanks

 

[Hella THC]

Hmmm, 6" PVC is going to be bitch to work with, like you said.

Do you need those 6" holes? I would say more smaller holes would be better, and easier to light proof.

Any way you can post some pics of what you're working with?

 

[guest]

You can use a 6 in hole............I would install a 6" back draft damper and a bugnet with a carbon insert in that hole. You will leak very little light only when the passive air intake is open.

 

[Owl Mirror]

This may help you
http://www.ssxray.com/pdf/sscatg12.pdf
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=113132

 

[~fvk~]

The round louvers suck, you'd need like 4 6" ones to equal one non restricted 6" passive intake. The 12x24 inch darkroom vent is what you need for two passive 6 inch intakes, but since you already got the holes cut, let's make this simple. Use 3 6 inch ducting elbows, along with some rigid straight duct, in the same fashion PVC light traps are built. Know what I mean?

 

[Batboy]

Thanks all for the replies so far.

You can use a 6 in hole............I would install a 6" back draft damper and a bugnet with a carbon insert in that hole. You will leak very little light only when the passive air intake is open.

Eventually my fan will run all the time, so I don't think that a backdraft damper will solve the light problem.

The round louvers suck, you'd need like 4 6" ones to equal one non restricted 6" passive intake. The 12x24 inch darkroom vent is what you need for two passive 6 inch intakes, but since you already got the holes cut, let's make this simple. Use 3 6 inch ducting elbows, along with some rigid straight duct, in the same fashion PVC light traps are built. Know what I mean?

I've read from several people that the round louvers kill airflow and are basically worthless, so forget that. I don't even own a saw capable of cutting straight lines necessary for the square/rectangle louvers, so forget that. All I've got are 6" and 3" hole saws.

I don't know what you mean about PVC light traps and I'm not sure I understand what you are suggesting; but I am damned interested! Can you please elaborate and keep in mind that if you say something like "connect 2 pvc pieces. . . ." my response will be "connect with what? tape, glue. . . ?" Just thought you should know what you are dealing with

 

[~fvk~]

My paint skills are shit dude. But those are 3 90 degree elbows, along with 2 short pieces of rigid ducting cut down to size. You wont have to use tape or glue, they'll piece into each other.

 

[Batboy]

Great drawing fvk, I see what you are doing there. I didn't know that PVC pieces fit together snuggly, I thought that you needed some bonding agent. How do you recommend affixing the PVC to the hole in the cab?

 

[salgjkhaf]

stay away from the pvc glue. not only does in stink like hell, but im sure there are things in that glue u dont want anywhere near your girls. and like dude said its (and its friggin pvc pipe) they SNUG! together. perfectly fine without pvc glue

 

[Hella THC]

My paint skills are shit dude. But those are 3 90 degree elbows, along with 2 short pieces of rigid ducting cut down to size. You wont have to use tape or glue, they'll piece into each other.

Oh rofl, that's some funny shit, dude! Graphic design run in your family or something?

 

[BLUNToPOTomuss]

Great drawing fvk, I see what you are doing there. I didn't know that PVC pieces fit together snuggly, I thought that you needed some bonding agent. How do you recommend affixing the PVC to the hole in the cab?

yeah PVC elbow fit together nicley!

all you have to do is open up the to your cab by about 1/32-1/16 of an inch. "Spin" the elbow into the hole, connect your other 90* parts and when you have it setup like you like just add a bit of caulking around the outside edge of the elbow where it joins the cab.

Also you want to be sure to put some form of screen on your intakes to thwart lint from clogging you scrubber.

Good luck!!!

 

[Batboy]

all you have to do is open up the to your cab by about 1/32-1/16 of an inch.
Good luck!!!

What do you mean by this?

How much larger does the hole need to be over the PVC? The 3" PVC piece that I have is waaay too big for the 3" hole I cut with the holesaw.

 

[Phillthy]

The round louvers suck, you'd need like 4 6" ones to equal one non restricted 6" passive intake. The 12x24 inch darkroom vent is what you need for two passive 6 inch intakes...

right on. they work wonders. round holes are more difficult to cut too once you approach 6 inches.

 

[~fvk~]

What do you mean by this?

How much larger does the hole need to be over the PVC? The 3" PVC piece that I have is waaay too big for the 3" hole I cut with the holesaw.

He means having the intakes in your cab cut slightly larger than the elbow, and then working it in there. You want to have as tight as a fit as possible, just keep slowly making it larger until it just barely fits. Measure the outer diameter of the PVC to get an idea of how much you have left to go.

 

[PurpleBud]

You might try spaying some flat black paint on the inside of the pvc pipe. Flat black paint reflects very little light. Just a thought. I hope it works out for you.

Keep it green

Purple