PL-L lights ( after reading the PLL thread ) question.

[wrekstar]

Hello all, recently i've made threads about LED'S and t5's thinking i could get good bang for my buck but then on my thread someone told me to go onto the ' PLL THREAD ' after reading the first 10 pages ( still reading now! ) I think they are what I will go with.

- More lumen per watt compared to CFL's
- Cheaper than CFL's and other lighting with replacable bulbs being cheap too
- Run cool, only need for a tiny exhaust like a comp fan
- Provide good results especially in a SCROG
- Do not need fan noise like an LED
- Proven track record in flowering unlike t5's

I have a few questions though.

1 . I live in the UK and instead of wiring anything up I would like to buy a pre-built fixture.. ' HTG SUPPLY ' do one but at 120v and our mains are at 240v.. I will have a extension lead with two computer fans and about 110w of this running of it if i choose PL-L's and that will be connected to a heavy duty timer.. would i need some kind of voltage changer ?? :S

2 . Growing one - two plants ( maybe auto's or maybe 12/12 ) I would just be looking at an OZ or less of each ( 20-30g ) would this light be sufficent or this? ' http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-HTG-Supply-2-Foot-2-Lamp-PL-55-Tek-Lamp.asp#
I would also like to know how many inches can i place this above the plant, and what bulbs i should get? its cheap i guess.. IS THEIR ANY PLACE IN UK I CAN GET THESE TYPE OF FIXTURES?

3 . With this fixture being at 120v and saying it take 55w pl-l's does that mean i can buy my own light for it? such as those ' osram ' ones ithink?

Sorry for all the questions, just like the idea of these lights
I am researching myself but with questions like these i can research to an extent of asking anyways.

thanks

 

[wrekstar]

2g11 fixture's right? i've been loooking everywhereand i cant find them.

 

[wrekstar]

My wiring and electrical work is not good
so if anyone can go step by step or show me a good guide to wire these ( IF I DONT GET THE FIXTURE ) please do.

 

[rives]

You should check out the kits from these people - they might be a bit more spendy than putting together all of the components yourself, but they are incredibly complete and use a great reflector. They have international voltage ballasts available, but the shipping charges look pretty ugly. I have bought 7 of their 2x55 watt kits so far, and can attest to their quality. I built one fixture with 330 watts, use another 110 watts for supplementing an led fixture, and 110 watts on my bonsai mom's. I am in the process of building a hybrid PL-L/LED fixture that will use 220 watts along with about 120 Osram 660 nm led's. Their directions are very good.

http://www.ahsupply.com/

 

[wrekstar]

You should check out the kits from these people - they might be a bit more spendy than putting together all of the components yourself, but they are incredibly complete and use a great reflector. They have international voltage ballasts available, but the shipping charges look pretty ugly. I have bought 7 of their 2x55 watt kits so far, and can attest to their quality. I built one fixture with 330 watts, use another 110 watts for supplementing an led fixture, and 110 watts on my bonsai mom's. I am in the process of building a hybrid PL-L/LED fixture that will use 220 watts along with about 120 Osram 660 nm led's. Their directions are very good.

http://www.ahsupply.com/

Thanks bro, but this bit put me of..

' Shipping outside the U.S. is normally by Priority Mail International or Express Mail International and the customer is responsible for any duty, taxes and/or brokerage fee '

 

[420ish]

you should have no problem finding these lights in uk.i did a google search on pll light uk and got a ton of hits.these lights are less common in us then in europe.wiring is easy.i built a few light fixtures and cabinets with fulham workhorse 8 ballasts

 

[wrekstar]

yeah i can find them
i just need a way how to wire them
how to wire the ballast, connect it to what
everything like that
the bulbs are only £8-9 anyways

 

[420ish]

the thread name is Wiring TG11 Socket Remote CFL lamps

 

[wrekstar]

thanks bro
but i dont understand the ' ballast ' wiring

 

[Harry Gypsna]

Wrekstar, the growshops I know sell lights like that are Growell, and Hydrohobby.
The ballast is just the little transormer box that makes the lamps work.
If you did decide to buy all the parts-you would get help to wire it up here, take some pics(Or make diagrams in paint) of the stuff you buy-with all the termials clearly shown -with writing/markings visible. Post in the pl thread and one of the electrical wizards will be able to help you.
Im getting my veg pls from national lamps and components. Check them out
You can also look at aquarium lighting for the pl fixtures--arcadia make some I know for sure.

 

[wrekstar]

Wrekstar, the growshops I know sell lights like that are Growell, and Hydrohobby.
The ballast is just the little transormer box that makes the lamps work.
If you did decide to buy all the parts-you would get help to wire it up here, take some pics(Or make diagrams in paint) of the stuff you buy-with all the termials clearly shown -with writing/markings visible. Post in the pl thread and one of the electrical wizards will be able to help you.
Im getting my veg pls from national lamps and components. Check them out
You can also look at aquarium lighting for the pl fixtures--arcadia make some I know for sure.

thanks bro, no worries now though
i found the fixture
in the UK it doesnt come up as ' PL-L fixtures ' or anything
so i search for 2x55w light, and progapation lights came up

 

[Voidling]

They do get hot. Maybe not hps hot but 3 of them put my bedroom uncomfortably hot, left my window open all winter. Got infested with bugs

 

[RomulusUSA]

I'm running 3 Workhorse 8 220w ballasts with 9 PL-L 55w tubes. My ~12x12 room stays around 79* with an exhaust fan cycling every now and then. I may consider remote mounting the ballasts in the summer, we'll see how the AC keeps up with all the other lighting too.