Stupid lighting question - New Growers - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

w3weasel · 04-09-2010, 04:09 PM

I'm trying to design my first smallish-cabinet.

I found This Mogul Base CFL that has awesome specs for the cost... but I'm sure it needs a ballast.

I'm not worried about wiring it up, but I cannot find any info on the ballast type to use with this bulb!

HALP MEH WIF YER KNOWLEGE!

FreezerBoy · 04-09-2010, 08:15 PM

It's ballast is built in to the lamp.

Not a CFL guy but, most here seem to avoid the larger CFLs and go with 20-40 watters. I'd look into that. Maybe CFLKing or Thundurkel...

w3weasel · 04-09-2010, 08:52 PM

actually, it doesn't have a built in ballast... i did finally find the proper fixture here

it's got a digital ballast in the hood. Unfortunately, nobody sells just a plain old ballast.

I'm under the assumption that 1 60 watt fluorescent would put out (slightly) less heat than 3 20 watt bulbs due to a single ballast and associated resistances.

I'll dig around and see if i can find a reason why smaller is better but I am going to assume its price... Tough to beat 69 watts of daylight bulb for $7

Thanks again for all your help FreezerBoy! You've helped me a lot so far and I'm getting my project narrowed down pretty well. I'll probably have another, much smaller cabinet proposal for review later today or tomorrow.

FreezerBoy · 04-09-2010, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w3weasel

actually, it doesn't have a built in ballast...

D'oh! I really thought all CFLs came with ballast. Learn somethin new everyday.

I think the preference towards small lamps is they provide multi points of light rather than one, makes for more even coverage. Heat and efficiency may enter into it as well. Again, look to true CFLers for clues.

gdbud · 04-09-2010, 09:25 PM

If the bulb has a mogul base is it really a compact?

tube dude · 04-10-2010, 12:35 AM

Those bulbs are huge! I would rather use smaller bulbs and have more even light. Plus using smaller bulbs adds about 3 more inches of growing height. I could put 3 23 wat bulbs in less space than that monster would take.

04-09-2010, 04:09 PM	#1
w3weasel New Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 22	Stupid lighting question I'm trying to design my first smallish-cabinet. I found This Mogul Base CFL that has awesome specs for the cost... but I'm sure it needs a ballast. I'm not worried about wiring it up, but I cannot find any info on the ballast type to use with this bulb! HALP MEH WIF YER KNOWLEGE!
	Quote

04-09-2010, 08:15 PM	#2
FreezerBoy Was blind but now IC Puckbunny in Training Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 11,517	It's ballast is built in to the lamp. Not a CFL guy but, most here seem to avoid the larger CFLs and go with 20-40 watters. I'd look into that. Maybe CFLKing or Thundurkel... __________________ . . FreezerBoy's Destroyer Diary-Completed...... FreezerBoy's Thunk Diary-Completed...... Beginners Links
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04-09-2010, 09:25 PM	#5
gdbud A Cabinet Grower Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Within my own reality Posts: 783	If the bulb has a mogul base is it really a compact? __________________ A Birds Eye Vew of my Cabinet Grow Field Marshell Seeds, Lady Berry Kush Test Grow White Widow DWC NewYear Grow (first grow) Take a tour of my Cabinet. Pa rt 1 Part 2 Part 3 I'm in full compliance of Initiative 692 (the Washington State medical use of marijuana act) "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~Dr. Seuss
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04-09-2010, 08:52 PM	#3
w3weasel New Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 22	actually, it doesn't have a built in ballast... i did finally find the proper fixture here it's got a digital ballast in the hood. Unfortunately, nobody sells just a plain old ballast. I'm under the assumption that 1 60 watt fluorescent would put out (slightly) less heat than 3 20 watt bulbs due to a single ballast and associated resistances. I'll dig around and see if i can find a reason why smaller is better but I am going to assume its price... Tough to beat 69 watts of daylight bulb for $7 Thanks again for all your help FreezerBoy! You've helped me a lot so far and I'm getting my project narrowed down pretty well. I'll probably have another, much smaller cabinet proposal for review later today or tomorrow.
	Quote

04-10-2010, 12:35 AM	#6
tube dude Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 300	Those bulbs are huge! I would rather use smaller bulbs and have more even light. Plus using smaller bulbs adds about 3 more inches of growing height. I could put 3 23 wat bulbs in less space than that monster would take.
	Quote