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DIY cheap HO fluorescent lighting

wirebender Jan 11, 2004 01:16 PM

Here's a link for overdriving fluorescent bulbs--almost double the light output! I'm going to try one later today if I get done cleaning the garage...

Bob

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lights/msg111229472000.html?33
Link

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Bob Stockdale

green pumilio
fantasticus(one lonely male...)
azureus
regina
alanis
leucomelas
auratus

Replies (11)

kyle1745 Jan 11, 2004 02:18 PM

Let us know how it goes that is a very interesting idea.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

heaser Jan 11, 2004 03:11 PM

just tried it after i read the info on the link and it works great esaly twice as bright as befor but they do run qute abit hotter

kyle1745 Jan 11, 2004 03:48 PM

Did you just run 1 off the other to test it? From what I read it just reduces the life span of the bulbs. Wonder how safe it is for day to day use?
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

heaser Jan 11, 2004 03:59 PM

no i did it to bolth of them and i read your bulbs should still last for over a year

kyle1745 Jan 11, 2004 04:04 PM

hmm
So take 2 shop lights, remove the ballasts from one and then add them to the other? Interesting...
-----
Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

heaser Jan 11, 2004 04:57 PM

yes, so you have the power of 4 lights in 2

kyle1745 Jan 11, 2004 05:25 PM

Any saftey issues? I'm not worried about the wiring thats easy, but wonder how the bulbs take it.
-----
Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

csiviper Jan 11, 2004 05:36 PM

i am very interested in doing this for my frog tanks and my orchid collection. i am worried about fire hazards, bulbs exploding or something like that. i also wonder what it does to the power bill. do they still consume the power of 2 bulbs or 4 bulbs. keep me posted.

heaser Jan 11, 2004 07:31 PM

i gues people have been doing this for a wile with salt water tanks and they dont seem to have any problems. the power they consume is a little less then 4 bulbs you should follow this link http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lights/msg111229472000.html?33 and it should anser all of you questions

heaser Jan 11, 2004 07:21 PM

so far the bulbs seem to be doing ok just a little wormer then normal but realy bright

shopaholic Jan 12, 2004 06:17 PM

I did something similar but with other kinds of lights. I had a handyman(I'm very unhandy!) put the CF ballast in the middle, and 2 incandescent ballast on either end of a 24 inch strip. One incandescent holds a moonlight for nighttime heat, the other a daytime basking bulb for additionnal day heat when needed. It all sits on an acrylic top and I was afraid of too much heat for the strip or for the acrylic. 2 months after, the sides of the top warped but I had the handyman put more hinges on the end and flip the top over now its flush, no heat issues to my surprise and I have 3 lights in one strip. I hope its not a hazard, but its been like this since May of last year, its kind of nice to have those lights on one strip. When i don't need the heat, I suppose I could use a coil type bulb for more growing light? Maggie

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