Home Made Grow Lights

[Bigmallly]

Part 2 - Project complete.............

So - Foil £2
Frame & Chain £9
3ft Twin florescent fitting with cool light tubes £18

So it comes in under £30 - I'm happy with that.......gonna test it out on some Orchids first before I let it loose on tender seedlings.

[veggiechicken]

Ermmmmm, what sort of poppies are you growing
Looking good!! I'm still unsure about the actual light fittings - are they ready wired and you just plug them in?

[Bigmallly]

Ermmmmm, what sort of poppies are you growing

Plastic ones..............

[Bigmallly]

I'm still unsure about the actual light fittings - are they ready wired and you just plug them in?

They are a doddle to wire.......they don't come with wire but I had some 3 core from an old TV so used that.......it's no harder than wiring a 3 pin plug.

[veggiechicken]

You'll have a shock if they grow (or melt)

[Bigmallly]

You'll have a shock if they grow (or melt)

If they melt, I've bought the wrong tubes................

[veggiechicken]

They are a doddle to wire.......they don't come with wire but I had some 3 core from an old TV so used that.......it's no harder than wiring a 3 pin plug.

It scares me - I'd need help with that I have reels and reels of cable though

[BUFFS]

Due to lack of light at home resulting in leggy seedlings, For the last few weeks I have been thinking about making one of These

with 1, maybe 2 of These.

The time has now come to make a decision.............Do you think it is worth it?
As always, your comments are appreciated.

are those first ones the small strip lights that you get shining down onto kitchen worksurfaces?,as we have a local electrical warehouse that sells that type of thing quite cheap,and i dont think they cost too much to run,it will definitely be worth giving it a go...many thanks..

[Bigmallly]

are those first ones the small strip lights that you get shining down onto kitchen worksurfaces?,as we have a local electrical warehouse that sells that type of thing quite cheap,and i dont think they cost too much to run,it will definitely be worth giving it a go...many thanks..

That's what I ended up buying but thanks to advice made sure they had cool white tubes.

[redser]

Part 2 - Project complete.............[ATTACH=CONFIG]33114[/ATTACH]

So - Foil £2
Frame & Chain £9
3ft Twin florescent fitting with cool light tubes £18

So it comes in under £30 - I'm happy with that.......gonna test it out on some Orchids first before I let it loose on tender seedlings.

Lovely job! If I could just say one thing, matt white even printer paper will be much better than the foil. You'll see the difference in intensity straight away.

[veggiechicken]

Wallpaper lining paper perhaps?
A3 blotting paper - I must have some of that

[redser]

It scares me - I'd need help with that I have reels and reels of cable though

If you go through an electrical wholesaler they'll wire it up in a jiffy, probably for free if you smile
For temps, just obey the usual rules, 12-15 degrees would be fine. I just use the box room.

[veg man]

Well got me lights so hear we go.i think you have started something big here Bigmally

[Bigmallly]

Well got me lights so hear we go.i think you have started something big here Bigmally

If it works then I'm a happy bunny........I get so bored in winter...................Does that count as my weekly challenge VC ?......................Thanks for the advice re the paper red, I'll keep my eyes open..........more spending.........

[veggiechicken]

...Does that count as my weekly challenge VC ?..................

I think so, BM....... It was a big challenge! Hope you don't think I'm copying but I may have to claim my Blue Peter thingy as mine. It was to be planting a Tomcot but the blessed thing hasn't arrived yet - and I'm out tomorrow.