Heat Problem

My first attempt with my new 600w HPS with spectrum-enhanced bulb. I have a 8" can fan exhausting air out of a 6'(w) x 6(l)' x 7.5'(h) room, but my temperature is still in the upper 80's. My new plants are doopy and have brown spots randomly in the leaves, which I think is heat burn. The 600w is generating a ton of heat and since I live in a warm climate, my AC is running continuously.

I know I could get a cool tube and exhaust the light's heat into the attic, but I have my doubts whether this will work. Is there anything else I can do?

Does a 400w produce significantly less heat? At this point, I'll suck it up and buy a 400w if I have to.

Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.

You need a glass hood that will make a huge difference. Many hoods come with a lip so all you need to do is buy the glass and just slip it in. You will be surprised by the difference it makes.

I currently have a bat wing reflector. So if I get a glass hood, that will bring temps down enough to where I can keep the 600w?

Thanks, Mogie.

Contributed by: VenuS
Submitted: August 24th, 2004
Images archived: 2004

Adding Glass Shields to HPS reflectors


1. First of all, you'll need a Reflector with HPS of course I think that way of adding glass will be suitable for many kind of reflectors.

[Editor's note: Venus has used a batwing, but this technique can be used on many different shapes of reflectors, as long as there is adequate clearance between the bulb and glass. Large 1000w MH bulbs may not fit inside glass-enclosed reflectors]



2. That is all u need: Pliers, Sidecutter, "Philips" screwdriver, 5mm bit for making holes in reflector, 4 bolts, 4 "L" shaped brackets, a ruler, electric drill and isolating band (rubber/elastic tape). Note the bolts and "L" shaped brackets that I used.






3. Now, to make this done u will need a peace of glass. Take the ruler and measure the size of glass u will need. Hardware stores, windows shops, etc will cut any type of glass you want. Bring your measurements. I used regular, 1/8 (3 mm) window glass. Here is the peace they cut for me using sizes I gave them.

[Editor's note: most window/glass stores can make fabricate/cut tempered glass (high heat resistance, thin & light, but high cost), or regular plate glass (lower cost).

Tempered glass is preferrable for high wattage lamps, as their heat is extreme. Plate glass can crack under these hot conditions.]


4. Take the electric drill and drill 4 holes in each corner of the reflector. To make this, I used a 5mm bit.









5. Take the isolating band and cut it with scissors in half......I doing this because the width of the iso-band is more wider than the "L" shaped bracket. Now ,take that half cut iso-band and just roll over the "L" shaped bracket. That way, the glass will sit on a soft surface instead of a metal surface - protecting it against scratches, vibrations and slip over...





6. Take the bolts & brackets and screw them all together to the reflector......

Then, flip over the reflector and slide the peace of glass into it.

Here u can see how it will look with the glass sitting on the brackets and just below the bulb......I kept 1.5 inch (4 cm) between the glass and bulb.





7. After all dirty work is done, the final product looks gorgeous and will do the job it was intended to do......

With all stuff prepared before doing the job ,yuo can finish all this in about an hour ....

Very nice post mogie that is proboly the simpliest cheapest way to install a glass sheet onto your reflector, and billy mogie is right it makes a big difference.