PC Case Build w/ moving lamps...

I have been hiding in the shadows and reading for a while and thought I should finally post so...

Here is the start of my PC Case build... I used four really strong magnets that I got out of old hard drives and superglued them to the back of the power strip... This gives me the ability to adjust the height of the lamps as seen in the attached photos... The magnets are so strong that when you try to slide the strip up you lift the case off the table...

Dragger

That is a very clever idea, I always wondererd how people deal with moving lights in a PC case, most people just put the lights at the top and raise the pot, I like your idea. You may want a bigger powerstrip with more lighst though, or maybe just higer wattage bulbs. You would also use Two more strips to do side lighting.

I have a few different wattage lamps for the box I plan on 3 each 26w 2700K 1750 lumen 1 each 23w 6500k 900 lumen lamps for flowering and 4 each 23w 6500K 900 lumen lamps for veg... I am waiting on my other 3 fans so I can duct the ventilation system.. There is be one fan for circulation also... will be taking the outer insulation off the cost to the power strip to make it more flexible also.. there will be more photos to come once I get all the materials to finish the build... I plan on having a veg and flower case... I will be experiementing with LST and ScrOG... I will have to figure out how to make the plant, pot and screen movable too... its all work in progress...

Dragger

Definitely looks like a solid PC case that's for sure!

As for the magnet idea, that was simply genius

Maybe try the same concept for your scrog screen? One on each corner or something like that. I might add though that the concept of ScrOG is to keep the screen in the same place so the plant fills out in a nice even canopy(increasing efficiency with cfls).

Just my $0.02. Best of luck!
-crunk

I have about a dozen more of the magnets... I am thinging about makeing some single magnetic lamp cords to put in the case too... I got the fans today so I will be making ducting for them in the next few days... more to follow on this PC case build...

Dragger...

looks good! you want those light on the side not on the top faceing down. how ya going to close the door with the cord coming out?

LOL the wiring will be going in the rear of the case... those photos were just to show the ability of the magnetic light strip... I have a long way to go until the case is where I want it...

Dragger...

Well I got a little more finished on the case last night... I installed 2 80mm exhaust fans and a 120mm intake fan they are running at about 75% as they are 12vdc fans running on 9.5vdc... this 75% is only an estimate... Cool air from outside is brought in on the lower left side and the warm air is exhausted on the upper right side... Photos attached...

Dragger...

Are you from the uk? I like the idea of the lights going straight into your power extension! Where did u get the fittings?

I have a banger of an old dell in the garage...might dig it out and make a wee mother/clone box. Would having powerful magnets behind the power fuck shit up at all (fuck me up or cause fires?)

I am in the states but my mother is 100% british from Coventry.... The magnets will have no adverse effect on the power strip as long as the back of the power strip is closed up completely and you are not attaching them to any part that would carry current or have voltage applied to it... I got the fittings for the lamps at Walmart but I am sure you may be able to find them in any country... I have it fired up now with the thermometer monitoring the temps to see if the fans are doing their jobs correctly...

Dragger...

haha nice one, i know where that is

I have a bunch of old ide hdd in work...i will try find these magnets you speak of and keep them for when i make my mother/clone box! Thanks for the idea! I would love to see this thread continue, im sure i will get lots of good ideas here!

Take it easy

OK I have had the case running with 78W of 6500K CFL lamps that is actual wattage for about 6 hours... the ambient tempature is 72 to 74 F in the house and the inside of the case is hovering at 78.6 to 80.0 F... what you all think is this a stable enough environment for growing in??? I have NEVER grew indoors before at all is why I ask... I brew my own beer so having an abundance of C02 in the house is not an issue in fact the grow case will be located in the brewing room where I try to keep the temp at 70F year around...

Dragger...

78-80 is almost perfect...and if you are using a little co2...its absorded at a higher volume by the plants when the temp is a little higher (i dont know the exact temp as I dont use co2 myself).

So aye, the temp is perfect man!

1) How many plants you planning on putting in there
2) I dunno if 78w of power is gonna cut it man

I am going to do a test in the next few days with some additional lamps just incase the 3 each 26w CFL lamps dont cut it... I read somewhere on here or in the Growers Bible that you need about 5000 lumens per sq ft... with this set up I will have 6500K @ 4800 lumens per sq ft during veg and 2700K @ 5250 lumens per sq ft during flowering... The 2700K lamps I have are 1750 lumens each and the 6500K are 1600 lumens each... If I put 2 blue and one red lamp in for veg I get 4950 lumens nearly perfect... and for Flowering 2 reds and a blue spectrum lamp I get 5100 lumens... I dont know if I want to go 12/12 from seed or veg for like 3 weeks and then into 12/12... or build another case and have 2 going at once with a slight overlap???

Dragger...

wow this is awesome i really need to change my case up a bit. might do it to another case though. i love the idea with the power strip and magnets. mine are just held in with wires and its not working good at all. thanks for sending me here, seriously.

-mac

no problem Mac I will be starting a journal once I get everything with the case tested and the way I want it... I have some bagseeds to test it with...

Very *slick* idea. Cudos! but adjustable lights in a PC case grow? Just from wall to ceiling is a wash. (horizontal to verticle)

(still cudos for the idea)

yeah its a nice n easy way to raise lights for your clones...I will be doing the same for my clone box...so many old hdds in work

@BigBudBalls
I remember you saying a while back you were planning or built a micro controller for your growroom...did you ever get round to it? I purcahsed a kit...but still not got round to making it!

imanoob said:

@BigBudBalls
I remember you saying a while back you were planning or built a micro controller for your growroom...did you ever get round to it? I purcahsed a kit...but still not got round to making it!

Click to expand...

No, never did the micro grow.
Don't see a need for it (for *me*)
Still dig the micros, but the ROI isn't there.

i have 2 23watt CFL..each one is 2700K soft white....is that good for Vegging? and i have 1 100watt cfl... flowering??