New custom made reflectors

[Dizzy1]

So I have a real good buddy in SoCal that I've known for quite a few years in an online fashion. Through online gaming and about as best buds as you can be in an online way. Anyway, I owe him much.

He got a good chuckle when I told him I was just going to say F' it and start growing. Then I think he actually got pretty interested when I started to show him what I've been able to accomplish both in homemade growing tools and what those tools are producing.
So he mentioned that he has some very thin metal where he works and that it's coated in a reflective film that's supposed to be 97% reflective. I can't remember the damn coating name.. If someone is interested I can provide all the details on it and possibly get him to make more. This isn't a business prop and I ain't getting no money if someone does, so please don't take it like that. I really just wanted to show what I'm going to be using.

This X 2.

And let me just say that looking directly at this reflector will make you SO queezy... It's so close to a hologram with the parabolic effect, VERY cool, but also unsettling in the gut region. :stoned:

[onequickmove]

that looks fantastic

[onequickmove]

aren't those internet friendships strange? you never really know who they are; i have a couple "good" xbox live buds, but i'd be nervous sharing anything personal with them, like growing; still i feel like we could be great friends

[BlAzInIt4:20]

my eyes hurt:joint1:

[MeNtAlPaTiEnT]

Dayum! Very reflective, great for growing most definately. Is there anything one might be able to buy to add on to a current reflector?

[Al B. Fuct]

If you can get your pal to put a crease down the middle of the reflector above the tube centreline and re-form the reflector in a double parabola (http://www.adjustawings.com/adjustawings-main.htm) (aka 'batwing') instead of a single parabola, it will work much better.

A single parabolic shape will focus most of the reflected light right below the tube, where there already should be lots on the direct path from the tube.

A double parabola will shift the reflected light toward the outer edges of the coverage pattern, evening out the coverage significantly.

A double parabola shape will also duct hot air away from the tube instead of allowing it to collect near and just above the tube.

[Dizzy1]

I agree Al. With the radius of this parabola, the light distance isn't enough to center all the light right below it, but I do have a band of light on either side that's concentrated. I have a small L beam running the length of the reflector, mounted with the opening of L facing the reflector, this helps break up the light a little bit. In the future I will try to put a crease down the middle or I might saw it down the middle and reassemble.
Thanks!

Mental,
The coating on the reflector is "Everbrite". I'm not sure how this was applied and also not sure how it would work on a current reflector.
I know the coating was put on an already polished piece of Alumn for my reflectors.

[Al B. Fuct]

Dizzy, the bands of light on either side of the centreline would be shifted further away from the tube with a double parabolic shape. I think I understand what you mean about the angle stock, but I don't think that will solve the problem of hot air collecting just above the tube.

The commercially made batwing unit I linked to has two means to adjust focus and beam spread. The reflector is somewhat springy and there's 2 stainless steel wires running the length of either end of the reffie, holding the sheet metal in the batwing shape. These wires have bits of metal clamped on their ends (like a bicycle brake cable). There are several holes in the reflector allowing the length of each stainless wire to be shortened or lengthened, opening or closing the spread of the reflector, which changes the spread of focus. The mounting for the tube socket also slides up and down to change the distance of the tube to the reflector. Sliding it all the way up toward the reflector spreads the beam wider, dropping it down narrows the spread. Mind you, once these two adjustments are set, they really need never be changed. The commercial unit makes this easy, but there's no reason why you can't cook up your own adjustment methods.

A crease and a little rebending action would very neatly make your new reffie act just like the commercial units. You could also cut the reflector in half and pop-rivet your piece of angle stock down the centreline, creating a neat 90 bend just above the lamp tube.

I do have to mention my misgivings about a highly polished surface on the reflector. If the reffie is highly polished and of single parabolic shape, one stands a very good chance of having focussed hotspots. Commercially made reflectors usually have a dimpled or textured surface or are painted/powder coated in flat white to more evenly spread light and avoid focus points.

[Dizzy1]

I hear what your saying and appreciate the advise.

The hot spots aren't really that intense with this 150 watt HPS. I'd be concerned if I was to use some real wattage though. I've laid my arm under the light for a good 10 minutes and you could definetly see and feel where the light was concentrated, but it was still only warm on the skin. The air flow around the inside of the cabinet keeps the leaves fairly busy as well.
I'm not opposed to splitting the Ref in half and batwinging it, I know those concentrated beams of light are wasted on a small location and should be dispersed more.

And thank you for the link!

Feel free to see my updated pics and log in my signature.

[texas grass]

do yall think it would be better to use polished alum or ss?
i have a good piece of 1/4 polished alum(but ill repolish)

i think im goin to build a custom aircooled reflector

heres a pic

[GreenPhantom]

Does anyone know where spectral aluminum could be purchased from? I'm not necessarily talking about pre-polished, pre-pebbled metal, but the same substance one could polish to achieve near-95% reflectivity.
I mean, I could go purchase aluminum flashing and polish it, but I wouldn't expect it to be as good as "spectral aluminum". So, any ideas?

[hybridracers]

dude what the hell is "spectral" aluminum? Ive been in metal working for years and never heard of it.

Ive been under the impression that polished isnt as good as a diffuser type panel.

This is the primary reason most lights use a "diffuser" in the output side of lights.........from flourescents to headlights. Breaking up the beam pattern makes better use of the light.

[pastor420]

Though in Canada this place has the spectral aluminum at what seems to be a reasonable price.
Online Store - anomet.com (http://anomet.com/cgi-bin/online/storepro.php)