Best HPS Temperatures/Carefree/Careful

Hi Guyz and gals. As a lot of us probably have struggled with the temps in our rooms I thought it'd be good to ask a simple question. Last thing we want is a fire hazard in our houses, right?

I've got myself a lovely 400 watt budget system going and I am really pleased with it. Currently though I'm struggling to get it on a timer because I am scared about leaving it unwatched while I am asleep or at work.

I'm using a 1000watt AC to keep it cool. Thing is, some of us are poor and can only afford a 1kw contacter and timer. My personal problem is it's not great for the AC to be on when the lights off, and I got no second timer, so it's a shit!

So, what sort of temperatures should we expect from a HPS? Should I/anyone be worried about leaving it in a room without the AC and just a fan?

Am I over-reacting here? Please, any help is appreciated from you guys.. hopefully it will help more than just me, I have searched the forum and to my surprise I can't seem to find anything like this mentioned before now!

Thanks man,
Denial

Many/most growers use air cooled hoods to keep their lights cooled. You should look into how the air cooled hoods are vented and save your money for the gear you need. In the meantime, another timer only costs US$20 - and there isn't a pot smoker in the world that can't come up with 20 bucks, you just have to buy growing gear instead of weed.

PC :smokin:

wait, you want a fan on when the light is on? and the lights on a timer?

just add a cheapo extension cord with 2 or more outlets on it!

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Originally Posted by PharmaCan

...you just have to buy growing gear instead of weed.PC :smokin:

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Say whaaaaaaaaat?

I posted a thread before I started growing about fires caused by HPS bulbs, and most said it won't be a hazard unless it falls. It definitely won't start any fires though just from being on, but don't let your room get over 85° or the plants will be stressed. I run a 1KW HPS over a 2x4 area and I use a squirrel fan to suck air straight up off the bulb through the top of my DIY hood, a small 5" fan blowing across the bulb, and a large 20" fan blowing up into the hood to circulate air and a 20" box fan pulling fresh air into the room through a filter. My room stays a bit on the cool side, 70 with the door open and around 75°-78° closed and the low 60s at night.

Also, you can get a Brinks digital timer at WalMart for like $9. Thats what I use to run my lights and pumps and they work great. They also have a built battery backup in case the electricity goes out.

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Originally Posted by gainesvillegreen

Say whaaaaaaaaat?

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Ain't it a bitch when reality interferes with life? :D

PC :smokin:

thanks for all the info guys. It's nice to establish that the only way this could be even close to a fire hazard is if the bulb explodes, which is unlikely, providing it is installed and away from flammable items, etc.


Thanks a lot :D Someone should make a sticky thread about this, because my biggest concern was fire safety really :)

Peace,
Denial

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hybridlove420

wait, you want a fan on when the light is on? and the lights on a timer?

just add a cheapo extension cord with 2 or more outlets on it!

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yeah i will probably end up buying another contactor for my ac, the 1kw one for my light is no good split because the contactor is max 1kw :( Looks like i'll switch seperate on the AC, or install a constant out or in fan.. It's only a small grow.

Denial

here are some really cheap fans from amazon.com. I just bought both of these for my setup and they are good. I keep one pointing straight up at my HPS and the other oscillating around the closet on low. these little fans are powerful. you can get them shipped for free inside the us as long as you have 10 days to wait.

Honeywell-HT800-Super-Turbo-Performance $12.99

Honeywell-HFT114B-Oscillating-Base-Turbo $16.88

=$29.87 total with free shipping

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Originally Posted by wordsandwich

Honeywell-HT800-Super-Turbo-Performance $12.99

Honeywell-HFT114B-Oscillating-Base-Turbo $16.88

=$29.87 total with free shipping

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thanks this is some great info. Thanks for the heads up about the HPS bulbs, I'd imagine if the bulb is kept cool even if the bulb is damaged or explodes the risk of fire is close to zero. Don't quote me on that though!