Ballast heat

[buddog]

has anybody ever ran a small duct off the fan end of a ballast & plumed it in to the exhaust to take that heat outside.& if so would u plum it in before the fan or after to help hold down the heat ya think it would help.

 

[ArtVandolay]

If I understand you correctly, I think it's best to simply relocate the ballast completely outside the grow area.

 

[lordhighlama]

:yeahthat:

 

[buddog]

But if i do that i will be giving up some stealth.

 

[ArtVandolay]

You haven't told us enough about your setup to try to give you some ideas . I have a stealth grow box in the garage with a remote ballast.

 

[buddog]

It is in the back of a outside building 10x4x8 like a big closet u would never know its there. 600 watt air cooled with 6 inch vortex fan for exhaust. Pull though light passive intake in the floor.

 

[ArtVandolay]

You just have 2 wires that need to run from inside the box to the ballast outside the box. You could even run the wires through your venting hoses if you do it properly. A shelf on the back of the box that is against a wall? A "storage container" on top of the cabinet? Or, if you have 10 feet of height, a shelf at the top 8 or 10 inches high that separates the grow space? Do be mindful of the heat the ballast generates and the material it sits on. Here's mine - all venting and stuff on top outside the grow spaces. My 2 150 watt ballasts are mounted on the right. Those are my Flora Series nutes in the container on the left And my :watchplant: chair on the right.

 

[Motor City Madman]

It sounds to me like you have a digital ballast if it is like mine it has a long cord. Get creative and hide it. Mine is out side the box, If it over heats your done.

Good luck
MCM

 

[buddog]

okokok i do have a old freezer on the other side of wall that i can put it behind .Will it help the temps that much.

 

[Motor City Madman]

Yes

 

[buddog]

I know ever little bit helps but how much in degrees lower do u think.I new i could do that but i did not won't to but thank u all.

 

[crizzo357]

I would have to say 5-10 degrees..........my 400W ballast is outside my grow area, and when its running its hot to the touch so I would imagine atleast 5-10...IMO.

criz

 

[NYC_Diesel x Jack_Herer]

check out the link in my signature, it is a silent exhaust design the eliminates all ballast heat from the grow. My grow room stays MUCH cooler this way.