DIY Spinner?

[alphacat]

I have a microgrow idea that I think would prove extremely viable - IF some kind of a small spinner light can be set up to use multiple fluoros. A spinner is needed here to provide a fuller spectrum, more wattage, and help w/ cooling and circulation. What I'm looking at is rotating a small arm, no more than a foot wide, w/ 3 or 4 standard medium sockets mounted on it.

That said -

How the hell do spinner lights work? Are there rotating power couplings in the thing or some kind of brush assembly for electrical current?

 

[bounty29]

Um... what the hell is a spinner?

 

[viewsonic123]

is a spinner like a light mover?

 

[alphacat]

Yeah - it rotates it 360* continually instead of back and forth on a track. Most models have radial arm designs... like this or this.

 

[Sad247summer]

I have seen "brush" contactors on Coast guard Warning lights.
The whole top spun but Electricity was run thru the brushes to power the light, this might work, but the voltage/amps might fluctuate alot.
It might work woth fluros and incandesant but not HID lights IMO.

 

[alphacat]

I agree w/ the HID thing... that's a lot of hot current to rely on moving parts, what with ballast and all.

Been looking at airport beacons, DJ lights, model lighthouse kits... that kinda stuff. Nothing so far - but I'll bet it's out there somewhere! In fact, all I suppose I really need is a single motorized rotating E27 socket rated up to a couple hundred watts, tops.

 

[Guest]

there are light spinners for HID's on the market. You just have to pay through the nose as usual. The trick in designing one is making it so the wires don't get tangled. Otherwise...a piece of cake.

Cheers,
SH

 

[alphacat]

So after more reading it occurred to me that this doesn't have to revolve 360* - it could be just as effective with 180* oscillation and wouldn't require some weird power coupling, just a regular old cord.

First thing I did was look at the $3.99 oscillating fan by my desk and take it apart - the active mechanism that makes it go back and forth is just like the power arm on a steam locomotive (it's called a rotary actuator I think, but that's just academic). Thought about simply mounting a light bar onto the bottom of the fan - sort of a two in one approach - but the gear & neck assembly in this cheap fan is... well, cheap. It also looks to only have about a 40* range.

There are motorized bases for DJ lighting effects like this, but that $100 is a bit pricy. There's got to be a DIY solution out there... maybe in one of your heads!

The benefits of light movers on big grows are proven - something like 20% increased light saturation - and as with most things, as above so below, the below in this case being microgrows. Aside from the hassle there's no downside that I can see. Just better light coverage (esp. w/ mixed CFLs for spectrum) and cooler bulbs.

 

[Sad247summer]

I Found just what you need in a Fred Myer dumpster last week.
One of those motorised wire framed reindeer covered with Xmas lights.
The motor/gearbox that makes the head turn left and right has a cool clutch that when It reaches the end of its spin or meets too much resistance it starts back the other direction. I wanted to use it to make a light mover but Alas the motor was too small for me but one like it would work for you. I will try and find it Wifey likes to throw away my dumpster finds if I leave em sitting around too much.

 

[alphacat]

DING DING DING!


I'm gonna PM you in a second here...

 

[Guest]

i was about to type this response that i thought was intelligent about rotation angles needed and how 40* of roation would work well with 5 lights because of all angles of penetration reached. then i got done typing it and realized i was wrong.......
just wanted to share i had the intention of helping

 

[alphacat]

It's all good irishSoCo, the intent is appreciated. I think 90* is the minimum range of rotation required... Although I wonder if it'd be a problem if the thing made an odd numbered degree arc, like a 130* - would that mean that certain spots would get more light? Seems like it would, so scalar increments of 90* would probably be best (90, 180, 360.) to ensure even coverage.

In microgrowing where less is more it's a little surprising that nobody's ever done this before, although it'd be a stretch to assume it hadn't ever. Anything to squeeze a few more cents out of the garden, right?

 

[HeadyPete]

Here's an easier solution that does the same thing: build a motorized turntable and rotate your plants.

I am going to build a 4' diameter rotating turntable with a centre shaft in a mounted bearing and 4 heavy duty caster wheels mounted upside down to take the weight of the table top, and use an auto windshield wiper motor with a rubber roller turning slowly against the outer perimeter of the turntable. By using a power supply with Pulse Width Modulation (proper speed control circuit for DC motors) and by using the smallest drive roller against the large turntable, I figure I can get the rotations down real slow....

This gives all the advantages of a light mover without the high cost or problem of electrical brushes (which would be subject to corrosion and failure) and twisted wires (hassle and long term fire hazard) Light will penetrate deeper, shadows move and block no part of the plant for long, you can spin the table to get to the plants in the back easily, and you can hang 1, 2, 3 or more lights above with different bulbs for an even distribution of colour spectrum to the plants. The lights are safe and secure and stationary...

If this is not good for you, good luck with your original project

 

[alphacat]

Hey HeadyPete, thanks for dropping by!

No, your idea's a good one - and did cross my mind. The only advantage (which may proove negligible anyway, time will tell) is the cooling aspect of moving the fluoros. Otherwise yeah, moving the plants 360* is far easier than moving hardwired lights. And if moving the lights safely & reliably turns into too big of a hassle then it's on to moving the plant.

 

[mrgrowmez]

yea, great way to circum-navigate the problem pete! think ill be givin that a try in the future. good luck alphacat

 

[HeadyPete]

thanks guys.

Hope it all works out for you however you decide, alpha. I will be looking in to see whatup!