Grow Box Design 400w

[Spiritu]

I hope everyone is smoking well lately...I'm looking for help on the design of my first serious growbox.

I already have some good experience from some cfl grows I've done for fun, with limited results. However, I have never built anything completely from scratch and I am incredibly unhandy. So I need lots of help

The box is going to be 24"x24"x60", in a simple cabinet style. Here is a simple diagram I whipped together in about 5 minutes (still having troubles working the image system on IC):

-the "x"s on the left would be where the hinges are
-the star in the bottom right would be a lock of sort
-handle part-way up the door with magnetic latch beside it

The box would be constructed with 1/2" plywood for the walls, ceiling, etc. I figured 2x2s or 2x4s could be used for the frame.

-paint the inside white
-cut a hole near base for passive intake and near the top for exhaust
-install 120mm Ball Bearing PC fan (70CFM, 30DbA) for exhaust
-hang 400w HID possibly with reflector

I could put the exhaust on the ceiling as well, I don't know if that would be beneficial in any way. I am going to need a carbon scrubber, but I don't know that much about them yet. I'm not sure how big of one I would need with this size of box. There also needs to be a place for the wires/cables to exit, or it could be included with the intake. I also thought about fluoro tubes on the sides, but I'm trying to keep it as inexpensive and simple as possible for now.

So what do you guys think?

 

[qbert]

I'm willing to bet you will have high temperature issues with a 400w HPS in a 2'x2' cab with only a PC fan for exhausting.

 

[ElGato]

I'm willing to bet you will have high temperature issues with a 400w HPS in a 2'x2' cab with only a PC fan for exhausting.

thats a fact^^^^
this time of year you can pick up stanley blower fans
for about $15.00 on "end of season" sales @ walmart...they will cool your grow quite nicely plus there are threads here that show how to modify them for cabinet growing



also, if size isnt an issue you would most likely yeild better with more floor space

like 30" x 30" @ 64watts psf
instead of 24" x 24" @ 100watts psf (is overkill imho)


good luck to ya



mj

 

[geopolitical]

I have a 400w in a cabinet about 50% bigger than that size and I'm using 4 pc fans to cool (I'm also pulling through carbon however). If you use a cool tube or otherwise separate your growing area from your ballast/light/etc you can get away with just one or two pc fans exhausting your grow area and then another one or two exhausting the cool tube/etc. I doubt you can get away with just one for the entire setup however.

 

[SMC]

I have a 32"x32" with a 400W HPS. I have a big intake fan a even bigger exhaust RVK fan and my temperatures are always above 30ºc...the other day it was 37ºC. that's like 100ºF. Good in the coldest days, terrible the rest of the year.

 

[qbert]

I have a 32"x32" with a 400W HPS. I have a big intake fan a even bigger exhaust RVK fan and my temperatures are always above 30ºc...the other day it was 37ºC. that's like 100ºF. Good in the coldest days, terrible the rest of the year.

Just my quick 2 cents. That intake fan probably isn't doing you any good. It would do more good blowing air over your light through a cool-tube or vented hood (assuming you don't already have one). And you may have other issues, too, like insufficient intake area. Because 32"x32", unless really really short, should be in the area that a 400w could be okay as long as there are no significant problems with your ventilation. Also assuming ambient's are low enough to begin with, of course.

 

[Spiritu]

i forgot to mention that it does need to be somewhat stealthy, so sounds is an issue. what kind of fans have enough power but are still quiet? im not sure how the stanley blower would fit in except for circulation. I'm most concerned about exhaust.

 

[qbert]

Soler & Palau TD-MixVent fans

They are cheap at http://www.ventingdirect.com/soler-palau-mixed-flow-fans/c14868 and http://www.hvacquick.com/products/r...ine-Air-Booster-Fans/SP-TD-Series-Inline-Fans