Help with PL-L cabinet setup.

[Squeeky]

I have been using a Dr.Bud style grow with two cabinets. Now that I am starting to understand how bud grows I would like to build a more permanent cabinet. I am currently looking at the 24in x 70in cab at Lowes. I have 2x Workhorse 7 ballast that can run 4 lamps each, up to 55w bulbs.

I would like to divide the cabinet into 3 sections.
Flower - Veg - Utility (NGB stacked up)

Currently my cabinet is 28" tall and I am using standard 40w CFLs, the cabinet I feel is too high for a SOG bottle setup. I'm thinking with the use of the PL-L, I can cut the height down to about 22". This would give me a plant height of roughly 10-12". I figure 6" for the bottle, 2" for the CFLs/reflector, and roughly 2" for the bottom of the CFL.

I figured I would reduce the height of the mom/veg section to about 16-18", it would give me the ability to hold 2-4 bonsai moms, cloner ice cube tray, and several vegging bottles.

I would like to hold the ballast, blower, filter, and also my nutes in the utility section. I would love for the cabinet to hold everything. So I'm thinking with the two sections and the shelves, would give me roughly 22" for the utility.

I will be devoting a ballast to each room, one running 16/8 and the other at 12/12. The real question comes to what bulbs in which and how to mount:

Veg Room Options:
Basically it's just a matter of how many should I run: 3 or 4?
I have heard that 5400k spectrum would be better then 6500k. However I could easily mix the spectrum. Also overdriving comes into play as well.

Flower Room:
Basically planning either 4 3000k or 3 and the 24" UVB bulb.

I assume that with using PL-Ls and remote ballast I can keep the heat extremely low, and use a very low CFM blower, thinking of using a Lasko task fan and homemade scrubber.

I want to have the utlimate PL-L grow as the bulbs have much more potential then people give them. I plan on using google sketchup so that others can follow by example.

 

[Squeeky]

After reading some more last night in the remote CFL forum. It seems the WH7 will not comfortably run 4x55w. So I'm looking to run 3x 55w 6500k in veg, and 3x 55w 3000K / 1x 20w 8.0 UVB bulb in the flower.

 

[K.J]

I wish I could give you some advice here, but I've never grown with these types of lights. But I am very interested in seeing what you come up with as I'm considering using PLL's as additional lighting in our cab.

 

[stink.whistler]

Sounds like a good plan, I'll look forward to seeing it. I want to see some more pl CFL grows.

 

[thecarguy]

Get another Workhorse 8 ballast for that cab, so you can run some more PLLs. The cab has the space!

 

[Squeeky]

Well with that in mind, I've considered running 6 55w in the flower cab, and just using 23w spiral CFLs for the veg/mom section.

Ahh F*CK it, if I've going to grow with PL-L's, I should do 100%.

If anyone knows of a cab that is carried by a big box retailer that is taller in height to run a decent micro SOG. I think I could easily run the setup in roughly 54in in height making the cab even more stealth. Let me know if you can think of anything.

 

[magiccannabus]

As was pointed out in the other thread, the Workhorse ballasts may not actually be able to handle enough current to supply more than a couple of these PL-L lamps with the 550mA that they need to run full power. I would consider this a major problem, as it will mean the output is not only weaker than it should be, but it will shift the spectrum more toward red as well. I definitely want to find out more before I will ever try these.

 

[bakelite]

As was pointed out in the other thread, the Workhorse ballasts may not actually be able to handle enough current to supply more than a couple of these PL-L lamps with the 550mA that they need to run full power. I would consider this a major problem, as it will mean the output is not only weaker than it should be, but it will shift the spectrum more toward red as well. I definitely want to find out more before I will ever try these.

MC, The 3 bulb limit of the Workhorse 7 is why I chose to go with this Advance Centium ballast for my next CF cab. It'll run (4) 55 watt pl-l's. I picked one up on ebay for $30.00. Universal and Sylvania also carry ballasts that'll run (4) 55 watt pl-l's as well.