DIY heat exhaust manifold for the Solarstorm 800

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DIY heat exhaust manifold for the Solarstorm 800

Postby dwcled » Sat Sep 15, 2012 9:52 am

I thought I would create a new thread for this modification I did to get the temps down in my chamber.
The way the fixture is vented, the exhaust heat generated inside chamber temps that were unacceptable and screwed up my Co2.

Image

All materials were from Home Depot or Lowes.

Not shown is one "extension" (5" - 6") that was needed to get the 18" spacing between the ducts.

Image

Here is one of the exhaust manifolds showing the 2" X 17" opening to mate with the exhaust vent.

Flange is for double sided tape to stick to fixture while metal taping.

Image

I went from temperatures well over 100 deg F to just over 80 deg F which is right around the temps I was generating with a 600w Cooltube.

Exhaust fan is a 6" Vortex pushing about 450 cfm.
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Re: DIY heat exhaust manifold for the Solarstorm 800

Postby dwcled » Sat Sep 15, 2012 11:26 am

Here is a parts list:

EXHAUST

2) 6" vent "tubes". these are flat sheets that interlock so you can cut before you make the tube which is pretty neat.

2) 4" end caps.

2) 4" adjustable elbows.

1) 4" "T"

1) 4"extension 5" long (if you can't find this, use another elbow).

1) 4" to 6" adapter

INTAKE

1) 6" round to 4" x 16" rectangular "register".

LOTS OF METAL DUCT TAPE (not cloth duct tape).
Last edited by dwcled on Sat Sep 15, 2012 3:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: DIY heat exhaust manifold for the Solarstorm 800

Postby azores » Sat Sep 15, 2012 2:36 pm

Very Brazil. I cracked up when I saw that in your other thread. It's a classic.
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Re: DIY heat exhaust manifold for the Solarstorm 800

Postby azores » Sat Sep 15, 2012 2:38 pm

Nice workaround by the way. Have you talked with George at all about this? Like if the lamp fails do you lose your deposit. Or anything like that?
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Re: DIY heat exhaust manifold for the Solarstorm 800

Postby dwcled » Sat Sep 15, 2012 3:08 pm

azores wrote:Nice workaround by the way. Have you talked with George at all about this? Like if the lamp fails do you lose your deposit. Or anything like that?


Thank you very much for the comps!

I sent pictures to Brandon as I don't have an email address for George.

As for the warranty, I probably voided it.

That hasn't ever stopped me.

The unit has internal over-temp protection (I think).

What I expect is CLW to make an accessory just like what I built. LOL

Or make the same unit available in an air cooled housing.

I will tell you that the temp of the housing has dropped also, so I know it is better cooling, shit, it should be for almost 450 CFM sucking on it!

If they do I hope they also concentrate on weight and that includes making the power supply remote like a ballast in an HID.
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Re: DIY heat exhaust manifold for the Solarstorm 800

Postby Caregiver » Sun Sep 23, 2012 8:20 am

Nice work around for the heat issue. They should address it with a new updated version of their grow light.

Did you find it necessary to force air into the light air intake grill or did you just decide that was the way you wanted to do it. I was wondering if you think you could just vent the exhaust away with an inline fan and not force air into the unit.

George's email: george@californialightworks.com
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Re: DIY heat exhaust manifold for the Solarstorm 800

Postby dwcled » Sun Sep 23, 2012 9:23 am

Caregiver wrote:Nice work around for the heat issue. They should address it with a new updated version of their grow light.

Did you find it necessary to force air into the light air intake grill or did you just decide that was the way you wanted to do it. I was wondering if you think you could just vent the exhaust away with an inline fan and not force air into the unit.

George's email: george@californialightworks.com


Thanks for the comps and info.

I got an email from CLW and they are "evaluating" my venting "solution".

I am not forcing air into the fixture but rather, drawing air through it.

The 6" Vortex is "sucking" on the fixture, the same way it was connected to my "Cooltube".

I have my lamp heat cooling done by a "closed loop", that is I take fresh air outside the chamber and exhaust outside the chamber.

The lamp cooling air never comes from the grow air.
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Re: DIY heat exhaust manifold for the Solarstorm 800

Postby dwcled » Thu Nov 15, 2012 10:40 am

WHEW!

After harvest I decided to address all the concerns and issues I had with the 800.

1. Weight.

The weight of the assembly actually distorted the roof of my chamber and made the doors very difficult to open.

I solved this by attaching turnbuckles and attaching to ceiling joists to support the lamp.

2. Venting.

I removed the tape that was holding the exhaust manifold to the assembly and "Pop" riveted it in place as it separated during the grow.

I also silicone sealed all the leaks.

Image

3. Raising and lowering.

I added a dual pulley to gain some more mechanical advantage as it was ridiculous to have to raise the lamp with one hand and pull on the rope with the other.

Also, the release for the ratchet pulley was at the top making lowering a chore.

Image

Image

I had to drill a couple of holes for the rope anchor, but now the ratchet pulley is on the bottom making the lowering very easy.
Last edited by dwcled on Wed Sep 25, 2013 8:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: DIY heat exhaust manifold for the Solarstorm 800

Postby dwcled » Thu Feb 14, 2013 1:13 pm

I got email from CALW (George) and he indicated that they are testing a modified housing that accommodates external cooling.

When it will be available he didn't disclose.
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Re: DIY heat exhaust manifold for the Solarstorm 800

Postby dwcled » Wed Sep 25, 2013 8:56 pm

I hope this helps anyone who has a heating problem.

I have been using this for over a year and it works tits.

The quality of the harvest is outstanding.
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