Any electrians in here?

[tcrosson]

I just bought a 2ft fluorescent light that will house two bulbs from Lowes. It's one of those types you hang from say your ceiling in your garage or workshop. Now I plan on using it for a reptile cage I'm building. However, it states that it's for hanging use only. Does that mean it's just not meant to be recessed in your ceiling or no flush mounting to plywood (which is what I want to do with it)? It also states that the supplied cord (which is no more then 6" long) is to determine the maximum lenght to the outlet (6" is way to short for me). Would I be OK using a good extension cord (14gauge should do it?)?

And yes I know, it's a cheapy but it's the only dual fluorescent fixture I could find at 2ft so I'm hoping to make this work. And everything I'm complaining about above was not listed on the box.

Any help would be appreciated (or pointing me to a place where I can find something that will work).

Thanks.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

You should be fine. I wouldn't listen to those instructions. My mom's an office manager for an electrical contracting firm and my granddad was an electrician (among countless other trades). I get to hang around and listen to all kinds of stuff. I don't understand everything, but I have a general working knowledge of electricity and the things that use it.

You should be fine, even if you mount the unit upside down and have a 30' extension cord plugged in. Good luck.

nik

 

[Evadman]

If it is for hanging use only, that probably means it gets hot, and needs the airflow above the unit for cooling.

All light fixtures have the 6' rule. Extention ords and lights are not a good mix, but if you use a good quality extention cord ( 14 gauge should be fine for 25-50 feet ) you should be ok.

You may be able to attach to the plywood directly, but if you do, paint the plywood with a non-toxic flame retardant paint first just in case. I am sure Lowes has said paint.

Watch the unit for a while, and check on it often to make sure nothing goes awary. You only need a few seconds to start a ballast fire.

 

[Wallydraigle]

I'm not an electrician, but the fixture probably isn't designed so that the ballast will stay cool in an enclosed space, like if it were recessed in the ceiling or something. Unless you're going to build a canopy or something to put it in you shouldn't have a problem. I've never had a problem with household extension cords before, but if they put it on there they must have a reason. Outside I have run too much cord to run things before, but not inside. I can't imagine two 2' bulbs drawing much current. What are they, 20W?

 

[Jerboy]

Originally posted by: tcrosson
I just bought a 2ft fluorescent light that will house two bulbs from Lowes. It's one of those types you hang from say your ceiling in your garage or workshop. Now I plan on using it for a reptile cage I'm building. However, it states that it's for hanging use only. Does that mean it's just not meant to be recessed in your ceiling or no flush mounting to plywood (which is what I want to do with it)? It also states that the supplied cord (which is no more then 6" long) is to determine the maximum lenght to the outlet (6" is way to short for me). Would I be OK using a good extension cord (14gauge should do it?)?

Extension cords won't be a problem. Commercial fixtures often have looong cable runs above ceiling. Is the fixture made of metal? Your ballast should be fine unless they're absolute cheapy made by unknown brand. Metal fixtures must be rated "suitable for use on combustible surface" in order to be code compliant when installing on flammable surfance.

And yes I know, it's a cheapy but it's the only dual fluorescent fixture I could find at 2ft so I'm hoping to make this work. And everything I'm complaining about above was not listed on the box.

Any help would be appreciated (or pointing me to a place where I can find something that will work).

Thanks.

Do you know who makes it? What's the model #?


\/ Some people call me resident lighting expert

 

[tcrosson]

This is the model: 2ft light fixture

Thanks for the help so far. I still haven't decided whether or not I'm going to use it though.

What if I got some bolts (say 2") and hung it accordingly from the top using those. That way there would be a gap between the roof of the cage and the light. Now that you've raised the question of heat, however, the cage is for a chameleon so it's going to get up to 90 degrees farenheit (I'll be using a ceramic heater to accomplish that). With that in mind do you think it'd be OK? How about if I hang it as I had listed above and drill some holes in the cage above it to allow some hot air to escape? I'd still really like to just mount if flush though.



Thanks again for your help.

 

[Jerboy]

Originally posted by: tcrosson
This is the model: 2ft light fixture

Thanks for the help so far. I still haven't decided whether or not I'm going to use it though.

What if I got some bolts (say 2") and hung it accordingly from the top using those. That way there would be a gap between the roof of the cage and the light. Now that you've raised the question of heat, however, the cage is for a chameleon so it's going to get up to 90 degrees farenheit. With that in mind do you think it'd be OK? How about if I hang it as I had listed above and drill some holes in the cage above it to allow some hot air to escape? I'd still really like to just mount if flush though.

Thanks again for your help.

The ballast may fail prematurely if it gets too hot. Do you have a piece of aluminum plate you can mount the fixture onto? Expose the other side of metal plate to outside air and this will help dissipating the heat from ballast. I can't quite picture what you're doing without looking at a picture or diagram of your setup.

How big is the cage?

Do you have the appropriate lamps for it? Reptiles needs some ultraviolet light for their health and for that you'll need to use full-spectrum lamps with relatively high UV output such as Excella, Vita-Lite or UV lamp like unfiltered blacklight(which looks white when power is off).

 

[tcrosson]

Jerboy - It's a pretty simple setup. I don't have a diagram but I'll explain it the best I can. It's 3ft tall x 2ft x 2ft. All wood with a swinging screen front door. It has an incadesant fixture for the ceramic heater plus the 2 bulb 2ft fluorescent fixture for a UVB only light and the other for a full spectrum light. I'm hoping to mount the fluorescent bulbs at the very top (to light the whole cage), and the incadescent ceramic heater is near the top mounted on the back of the cage (which will provide heat). I really don't want to have the fluorescent bulbs hanging because it will create shadows at the top of the cage. Also if the bulbs are hanging, that's more wasted space at the top of the cage (which means less room for branches and such for climbing).

I'll try to post a diagram later tonight (if I have time).

I do really like your aluminum idea too. That's pretty brilliant. I can get aluminum for free so that's something I'll defineitely consider.

You guys have been a big help!