Actively cooled my Tek Light with a jet engine

[kwirky]

I've been home, in bed for the most part, with four wisdom teeth recently removed and pretty much bored out of my mind, unable to talk.

My sunlight supply tek light fixture was working just perfectly, so yesterday I thought it would be sensible to void it's warranty :mrgreen:

I cut a blowhole in the top (think homer simpson "speed hole") and attached a 120mm 90cfm AC fan to it, blowing cool air down into the fixture. I read grim's review of the ATI fixtures, and how he figured the active cooling increased the T5's light output by 30-60%.

I didn't have a light meter to see if mine improved or not but it was SO noisy that I unplugged the fan and gave up. I have to rethink my cooling solution. I'm thinking peltier heatsinks lining the backs of the reflectors ;)

http://www.kwirky88.com/images/aquarium/07-05-20/speedhole.jpg

http://www.kwirky88.com/images/aquarium/07-05-20/jetpack.jpg

[DanG]

I'm thinking peltier heatsinks lining the backs of the reflectors

Go hard or go home :D

If you visit a computer shop, you should be able to find a couple different 120mm fans, they make them from as low as 46cfm.

[crystalz]

princess auto has a great selection of cooling fans. many different sizes and cheap too.

[kwirky]

Go hard or go home :D

If you visit a computer shop, you should be able to find a couple different 120mm fans, they make them from as low as 46cfm.

yeah I'm thinking of scouting out some low db 120mm PC fans, and finding a 12V ps for cheap. I'm thinking 3 fans in total.

the question is how should I be running the air THROUGH the fixture? the point is to cool the bulbs. I know there's a lot of heat inside the fixture, because even with the fan off, a LOT of heat emenates out of the large opening I made for it, but the reflectors block the space between the bulbs and the fan.

I'm thinking what if I were to cut slits in the peaks of the reflectors (RIGHT above the bulbs), then attempt to seal off all other places for air to flow, forcing cold air onto the bulbs themselves.

Anyone in the calgary area have access to a light meter? (lux meter) lux's won't give the increase in PAR, but it'll at least show if the bulbs are running more efficiently or not.