Rubbermaid Grow Cab Concerns - GreenPassion.org - Dedicated to Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation and Education

caerulipes · #1 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 10:55 AM

Recently, I built a Rubbermaid grow cab using smokedoja's guide. Two, 35 gallon Rubbermaid storage containers; two, 4 socket vanity fixtures ($10 each, on clearance, at Lowe's - nice); etc. I did use foil tape to line the inside. After installing and wiring my light fixtures, I realized two things:
1) Foil tape was designed, in part, to insulate. While it is highly fire resistant/retardant - a nice plus - I am worried it may lead to heat issues, with 8, 23 watt CFLs plus pending additional supplemental lighting (these are pretty big containers).
2) Aluminum, which is the shiny, "foil" part of this tape, conducts electricity. I'm curious if the foil tape does. This calls for an experiment (battery, wires, and tiny light bulb, anyone?), but I'm nowhere near my cab, and won't be for about a month. I wouldn't exactly feel comfortable reaching into a four-foot-tall electrocution hazard - power off or not - to care for my greenery each day. You understand, I'm sure.

Any input/discussion on these thoughts is welcome. In the end, the decision is between three things:
1) Try to paint over the foil. (This doesn't exactly address the problem, however. But the tape does trap light nicely, which is one of my concerns with paint.)
2) Try (probably unsuccessfully) to peel the tape off, then paint (over a residue, most likely).
3) Spend the $25 on new containers (pain in the ass), then paint.

(The moral: think things through.

)

justanotherbozo · #2 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 11:16 AM

first, high and welcome to Green Passion, you'll find many good people here
with lots of experience willing to help.

now, if i could have spoken to you before you built that Rubbermaid i would
have suggested you use paint as it's much cheaper than foil tape, plus, paint
doesn't conduct electricity.

in any event, now that it's done, just go with it until you upgrade. (if you
harvest even a moderate amount of your 'own grown', you will upgrade)

also, if you followed smokedoja's excellent tutorial then you should be safe
as his instructions show very clearly how to wire it safely.

you should also be good to go with the heat issue as his build includes an
exhaust fan.

good luck and happy growing!

caerulipes · #3 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 08:27 PM

Thanks, bozo. (Really, a bit of reassurance on the foil tape was all I needed - I get a bit nervous about the little things sometimes. Smokedoja's plants looked great.) I'm using 2, 80mm fans rather than one 120mm, but larger containers and more light; when I get the chance, I'll leave it on for a few hours and see how temps look. Best/only way to figure it out for sure, right?

justanotherbozo · #4 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caerulipes

Thanks, bozo. (Really, a bit of reassurance on the foil tape was all I needed - I get a bit nervous about the little things sometimes. Smokedoja's plants looked great.) I'm using 2, 80mm fans rather than one 120mm, but larger containers and more light; when I get the chance, I'll leave it on for a few hours and see how temps look. Best/only way to figure it out for sure, right?

yeah, you have to test to be sure your environment is ok with everything on.

CoNtRoVeRsIaL · #5 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caerulipes

2) Aluminum, which is the shiny, "foil" part of this tape, conducts electricity. I'm curious if the foil tape does. This calls for an experiment (battery, wires, and tiny light bulb, anyone?), but I'm nowhere near my cab, and won't be for about a month. I wouldn't exactly feel comfortable reaching into a four-foot-tall electrocution hazard - power off or not - to care for my greenery each day. You understand, I'm sure.

I went to Lowes bought the FOIL TAPE a product by Shur Tape ( I Work at a plant where we make the latex and adhesives to apply to make the tape)

And ive been using it for awhile now, It works great for me,
Never been shocked,or anything,

Just go buy the tape, Measure out the size strip's you need to cover your rubbermaid tub,and apply evenly,

Like i said works great for me, no burn spot's, or anything
GoodLuck!

SomeDude · #6 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 06:57 PM

If are really worried about shock hazard, attach a ground wire to the foil (and actually ground it too :-D )

caerulipes · #7 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 08:47 PM

Thanks, all!
I have it more or less completed. (I can put up a few pics this week - it's nice.) I'm supplementing my PC fan vents (2 80mm fans) with an inline duct fan (the skinny kind)...leading to another question:
I have a choice between 4, 6, 8, and 12 inch fans. I figure anything over 6 is overkill, as my box dimensions are 28"w, 16"d, 36.5"h, and I'll be running 8-10 26-watt CFLs.
The 4" fan I'm looking at offers 80CFM. The 6" is 160 as-is, but goes up to 250 with a booster attachment. Would either be adequate to exhaust through either 4-6ft of duct to the outdoors? How about a carbon filter?

4" Fan: High Tech Garden Supply
6" Fan: High Tech Garden Supply

Quote:

Originally Posted by SomeDude

If are really worried about shock hazard, attach a ground wire to the foil (and actually ground it too :-D )

After giving it some thought, I figure the foil is touching the metal fixture housing, which is grounded through the cord (i.e., the ground wire of the fixture is wired to the ground wire of the power cord). This grounds the the fixture, foil and all, correct?

justanotherbozo · #8 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 09:23 PM

those inline fans are available locally to you too, at Lowes and Home Depot,
which would eliminate any paper trail.

also, it's been my experience that those fans are too loud and too weak so
you won't be happy with the result.

what that meant for me was that, as soon as i had the dough, i had to replace
that inline fan that had proved to be inadequate with a proper fan.

so, for me at least, cheaping out actually cost me more 'cause i had to buy
twice.

here is a link to a site that has the same fan i'm installing in my new cab and,
while it is also loud enough to need muffling, it really moves some air.

Ecoplus 180 CFM Industrial Grade Blower - Plantlighting Hydroponics

here is a pic of my DIY with an 8 inch inline fan at it's heart and a pic of the
new fan.

if you have any grow shops in your area they will certainly carry these fans
in several sizes as well as a few different sizes of axial fans, the same as a
pc fan, only bigger and pre-wired to run on 110 volt current. which might be
more what you need in a rubbermaid

caerulipes · #9 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 09:46 PM

Axial fans look great. I'm torn between those, and the more cost-effective blower, and the fan here: Valueline 4 Inch 144 CFM Centrifugal Inline Fan - Plantlighting Hydroponics.

justanotherbozo · #10 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 10:15 PM

i've never owned one of those so i don't have any opinion other than it looks
like it would be more than adequate.

keep in mind that smokedoja's tutorial uses pc fans which, for him and others
who have duplicated that exact rubbermaid, have proven to be good enough.

keep in mind also that someday you'll want to upgrade into a cab of some sort as
that would be more stealthy than the rubbermaid, that might be the time to
get yourself either a blower or one like that last link you posted.

here's a couple pics of my new flowering cabinet which is still a work in progress
although i'm nearly done. (i got this at a local Salvation Army for $50.00USD)

the DIY cooltube is for 2x 150watt HPS lights i bought just before Xmas for
$20.00 each. sadly, they've been discontinued.