[Blackwater]

I just finish building my exposure unit today. I thought I would post some pics for you guys.
It is 46H x 37.5W x 29.5D. the glass is 28x36 1/4" tempered.The lamp is a 400w MH. It has Dayton 263cfm blower, and uses a Gast vacuum pump. A neoprene vacuum blanket. I have 3 switches mounted on the right side. 1 for the lamp, 1 for the blower, and 1 for the vacuum pump. the shutter is a Manuel design it slides out the front just a few inches below the glass. I burnt a few screens. looks like 2 mins does the trick. This is a big step up form the 500w halogen. that took 23min. what do you think?

click the picture for a larger image









exhaust

hose to lid




with shutter in place

with shutter out

looking down

shot of the shutter opening. this also doubles as the fresh air intake

front door open. easy access

internals

vacuum pump

ballast

lamp

inside out

dayton blower

20x24 screen

neoprene blanket under vacuum




left side

front

right side. 3 different color switches

 

[BroJames]

How long is your warmup for the 2 minutes burn time?

 

[Blackwater]

i let it warm up 3-4 min. you can tell when the lamp is hot and at it maximum output. I have the lamp 20" from bottom of the glass. with the shutter in place the screen area is light tight. no light leaks.

 

[ShirlandDesign]

Really nice craftsmanship. How strong is the vacuum pump you use?

 

[Blackwater]

Thank you!
I am not to sure how strong it is. It does not say on it, and I bought it used. I would say it is kinda strong. It is intended to evacuate a/c lines, it draws 4.2 amps. Probably a over kill, but I only paid $20 for it on ebay.

 

[Greghari]

Nice one, i'm making myself too, still on progress.
1k MH
Square beam frame
12mm glass
Neoprene blanket
1/4 HP vacuum motor
8" Fan
Timer

 

[foot print]

WOW..!!! that is very well built..!!! makes me want to rebuild mine..it makes mine look like I built it with my eyes closed..

 

[Blackwater]

WOW..!!! that is very well built..!!! makes me want to rebuild mine..it makes mine look like I built it with my eyes closed..

LOL!
Thank you

 

[KillerTees.ie]

Can you post instructions on how you built your vacuum lid? Ive a neoprene blanket for my unit but havent got round to making the lid yet, still using pressure for contact.

 

[1leonchen]

i am very interested in the build

 

[Blackwater]

Can you post instructions on how you built your vacuum lid? Ive a neoprene blanket for my unit but havent got round to making the lid yet, still using pressure for contact.

the lid is pretty easy. i would have liked to have the neoprene on the bottom of my lid, but i did not design the bottom with a location for the vacuum hose. this would have allowed me to use the neoprene its self for the gasket, but i desined it to have the hose mounted in the lid.
what you will need is to build a frame, figure out what side you want the neoprene on. if it is on the top like mine you will need a gasket between the lid, and the bottom.
after you build the frame. attach the neoprene to the lid using Gorilla Glue. follow the directions. this stuff works! make sure you clamp it or use a weight to apply pressure while it dries.
when you attach the hinges. screw them to the bottom first. when you go to screw them to the lid. apply pressure to the lid. to preload the hinges. this will insure that when the lid is closed it is putting pressure on the gasket. do the same when you attach the latches in front. make sure that when the latch is closed it is pulling the lid down into the gasket.

hope this helps you

 

[KillerTees.ie]

Thanks a million. Great job on the build btw.

 

[1leonchen]

what did u use for the gasket. nice build

 

[Kenla]

First off I must compliment your wonderful craftmanship. I have, for some time now been planning to convert a scrolling advertising unit with the following dimmensions 39"x30"x5" into an exposure unit. However I never took the vacum pump & blower into consideration, both very important & necessary components. My challenge & question is will the two fit into an enclouser which is only 5" deep? Can you advise me on the approximate size of the pump & blower as I can not find such information as yet on the net. Can't the pumpm & blower be installed outside of the unit.

 

[Blackwater]

what did u use for the gasket. nice build

dense foam weather stripping from lowes

 

[Blackwater]

First off I must compliment your wonderful craftmanship. I have, for some time now been planning to convert a scrolling advertising unit with the following dimmensions 39"x30"x5" into an exposure unit. However I never took the vacum pump & blower into consideration, both very important & necessary components. My challenge & question is will the two fit into an enclouser which is only 5" deep? Can you advise me on the approximate size of the pump & blower as I can not find such information as yet on the net. Can't the pumpm & blower be installed outside of the unit.

Thank you
No, neither will fit inside 5". The pump is 8"x8"x6". The blower is over 10" tall. You can mount both out side of the enclosure. the pump would be just fine sitting in the floor. The blower can be mounted to the side blowing into the enclosure. It only needs a 4"x4" opening. you would just need a large opening on the other side to vent out the hot air. I would say 4x6 at least.

 

[wonubee]

What size vacuum pump did you use?

 

[Kenla]

Thank you bro for your help.

 

[BlizzofOZ]

Hey Blackwater,

Very nice exporsure unit, very impressive!

I was hoping you could point be in the direction where you got the socket for the MH bulb.

Any info would be appreciated!

 

[Blackwater]

Hey Blackwater,

Very nice exporsure unit, very impressive!

I was hoping you could point be in the direction where you got the socket for the MH bulb.

Any info would be appreciated!

Thanks man!
It is called a MOGUL base. you can get them at any hydroponics store. Like bghydro.com or ebay. I think I have even seen them at Lowes