Metal halides can equal FIRE!!!

Thanks all for your kind remarks.

P2B The pics are a great help thanks!

Levi.

 

How close where the bulbs to the wood? Was there anything inbetween? I just built my own canopy with dual 175's and now I am scared.
I put 4 computer fans into it.. two blow directly on the bulbs from the open rear, and two push air out from the sides. I have the bulbs on those mogul bases and they have about 2" of space between them and the top of the canopy. And there is a aluminum refelctor there also. Before I put the fans in, the top of the canopy would get really hot..(the wood) and once I added the fans the wood is now cool to the touch. I can actually feel hot air blowing out of the output fans.
I dont think I should worry, but I am always scared of this stuff...
What was your setup like?

 

I only had an inch above the reflector and the hood, the light fitting was an inch below that..

Now the only reason i can think that this happened is due to the use of chipboard in the hood rather than proper wood

If you are overly worried then do as dx7fd2 suggests and use epoxy paint..... but i am sure you have nothing to fear as long as you are venting out most of the heat.

Levi

 

So you had a gap of 1" between the refector and the wood canopy? I just have the reflector screwed right against the wood. and the bulbs are about 1 1/2" below that.,

 

[quote author=Midnight Madman link=board=lighting;num=1107981724;start=0#11 date=02/09/05 at 20:27:18]How close where the bulbs to the wood? Was there anything inbetween? I just built my own canopy with dual 175's and now I am scared.
I put 4 computer fans into it.. two blow directly on the bulbs from the open rear, and two push air out from the sides.
[/quote]

Fans are a great idea in a MH hood, but you shouldn't blow air directly on the bulbs. Cooling the bulbs prevents them from operating at the correct temperature, which often has an effect on the PAR value and color output. Stick to sucking air out of the canopy and you should be in good shape.

 

wow. really? I have never heard that before! .. my fans are blowing DIRECTLY on my bulbs.. Anyone else hear of this before?