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Converting display stand to lighted stand help?

16 years ago

I have a tiered display stand (was for some energy drink, found in a dump, made of steel and really strong translucent yellow plastic shelves) I want to convert to a lighted stand for plants. It's got about 14" on each shelf and is triangular in shape (3 poles). The poles are hollow. I plan to run wire through the poles. I have a few options that I can think of... Little xenon under-cabinet lights either affixed to the underside of the shelf above or from each pole, 3 per shelf-ish; a larger circline fluorescent fixture, 1 per shelf; a single compact fluorescent bare bulb & fixture from the center of each shelf (hanging down). That's all I can think of.

I think the xenon would be too hot and not enough brightness (200 lumens per fixture from online), you? The circline would have the greatest brightness (600-1000 lumens) and least eye-offensiveness. The plain bulb would be by far the cheapest per lumen but also the ugliest and might glare a lot. But I can only find the circline in ceiling fixture type, not plug-in. Is it possible to wire them up to a plug-in cord or would that be a BAD idea? If it's not, where in the world can I find a reasonably priced circline fluorescent fixture that's not 5" thick? I'm reasonably handy and I've rewired lamps before but nothing like this (yet!).

I appreciate any input!

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Comments (2)

lucy
16 years ago
I've never heard of circline, and only of xenon in a very different context (if I'm even remembering that right). There's a Lighting forum on GW here and you probably should ask them what to do. I use T5 or T8 full spectrum fluorescents (vs halogen, incandescent or other sometimes suggested ones) as they're known to be the best (and least expensive effective ones) for tropicals - really the only things that should be grown indoors - and you can try various things, but they must be effective, not burn the plants or your house, and be relatively affordable. I'm not sure if you can find small bulbs for the above fluors., however, so post on the other forum for the best advice.
northernellie
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks! I posted there and included a pic too.
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