| Mini DIY
| Though
it does work, and would work especially well for a small vine, the
results were less than hoped for. On the bright side (pardon our puns),
filling both compartments with bulbs makes a good reading lamp.
Parts - scrounged or bought:
2 “AAA” Battery Holder
Model:
270-398 | Catalog #: 270-398
$0.99
34-3/8"
Replacement Telescoping Antenna
Model: 270-1402 | Catalog #:
270-1402
$4.99
3-12V Regulated 1000mA AC
Adapter
Model: | Catalog #: 273-029
$18.99
Project
Enclosure (7x5x3") *
Model: 270-1807 | Catalog #: 270-1807
$5.99
-- Be sure the transformer you buy/scrounge fits completely inside this
box.
Automotive Dome light LED (three LED's) Festoon
SMT 3 LED Light
via
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/
commerce.cgi?product=CAR&keywords=&cart_id=9666882.17057
&next=5
$7.95 ea. - look for festoon, get the 42mm bulb
AC
power cable with inline switch - scrounged
Tools and
other supplies:
Solder
Soldering iron
Electrical
tape
phillips head screwdriver
wire cutters
2
part epoxy paste
displosable gloves
This is
a time constrained hack, so it's UGly with a capital UG. I used a
replacement light from superbrightleds.com. I could put two in the AAA
Battery adapter, but I like it in my car, and haven't gotten around to
buying another one.
I started by being sure all the
parts fit in their respective places: the transformer MUST fit inside
the box, and there must be room for the "strain reliefs" (knots in the
respective wires) inside the project box.
Donning
your disposable gloves, pull out enough two part epoxy paste to make
the connection for the antenna to the AAA battery holder. Molding this
onto the adapter, put the antenna into it and shape it. Let it dry
overnight.
 
Clip
an extension cord or lamp cord off, strip the ends and solder them
onto the prongs of the AC adapter. Let cool, then cover completely with
electrical tape. Mine has an "integrated on/off switch" - nice if
you're trying to remove phantom loads around the house.
Cut
the end off the AC Adapter's other end and leave as much wire as you
can, as this will allow you to extend the antenna full length. Tin the
ends and solder them onto the AAA battery holder's wires.
You
can put the bulbs listed above in either direction, as they've got the
supporting circuitry right on the back of the bulbs. If you decide to
put in only one, tack a piece of wire into the empty compartment from
one connection to the other so the circuit will complete.
Place
the transformer in the box sideways, and see how it fits. Remove the
transformer, and decide where the antenna is going to be and put some
of the double sided foam tape there.
Cut notches into the box on either side where the wires will come out,
and into the top where the antenna is going to be.
Since
my transformer was small enough to flop around, I folded a piece of
corrugated cardboard a couple of times to make tension on the
transformer This also pressed and held the antenna onto the foam tape,
keeping that snug as well. . Just for safety's sake, I pointed the
prongs opposite the antenna.
After screwing the
lid on, it looks - er - well, it works! It can go from about seven
inches to about 35"
I
had a tomato plant that was growing straight up to the light every
morning, about an inch worth of growth every day. I repotted it and am
now starting basil under this light to see how it fares. More pics to
follow.
| | 
Mini
Grow Light extended
| |
