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How to build reflector for HPS light?

20 years ago

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum.

Recently I bought one of those Gavita 600W bulbs w/ the built-in reflector. I checked with the light meter and it seems that most of the light is being dispersed out to the sides. Right near the light there is 8,500 and even up to 15,000 fc 6 inches away. But even a foot out or down the light drops off way too fast. It didn't drop off so fast w/ my other light (a 400W Hydrofarm system). It seems to me that a broader reflector would help. But I don't want to buy anything else.

My goal was to have an area at least 4x4 ft directly beneath lamp that gets about 5,000 fc. (the light puts out 98,000 lumens I think). Reading the literature I thought that was possible w/ a 600W lamp, but I am not getting that and, as I'm kind of a disaster at math, have been unable to do the calculations to figure exactly what I should be getting.

I've read some of the posts on making reflectors out of circular metal vent material for fluorescents, but I don't know if they will spread out enough or be wide enough for what I need.

I've also read it's possible to make a reflector out of aluminum foil, but I don't know exactly how to do it.

If anyone has suggestions on how I can build a reflector for this light I would be very grateful. Thank you for any advice or thoughts. I'm kind of groping in the dark right now.

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