CPS: Continuous Production Systems Part IV
Vertical Water Cooled
Lighting - This water
cooled lighting system
allows for vertical
applications while also
allowing for horizontal
applications. For vertical
light distribution, the
horizontal reflector is
removed and eye bolts
are connected with 3/16”
bolt couplers.
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MAXIMUM YIELD USA - March 2009
area (directly under the lights). It also
restricts the capabilities of the CO2
enrichment system, because the CO2
generator is defeated by the activation
of the exhaust. This is accomplished by a
special controller that uses a relay system
to de-activate the CO2 burner when the
exhaust fan is cycled. Otherwise, a lot of
the CO2 generated would just be wasted.
To further improve the CPS model,
a closed loop or sealed room can be
created. Instead of using exhaust fans and
intakes, an air-conditioner will do a lot of
the cooling. The heat from the AC unit
still needs to be discharged away. Most
AC units blow the heat away, which can
be ducted away from the growing area or
water cooled air-conditioners can capture
any heat and drain it away very efficiently
(although they require a significant
volume of water to operate; typically a
minimum of 1.5 GPMs).
As humidity will no longer be exhausted,
a de-humidifier will be necessary,
although the AC will help to reduce
humidity levels while it cycles. A carbonscrubber should run 24/7 to help keep
the air clean and reduce the possibility of
plant diseases or other disorders, as well
as ensuring that the air remains smelling
fresh and clean. With the existing CPS
model featured in this series, very few
modifications to the growing area would
be required to make the switch.
To reduce power consumption from
the AC cycling frequently, the aircooled lighting and thermostatic fan
speed controller could remain installed,
removing a lot of the heat from the grow
lights before it ever enters the growing
area. To improve the efficiency of aircooled lighting, specially fabricated and
fitted thermal wrapping is available for
air-cooling ductwork, reflectors and fans.
The fabric-like material fits perfectly
over these items. FLIR (forward looking
infrared) guns have shown that the heat
inside the ductwork, reflectors and fans