My Rube Goldberg Lighting Apparatus

[Tom A To]

Only this year did I think of an easy way to raise and lower the seed starting lights. Don't know why I didn't think of this earlier. I think I got smarter as soon as I retired. Or maybe my hair is falling out and unclogging my brain.

[Wi-sunflower]

Nice.

But it's not nearly complicated enough to be called "Rube Goldberg".

Just kidding as I call myself a Rube Goldberg plumber. You know -- never go to the hardware store for the proper piece when you have 6 on hand you can put together to make it work LOL.

I also use that yellow rope for most everything too. Those are my "sky hooks" for hanging shelves in the greenhouse.

BTW, welcome to Tomatoville.

Carol

[Redbaron]

Well I like it myself!

[ginger2778]

I think it is clever, and I am asking myself why I didn't thinkof it!
Marsha

[Worth1]

Why do you have lights outside?

Worth

[Tom A To]

Originally Posted by Worth1

Why do you have lights outside?

Worth

Do you mean why do I have lights in a greenhouse? There are a number of reasons why:

1. They provide a constant light source regardless of the weather which can be quite cloudy on a lot of Winter days.

2. Days are short in Winter and early Spring. This way I get 17 hours of light regardless, albeit not as strong as real daylight.

3. Lighting is totally in my control.

4. The bamboo shading along the greenhouse walls is a pain to setup and/or remove. It is there to reduce the intensity of light and heat in the warmer months. There is not enough natural light for tomato starts with it installed.

5. There is also shade cloth above that hangs from the rafters. This greenhouse is home to my fern collection.

[Worth1]

I had no idea it was a greenhouse.

Sorry.

My ferns live outside along the side of the house.

Worth

[barkeater]

Dennis,

I'll have to save this thread for when I retire next year!

My present Rube Goldberg method is a set height (plastic milk crates) for the 2 - four foot long shop lights I use, and a large assortment of different height boxes, boards, and box lids to keep the 4 trays of assorted seedlings I start as close to the bulbs as possible without touching them.

I like your design better.

[Zana]

Thanks for sharing a great idea! I may borrow it.

Thanks
Zana

[Tom A To]

I should mention that on one hot day, I went into the greenhouse to find that one of the plastic ropes had slipped through the clamp that was holding it. Fortunately, no seedlings were harmed. I decided it was prudent to tie a knot in the rope to keep it from accidentally slipping. As the plants grew, I would tie a knot farther down the rope. The knot would keep the lights at the correct height and the clamps were used to hold the lights up high temporarily when I needed to water and tend to the plants.

[bughunter99]

Very nice set-up!