DIY t5's heating up support brace.

[hansonfam]

HI everyone.

We installed 8 36 inch t5 bulbs in a hood today. I have a glass center brace about 1/2 inch thinck that is Really hot. Will it break? And if so how do i get around this.
Also the heat is warpping the board that it is mounted on.So now the top of the hood that opens with the lights on is now bent.

Where did we go wrong?

Thanks
Lisa

[fat-tony]

biggest thing is to have good airflow over the bulbs. many reccomend fans at the ends of the canopy blowing lengthwise over the bulbs. the t5's tend to get pretty warm and actually run more effeciently when they're a little cooler.

[sarduci]

How many fans did you install? The heat needs to be vented off.

[sherm71tank]

Gotta have that airflow!