Are you searching for an environmentally sound and cheap solution for efficiently growing your indoor plants? As it turns out, old LED TV's are goldmines for reusable spare parts. Even if the TV isn't working anymore. Recently, I installed a small, full-spectrum indoor lighting system by reusing LED TV strips. A cool way to hack into your own grow setup!

The TV I received was an electronic donation, which I ended up using for up-cycling purposes. I believe its the more environmentally appropriate action to take. Money saving? Yes of course but also creatively re-purposes your electronic waste, thus, reducing your impact. TVs are thrown away by the millions every year! Most TVs are thrown into the dump and are still in working condition.

With all that said, it's a bit tricky extracting the diodes from the interior TV hardware. So this isn't exactly for everyone to take on, but also due to the fact that the screen is thinly filled with hazardous liquid, and the screens are prone to cracking and potentially spilling out. I've personally never experienced this, and I have experience taking apart electronics. Careful handling using safety gloves and proper tools is absolutely necessary. One of these devices can be fully disassembled in under two hours to completion. Be sure to plan some time ahead before taking your TV apart.

Now, getting to the more technical side of things - disassembly. I've applied a basic diagram to paper which is shared below. The first step is removing all the external screws and metal plates covering the internal hardware. Once you get to the LED's there are generally more screws to take out. The LED strips are also generally coated in light, sticky adhesive to prevent them from moving around but are not impossible to remove. Once I removed the LEDs, I then placed each LED strip by their sides and taped them together to form a dynamic lighting system. By twisting and connecting the positive and negative ends to the corresponding AC lines, I can draw current and consumption from 115V-220V AC and will likely trip off the breaker if the energy supply exceeds. The strips comprise a circuit that emits full spectrum output of light.

I'm searching around for more free LED TVs while I'm at it, in hopes that you as a grower should find this useful. Any and all feedback is welcome!

Lighting Specs: 94V/100W//1.06Ah/1060mAh

Equipment: AC outlet (single phase), power outlet surge protector, live wire adapter, alligator clips, full spectrum LED strips, JST input cable wires (in-series), electrical vinyl tape, and bungee cords for holding the lighting system in place.

Very cool idea.

Thanks Tony!

This is yet another reason for me to collect more junk off the streets. I was wondering about lighting solutions so your post is spot on - thanks CH!

This is awesome, great idea and thank you for sharing it here!

Brilliant DFZ!!

Thanks, brother, glad you are able to use what is available to you!

Praxis, thank you! I'll keep the thread updated on any new LED TV's I come across.

This is pretty darn cool. What are you using for the power supply? Is it the same basic concept as how you would wire up those LED 'strip' lights (those diodes that come in a roll that are used in grocery stores etc.)? I was going to tape some of those things up to the undersides of a bookshelf to convert it to a seedling/small plant station but never got around to it. The idea was to, ideally, have an on/off switch for every shelf and to minimize the amount of "extra" cumbersome wire as possible.

Thanks for the feedback!

Power is being supplied directly from the AC outlet through the surge protector, so at least 120V is required and converts to DC once it passes to the LEDs. I use the outlet bar as the on/off switch. I'm not sure about the grocery store diodes you're referring to. Yeah, the setup isn't pleasing to the eyes but it seems efficient for growing multiple plants at once. I was initially concerned about the cable wires drooping over the side and pulling weight down during operation but with enough zip-ties and vinyl tape proved to be effective.

Finally! A good use for a television!
Gracias!

Hurra! De nada.

Remember, Nexians, you want the LED (light emitting diodes) from the TVs, not the florescent lighting TVs.. which you can just get from a handful of light bulbs! If you want the best possible outcome in your searches, try to muscle 3-4 LEDs TVs if you can. Not only will you have more lighting options, power and emission for dozens of plants, you'll have saved hundreds if not thousands of dollars!

Please do post back here your feedback, findings, blueprints, installations, etc! And please do not post back here the company name, manufacturer, receipt, or other sensitive details originating from the devices.