Some questions on 600W setup

[TestPilot]

A few questions:

1. Looking for opinions or options on a 600W digital, dual voltage ballast. SS Galaxy looks good. If you had the choice, would you run 120 or 240?

2. The galaxy 600W ballast is compatible with these bulbs. Is one notably better than the others? (In other words, which one would you buy?):

Grolux, Plantastar, Philips C600, Eye LU, GE, SolarMax, SunMaster SL, SolarMax MH conversion lamps, SunMaster MH conversion lamps, Gavita.

3. GH or AN 3-part?

4. Anything else needed other than FloraKleen, CM+, pH up/down?

5. For you DWC'ers, any idea how many 4-bucket grows 1 gallon jugs of the above listed nutes will last after topoffs, res changes, etc...?

Thanks.

[postmandave]

I would run a 240 volt its said ti be cheaper.the mh conversoin is sensable optoin , i couldnt tell you about the choice of nutes as never used them.but would also advise you look at some sort of bud boost additives.be safe the postman

[Tokudai]

120 volt and 240 volt will be ultimately the same price to run - you get billed by kilowatts. Which is more convenient for you and which is the room wired for?

Digital ballasts and conversion bulbs - no idea, but I personally stay away from digital for now, as they seem to be very hard on bulbs. I also don't use conversion bulbs, I run dual spectrum throughout

GH or AN - your choice. Both have proven excellent results. Which is easier to get?

The DWC club should be able to point you in the right direction for the other ???s

[TestPilot]

I would run a 240 volt its said ti be cheaper.the mh conversoin is sensable optoin , i couldnt tell you about the choice of nutes as never used them.but would also advise you look at some sort of bud boost additives.be safe the postman

Any suggestions on the bud booster? I've heard yes/no things about using them. Is the difference noticeable? Floralicious, FloraKleen, CM+ and Hygrozyme are already on the list.

[TestPilot]

120 volt and 240 volt will be ultimately the same price to run - you get billed by kilowatts. Which is more convenient for you and which is the room wired for?

240V is the way to go..was supposed to be more a question of amperage, but that looks to be resolved.

Digital ballasts and conversion bulbs - no idea, but I personally stay away from digital for now, as they seem to be very hard on bulbs. I also don't use conversion bulbs, I run dual spectrum throughout

I see that some digital ballasts have soft-start technology. I also like the power saving, switchable (though no use for 600W MH) and dual voltage features.

As for bulbs, for those that use HPS, there is a choice of Agrosun Red and Hortilux ($20 more). Is it worth the extra $20?

GH or AN - your choice. Both have proven excellent results. Which is easier to get?


Both are easy to get.

The DWC club should be able to point you in the right direction for the other ???s
Got some answers on this. thanks.


Also, can anyone recommend an accurate and modular (replacable sensors) pH/EC/TDS tester?

Has anyone used this design?:
How to Build a Four Light Grow Light Controller for Less Than $80 (http://www.hydroponics.net/learn/grow-light-controller.asp)

Thanks.

[TestPilot]

What's an average CFM needed for cooling one or two 600W hoods?

[dank4life]

im running one of those galaxy ballasts with a hortilux bulb. only had it about a month but the digi is smaller and runs cooler. id recommend it if space is a concern

[bongerstonerd00d]

Using Hortilux and no problems with a 600 Galaxy digi, huh? Its not listed as being compatiable on bghydro site, hmmmmmm. I'll give them a call later.

Fan size is determined by flange size on hood, not CFM size. Most sealed lights you can get with 6" or 8" flange. That would depend on how many you are going to daisy chain together.

One other tidbit, put fans on their own breaker so if lights kick their breaker the fans keep running to cool lights.

Oh, and I prefer 240 versus 110. Draws less Amps, but uses same amount of power. Unless you are an electrician (or have one as a buddy), 240 is not practical for most home growers. Dont find many houses with 240 sockets mounted in every room.

Goin green,
b0nger

[TestPilot]

Using Hortilux and no problems with a 600 Galaxy digi, huh? Its not listed as being compatiable on bghydro site, hmmmmmm. I'll give them a call later.

Fan size is determined by flange size on hood, not CFM size. Most sealed lights you can get with 6" or 8" flange. That would depend on how many you are going to daisy chain together.

One other tidbit, put fans on their own breaker so if lights kick their breaker the fans keep running to cool lights.

Oh, and I prefer 240 versus 110. Draws less Amps, but uses same amount of power. Unless you are an electrician (or have one as a buddy), 240 is not practical for most home growers. Dont find many houses with 240 sockets mounted in every room.

Goin green,
b0nger


Fan size would be determined by heat from the light and CFM needed, not the vent size. You can get flange adapters in sizes to fit most hoods. Sorry, I guess I phrased the question wrong...I'm looking for someone who runs a 600W hood with a specific CFM fan and maintains a good avg temp. You can figure out CFM for an array of lights by multiplying CFM needed for one light by the total array and factoring in an additional percentage for your extra duct runs. Say, 270CFM for 2 x 600W.

So what are you 600W people using to cool your hoods?

My friend has always gone with the method of lights and hood cooling on the same circuit. What happens if your cooling circuit is tripped? Your lights are still running hot. If they're on the same circuit, any trip will cut out both. No lights, no need to cool them.

[TestPilot]

About the bulb compatibility, I don't see why dank4life would have any problems...As far as I know the Eye LU600 is the Eye Hortilux Super HPS 600W.




Superior bulb compatibility! The Galaxy electronic ballast has been tested with the following lamps: 600W HPS - Grolux, Plantastar, Philips C600, Eye LU, GE, SolarMax, SunMaster SL, SolarMax MH conversion lamps, SunMaster MH conversion lamps, Gavita. 400W HPS - Grolux, Plantastar, Hortilux, GE, Sylvania LU, SolarMax, Philips C400, Gavita, Hortilux HPS conversion. MH - GE, Philips, Sylvania standard and super lamps, SolarMax, SunMaster regular and super lamps, Warm Deluxe, Cool Deluxe, Neutral Deluxe, AgroSun.

[dank4life]

yeah test, i havent had any probs w/ my light. its on its first grow and its the first light i had since this little sun systems 250w mh with the ballast enclosed in the hood way back in 98. that being said, i am no expert on the subject but the galaxy is cosmetically appealing. its small (looks like a stereo amp, all adonized and stuff, with those cool heat sinks), almost cool to the touch, and u can go 240 or 110. only draws like 6amps too so i get to put more toys in my room. i mean, an old sales trainer of mine said "features tell, benefits sell", and this thing is definitely stylish. but i digress. i cool it with glass and a 6" 180cfm inline can fan. the fan has about 4ft duct between it and the light, and exhausts into a carbon filter in the closet my growbox is in. not very effective since my ac intake is in the closet my growbox is in and just sucks the hot air coming out of the filter. my legs broken though, so nothing i can do about it. so, thaths my story and i'm sticking to it

[dank4life]

and yes, test, you are correct. i'm using that eye lu

[GaGrown]

I have 4- 600 watters and the best bulb that I have found to use is the Sylvania Gro-Lux and the Sunmaster. I used a light meter on both bulbs and they claim it produces 95,000 lumens with a magnetic ballast. The digital ballast will produce 112,000 lumens.They are all Future-Brite ballasts,120volts.They have saved me some money on the electric bill,too!Hope you get the most from whatever you choose to buy!

Ga Grown!

[GaGrown]

What's an average CFM needed for cooling one or two 600W hoods?

With 1 600 watter,I used a 265 cfm fan. Now with 4 600's I use a 265 inlet and a 265 and 465 exhaust. Really need to have 2 465's.I have 4 Pro Ultra lite hoods.Great hoods and very versatile with not alot of headspace.

Ga Grown!

[xcrispi]

Sup ,
I do 4 buckets at a time in a hybrid dwc system and have found G/H nutes to be cheaper w/ same results as the AN . I grow larger plants than most do though and I can get 2 grows out of 3 pt. gallons but have shitloads of grow left over . You'll find you use micro -n- bloom at much faster rates .
Peace
Crispi :jointsmile:

[postmandave]

Im currently using a Electronic Digital All in One 600W
Greenhouse Light with a 600W Planta-T High Pressure Sodium the reflector on this unit directs the heat directly down no heat above the reflector whatsoevr so it suits my needs perfectly its a great lamp for growing in open space thought it might be to hot for a smaller room or box .There is virtually no heat from the ballast and its very cost effective i use it along with a 1000 watt and i swear its brighter.does anyone else use this type lamp?.the postman.