Combination HPS / MH light. Have you guys seen this?

[KaliGreen]

Sorry if this is already well known amongst everyone (Which it probably is, I just don't know cause I'm a NOOB) but, on the off chance it could help some people out, check this out, 600W Future-Brite HPS Electronic Ballast 120V (http://www.specialty-lights.com/902455.html) It's a combo HPS / MH with a built in cooling system which I plan on getting, so I can use it for vegging then flowering. Tell me what you guys think, lemme know if it would be a good buy, (I already know buying stuff off the internet is a risky deal, ie. paper trail, etc.)

P.S. It comes in 400 watt also, I dunno if it comes higher or lower than 400 and 600.

[gainesvillegreen]

A lot of digitals these days have dual capability... another fancy benefit of digitization :)

[KaliGreen]

Does anybody know if the cooling system built into the ballast for that light would be sufficient enough to regulate the temp in that hot ass 600watt light? I know there would have to be other significant ventilation.

[denial102]

Does anybody know if the cooling system built into the ballast for that light would be sufficient enough to regulate the temp in that hot ass 600watt light? I know there would have to be other significant ventilation.

hmm the manufacturer wouldn't sell a ballast that couldn't deal with the temp generated from the current of the ballast.. I thought it was just the analogue ones that got REALLY hot, no?

Could be wrong, but if your adding additional cooling I don't understand why you'd be so worried! Perhaps you mean can the ballast deal with the temperature generated by the light (in the same room).. hmm thats what they should be designed for, but most people tell you keep the ballast out the grow-room. If the ballast is built in and the light has cooling then yes of course it's designed to take the heat :-)

my 2 cents, goodluck with your grow homes,

Peace,
Denial

[gainesvillegreen]

The fans usually do no good anyways. On a digital, the ballast shouldn't get warm enough where a fan is of any use.

[GaGrown]

The fan in a digital is a part of the ballast that is needed for the digital to operate properly.If not kept at a consistant temp. it will cause stroboscopic problems. That would be flickering of the lamp due to overheating. Or just getting warmer than the board on the inside should.:thumbsup:

[GaGrown]

Sorry if this is already well known amongst everyone (Which it probably is, I just don't know cause I'm a NOOB) but, on the off chance it could help some people out, check this out, 600W Future-Brite HPS Electronic Ballast 120V (http://www.specialty-lights.com/902455.html) It's a combo HPS / MH with a built in cooling system which I plan on getting, so I can use it for vegging then flowering. Tell me what you guys think, lemme know if it would be a good buy, (I already know buying stuff off the internet is a risky deal, ie. paper trail, etc.)

P.S. It comes in 400 watt also, I dunno if it comes higher or lower than 400 and 600.

I use Future brites..That system is BAD ASS! Future-Brite is the Future! When you say combo,are you saying they can run a MH and HPS at the same time? Because they can't! You have to use a 600 watt conversion bulb... There is no such thing as a true 600 watt MH lamp/bulb.As far as the paper trail....... Just buy from a well known establishment that cares about their customers privacy..

[KaliGreen]

No, I know they don't run at the same time, you can just switch out the bulbs. I was wondering, do you guys think that something like this: Buy Sunlight Supply Super Sun 2 Air Cooled Grow Light Reflector Here! (http://www.specialty-lights.com/904300.html) would significantly keep the temps down? It's a air-cooled reflector system.

[GaGrown]

No matter which hood you use,if it's vented then it is always best!

[gainesvillegreen]

The fan in a digital is a part of the ballast that is needed for the digital to operate properly.If not kept at a consistant temp. it will cause stroboscopic problems. That would be flickering of the lamp due to overheating. Or just getting warmer than the board on the inside should.:thumbsup:

My point was that on high-end ballasts, you'll find no fan, because their ballasts don't get warm enough to warrant one. If you have a fan on your ballast, it either isn't doing any good, or the ballast is not tip-top.

[BobBong]

Lumatek , ftw.

[GaGrown]

My point was that on high-end ballasts, you'll find no fan, because their ballasts don't get warm enough to warrant one. If you have a fan on your ballast, it either isn't doing any good, or the ballast is not tip-top.


Go buy you a Future-Brite and use it for a month.. Oh,buy a light meter. Put the same lamp in your ballast and one in the Future-Brite.. I would be willing to bet that the lumen output will be greater,than with a another brand. I've tried several,and the future-brite outshinned the 4 others I tried. The fan is in the housing for a reason..

[hybridlove420]

The fan in a digital is a part of the ballast that is needed for the digital to operate properly.If not kept at a consistant temp. it will cause stroboscopic problems. That would be flickering of the lamp due to overheating. Or just getting warmer than the board on the inside should.:thumbsup:

really? my ballast has fins and a fan, and id swear its never gone above the ambient temperature. just air slits would provide sufficient colling id think

[GaGrown]

It's just like your body temp..... It functions better if kept consistant.

[deaner]

today i saw a 1000 watt, 600 hps, 400 mh combo, supposedly a better spectrum for blooming, dont know about growing, pretty expensive, but i guess you can see the difference after a day under it. The guy knows his stuff, working at a hydro/garden supply shop around here where everyone goin in is buying for the same purpose :smokin: i want one!

[GaGrown]

really? my ballast has fins and a fan, and id swear its never gone above the ambient temperature. just air slits would provide sufficient colling id think

It would depend on whether you had the ballast in the growroom near the light. Then your ballast would exceed 100 degrees.