Dimming a magnetic ballast?

[XXXJAYXXX]

Is it possible? I am running 1000w HPS in a space only 4.5ft tall and its obviously TOO MUCH... Im trying to avoid replacing all my ballasts as I got them super cheap.... but it would be nice to tone down the amount of light hitting the plants.. Any ideas?

[Mainely Growing Weed]

Is it possible? I am running 1000w HPS in a space only 4.5ft tall and its obviously TOO MUCH... Im trying to avoid replacing all my ballasts as I got them super cheap.... but it would be nice to tone down the amount of light hitting the plants.. Any ideas? hmmm my local hyro store was hit by a smash ands grab gang they got away with lots of lights and balasts. So where do you buy your "super cheap" ballasts?

[low_rdr]

If you have a digital adjustable sure. But it sounds like you don't. Its possible to supply it with less power, or to put a dial on the cord to the light, but I'd have to say, as an engineer, I don't know the internal parts, and even if I did, different manufacturers quite possibly will use different parts, resisters and power relays in-particular (that's why many laptops use different connectors, etc). So in theory this COULD be done, however, doing it not only voids any warranty, but may be likely to blow your ballast as well. If I was diong it on a junk spare, I'd probably try it to see how long it lasts, but honestly.... Why? As stated before, you CANNOT have too much light. I understand this might be a bit of overkill, but LST and scrog more, make that canopy work for the light.

I have the opposite issue, I have 660 watts in a 3' verticle space, and I had to trim my canopy to allow light through - Don't get stuck with my issue, be happy with yours! As for broken into hydro stores.... Only hydro stores I know that get robbed are ones with sticks up their asses... It's a passion, admit it :)


Didn't they rob the hydro store on trailer park boys?

[LOC NAR on probation]

If you have a 1000 watt ballast you can reduce the size of the bulb only. Do not use a dimmer you wil have problems and maybe fire.

So I'm running a 1000 watt hps and a 400 watt mh conversion bulb in a 1000 watt hps balast. I also run a 250 hps bulb in a 1000 watt hps ballast. Do not mix hps and mh they wil burn out. Unless it's switchable ballast or conversion bulb.

So bottom line is Equal to or smaller bulb in a balast. NEVER a larger bulb than the ballast. It will explode.

[XXXJAYXXX]

Ive had these for well over 6 months now.. And they are bare kits.. not in boxes.. im just trying to get the most height out of the plants.. im not a thief.. lol

Ive heard quite the opposite regarding bulbs... Ive heard of many guys running 1000w bulbs on 600w ballasts.. but ive never heard the opposite.. in fact.. Ive heard many people say this is a BIG no-no as the bulbs could explode because they are being overdrivin...

And no they are not dimmable ballasts... Otherwise I wouldnt have this problem.. I was just wondering if anyone had come across a device for doing something like this?

[XXXJAYXXX]

Not to mention I live on the other side of the continent.. and in a different country... LOL... maybe have a look before you start accusing people bud.......

[LOC NAR on probation]

I'm an electrician, there is no OVERDRIVE. the watts of the bulb pull eletric through the ballast. the ballast never pushes electric out.
A larger bulb trying to pull a 1000 watts from a 600 watt ballast and you got overheating. What is going to give first ?
A 1000 watt ballast running at 600 watts runs kinda cool. Think about it.

[XXXJAYXXX]

Thanks man! Makes alot more sense when you explain it that way.. My misconception was that the ballasts ALWAYS put out their respective wattage no matter what.. but if its the bulb pulling the current that determins how hard the ballast works.. that makes WAY more sense! I will grab some 600w bulbs and give it a try! Thanks!

Im still a little confused about the newer dimmable ballasts though... If you had say a 1000w bulb hooked up to a dimmable ballast... would this not have the same effect on the bulb if it is constantly trying to pull 1000w from a ballast that been "dimmed"?? Seems kinda backwards from your explination... I guess thats where I got the assumption that the ballast determines the output wattage.. not the bulb......

[LOC NAR on probation]

Now we are talking Digital ballast. Dif animal and I am switching to those now. First impression they seems great. less power loss, cooler running.

Here's the thing. You should not be putting dif size bulbs in a digital ballast because you can dimm it. Something about the digi will give it that extra too much. A friend is testing our first lumatech 1000 with 1000 bulb running on 400 then 600 for veg room and so far we love it. Anoither friend is running a 1000 luma only on 600 for flower. When things get better and more space can be used your already for the 1000 watt power. plus it runs cooler and last longer running at a little over half capacity