MH ballast

[arod]

I have 2 250 watt MH bulbs, and i was wondering where i could get a ballast for them and what is the difference between electronic and not. Also how many plants can one bulb produce?

Thanks in advance for the help.

:rasta:

[slowthestone]

One 250 watt MH bulb is ballpark of 22-23k lumens. So that x2 is 44-46k lumens.

MH is meant for the vegitative cycle...when the plants are ready to be forced to flower...the MH bulbs will have to be replaced with HPS.

Unless you go with 250 watt HPS'...you'll end up having to buy a seperate ballast. Even then, if its not a 'switchable' ballast...one that will run both MH and HPS, you're still stuck forking out loot for an HPS ballast.

Electronic / digital ballast vs. magnetic ballast....electronic ballasts are lighter....smaller...no where near as hot...quiet...produce a more efficient light (they get more out of the bulb) which also makes them more cost effective...flexible in that most electronic ballasts can run either MH or HPS without any conversion...safer with built in overload/surge protection...and generally are nicer to look at than old school magnetic ballasts.

For about the same or only a bit more money at that.

[LIP]

The electronic/digital ballasts are the best, for the reasons above.

If you want a HPS it'd probably be easier for you to buy a HPS conversion bulb [If need be] and that'll run in your MH ballast.

[slowthestone]

I'm liking the specs on the euro-ballasts I've been seeing...

Two lights on one ballast sounds fine by me!

[latewood]

In answer to your question...I would search ebay/other lighting. you should be able to find one for 30 bucks or so, but 250MH is harder to find than 400watt...you don't have to replace MH...many older growers still use and some even swear by the yield and crop they get with MH..although HPS has been proven more efficient through flowering...It is not absolutely necessary...In fact I am flowering plants right now with a 1000MH agrosun gold bulb.

Now I am not saying that hps wouldn't be better to have...I am saying if you have 2-250watt MH, then that is 500watts of light you can use, until you feel comfortable upgrading.

this is for reference:
Most of us use 1000w hps hortilux...but I have been assured by more than one hydroshop owner, that the 1000watt hortilux blue metal halide is the Baddestass lamp on the Market. Just go to Eye Hortilux and look at the spectrum graph for the horti-Blue Caompared to the rest, including the 1000watt hps horti (I have one of these also, and no lie)...you haven't seen real buds...'til you grow with a 1000watt hortilux...peace

[slowthestone]

I'm liking the specs on the euro-ballasts I've been seeing...

Two lights on one ballast sounds fine by me!

Should note...

Thats only if there is a 240V power source which it splits into two 120V for two lights.

[latewood]

here is a link to 250w MH systems...
http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/items.asp?Cc=M2&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc=

do me a favor though...If you like this company go to hygronomics.com and look for flash banner size matters...click on logo and help me support my site...click on that link will take you to hydro store, and everything you would ever need to grow. peace