Which Light To Use? Is There A Difference? PICS

Hello again everyone,

I was wondering if there is a difference in 400w HPS lights. My buddy gave me 6 bulbs that say "LUMALUX LU400 SYLVANIA" He also gave me one bulb that says "PHILIPS 430w SON AGRO" My ballast is a 400w HPS. Would one of these be better to use than the other. Also, ive heard that older bulbs can have different effects on your plants etc. How should i choose which one to use out of the six?

Picture: One HPS is already in my ballast and not shown, but in the pic, the 5 top ones are the "LUMALUX LU400 SYLVANIA" And the one on the bottom is the "PHILIPS 430w SON AGRO". Please tell me what you think.

Thanks

-SS

I would go with the Phillips.. The others look older.. Thus making the phillips the better choice!:)

Later

son agro is with out a doubt the better bulb but I'm not sure if the ballast can take it being that Son Agro is a 430 and your ballast is a 400w? I wanted to get that Son agro but I wasnt sure about the wattage on the ballast either?

Yeah thats what im worried about....... Would it be the kind of thing that i should just put it in, and if it works its fine and if it doesnt it doesnt, or could it ruin my ballast or pop the bulb? Experts, heres your chance.

I think the 430W will work fine with the 400W ballast. HPS both bulbs, right? Go for it.

Or, try and post a message in LateWood's thread... he's the electrical wiz.

You know i looked into it, and when you buy the bulb with the ballast, the ballast that comes with it is a 120v ballast, so i dont think it will pop. And i checked it out, the 430 Watt Son Agro HPS light bulb has a 30% increased blue spectrum in addition to the red/orange spectrum needed for fruiting, flowering and budding. So im sure this would be the better choice. (thats prolly why i only have one apposed to six) But if anyone knows if it would work in my 400w HPS ballast, that would be great.

-SS

Oh wow answered me while i was posting turtle. haha thanks ill try it and tell you what happens.

Wheres LW's thread?

if the bulb and ballast don't match wattage you're asking for trouble. if you have the right wattage for the ballst USE THAT ONE! anytime you mess with electrical equipment by using it in a way it wasn't designed for, you are at a much greater risk for electrical fire. however small that risk may be...why chance it! do you have kids? also you will shorten the life of the bulb and ballast.

JustaSeed, thanks for your reply

The only ballast i have is a 400w HPS ballast, im just trying to find out if my 430w Son Agro HPS bulb will work in it. I got the bulb solo so there is no ballast that come with it.

-SS

I think it was Zandor that used a higher wattage bulb with his ballast.. For months, or years.. I'm not entirely sure though...

What you should do is, make a test run for two days or so.. Just keep the Phillips on for 48 hours, and keep a close eye on it.. If nothing happens, and the temps and shit are fine, there will be nothing wrong with using it!:)

Go for it! :thumbsup:

I PUT IT IN, AND IT WORKS PERFECTLY! IM EXITED TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN BUDS. IT IS ALSO MUCH BRIGHTER.

-SS

Ill keep you posted and let you know if anything goes wrong.

keep a fire exstinguisher close by. not that i think you are at high risk for using a 430 in a 400 but it's better safe than sorry. you guys may think i'm just paranoid but if a fire does start you better be able to but it out yourself or your best hope is jail if not the hospital or dead! i was meticulus when wiring up my grows. everything i did is up to code. i would not be able to deal with the guilt if my children became homless or worse because my grow burned down the house! sorry if this post rambles on, i'm pretty stoned.

PowderPuff...how are you going to tell him to keep a close eye on something that might explode at like a bajillion degrees? :D

Sittin Stoney 420: I think you're dancing on burning coal right now by using it anyway. IMHO. Goodluck <3

Well shit..................im torn. Ive turned it off now because im scared, but i was so fucking exited. What i really need is someone who has actually done it to post and tell me if its cool. The thing is i tried it and left it on for a few hours and nothing happend. Wouldnt it have popped right away????? Well it would mean a WHOLE lot to me if someone with experience in this field would post.

Thanks so much for your answers so far

-SS

Well this is what i found on http://users.lycaeum.org/~npkaye/lightingfaq.html .......

"MH lamps are available in 175,200, 400 and 1000 watt sizes. HPS lamps come in 50, 75, 150, 400 and 1000 watt sizes. Son Agro comes in 430w only, but it works with a 400w HPS ballast. Each lamp requires its own ballast, which comes with the fixtures that are designed to use these lamps, and are also available separately."

So i think im fine....

lmao Da1KrayzieThug!:D

I know.. Sounds a bit dumb.. lol.. :) But you know what I meant lol!:)

Be careful, "keep a close eye on it" didn't mean he was supposed to get his eye like an inch away from it.. lmao.. Imagine how fast he would have gone blind!!:rolleyes: