HPS in a regular lamp?

[PAT14206]

Does a hps bulb require a special fixture i know ive read alot about these ballast for the real high wattages but for a 50 watt or so hps bulb does it need any kind of special fixture or can any fixture that can handle that wattage support a HPS bulb,
Thanks in advance.

PAT14206 Reviewed by PAT14206 on 02-11-2008. HPS in a regular lamp? Does a hps bulb require a special fixture i know ive read alot about these ballast for the real high wattages but for a 50 watt or so hps bulb does it need any kind of special fixture or can any fixture that can handle that wattage support a HPS bulb, Thanks in advance. Rating: 5

[YungLocq]

I asked this same question a week ago but got no reply i thank you need a HPS Lamp but i was gonna try and make my own lamp and have the raw wire touch the 50watt bulb and hope everything goes good but if everything goes bad well it could mean nighty night for me or a power outage

[Fencewalker]

HPS requires it's own ballast. I would strongly not recommend trying that, Yung.

[hybridlove420]

i believe an hps lamp needs a sparker to get it started. (may be the mh tho)

either way, seeing as how its never done, im assuming your idea either doesnt work or is unsafe.

[stinkyattic]

You NEED the ballast.
Security-light HPS have built-in ballasts housed in the metal light fixture which is why you don't notice them when you buy the fixture.
Even flourescent lights need a ballast- that's why the base of a CFL feels so heavy. There's one stuffed in there!

[twoguysupnorth]

i asked the same thing too, yes you need to have a ballast. either built in or seperate.

[cigarettes42]

i bet if you even tried it and it worked that you would have a serious fire hazard on your hands without using the ballast made for that particular bulb

[psteve]

I asked this same question a week ago but got no reply i thank you need a HPS Lamp but i was gonna try and make my own lamp and have the raw wire touch the 50watt bulb and hope everything goes good but if everything goes bad well it could mean nighty night for me or a power outage

Don't do it!!!
I can tell you RIGHT NOW that it will not work, and you risk an exploding bulb in your face!!!!

[stinkyattic]

If you do that after all this advice to the contrary, you are a good candidate for a Darwin Award. DON'T DO IT. A few CFLs will give you as much light as a 50w hps anyway- those things are kinda pointless- and yes, I too have grown some ugly stretched plants under a security light back in the day... NOT WORTH IT.

[psteve]

A few CFLs will give you as much light as a 50w hps anyway- those things are kinda pointless-

Exactly so.
Most growers agree, the point where HID becomes more efficient than CFL or T-5 is somewhere above 200 watts.
IE, unless you're getting more than a 150 watt HPS, the CFL's are going to be just as efficient.