Not getting hot?...

[achilles]

After reading a bunch of threads here, I decided to buy the high tech garden supply 400w HPS to keep my basil, peppers, other herbs, etc. going through the winter.
Its definitely bright, but it doesn't seem as hot as other people seem to make of them so I was thinking I might have an under powered ballast or something.
I can keep my hand just 6 inches below the bulb and it only feels warm leaving it there a minute or two (this is after the bulb has warmed up).

Just curious, as from other talk I was expecting to have to get a cooltube, and now it seems like I can keep them 8 inches away with no trouble... whats going on?:wtf:

achilles Reviewed by achilles on 11-18-2009. Not getting hot?... After reading a bunch of threads here, I decided to buy the high tech garden supply 400w HPS to keep my basil, peppers, other herbs, etc. going through the winter. Its definitely bright, but it doesn't seem as hot as other people seem to make of them so I was thinking I might have an under powered ballast or something. I can keep my hand just 6 inches below the bulb and it only feels warm leaving it there a minute or two (this is after the bulb has warmed up). Just curious, as from other Rating: 5

[JackdaWack]

Sounds like a typical 400 watter, the biggest issue people have is that they cram a 400w hid light into a small area.
The general overall temp of the room is the issue not the temp of the bulb, an 400 watter could be as close to 10" with out any type of cooling, with a cool tube u could be pretty much right on top of the canopy give or take a few inchs. The bulb itself could be the issue too, not the ballast. You could look into what bulb they gave you.