MH and HPS conversions

[smoknjoe]

So, if I understand this correctly....

They make MH conversion bulbs that can be used with both MH and HPS ballasts.

and

They make HPS conversion bulbs that can be used with both MH and HPS ballasts.

Is this right? So, if I wanted to use MH during veg and HPS during flowering, I could buy a MH system and an HPS conversion bulb, or I could buy an HPS system and a MH conversion bulb, right?

Is one method cheaper to purchase? Is one method more efficient? Is one method better for the crop?

Thanks for ANY insight on the topic.

joe.

smoknjoe Reviewed by smoknjoe on 03-28-2006. MH and HPS conversions So, if I understand this correctly.... They make MH conversion bulbs that can be used with both MH and HPS ballasts. and They make HPS conversion bulbs that can be used with both MH and HPS ballasts. Is this right? So, if I wanted to use MH during veg and HPS during flowering, I could buy a MH system and an HPS conversion bulb, or I could buy an HPS system and a MH conversion bulb, right? Rating: 5

[BOYZNUS]

YOU CAN RUN A MH CONVERSION BULB IN A HPS BALLAST AND A HPS CONVERSION BULB IN A MH BALLAST. NOT IN BOTH BALLASTS.

SO, IF YOU HAVE A HPS SYSTEM NOW, YOU CAN BUY A MH CONVERSION BULB, AND RUN IT IN THE HSP BALLAST. BUT IT STILL MUST BE THE SAME WATTAGE.

THAT SOUND RIGHT?

[karmaxul]

The ignitor of the HPS ballest does not effect the MH bulb life span or anything?

[karmaxul]

You can but you need to know how to rewire the ballast to take the HPS igniter out of the circuit. all it takes is one slide switch and you can run MH bulbs and HPS bulbs.

Mh use transformer to cap to socket and HPS use transformer to cap to ignator to socket.

Get it?

But you can't go from Mh to HPS by adding an ignator. most MH transformers have one less wire to power the ignator. It takes 2 different voltages to light up and run the HPS bulbs.

Well I found my answer thanks again Zandor

[smoknjoe]

Boyznus: I believe the point of conversion bulbs is that they can be used in both ballasts. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Karmaxul: Is that discussion regarding the use of regular MH bulbs in HPS systems?

I'm specifically asking about the use of conversion bulbs.

[smoknjoe]

Boyznus: After thinking about it more, you might be right. I know that the wattages must match. So, a MH conversion bulb cannot be used in a MH ballasts? Is this correct?

Ugh, this should not be this confusing.

[smoknjoe]

I just found the answer in the Overgrow FAQ....I would still like to know if its better to use an HPS ballast or MH ballast.

A Conversion bulb offers you the opportunity to switch the bulb in your Halide or Sodium fixture without changing ballasts.

Many cannabis gardeners prefer Halide light for vegetative growth and a Sodium light during blooming but a separate fixture is normally required. A Conversion bulb is a convenient option when you only have room for a single fixture but want the advantage of both Sodium and Halide lighting.

Please note:

High intensity discharge conversion bulbs are system specific. Sodium conversion bulbs are designed to be used in metal halide or mercury vapour fixtures only. Halide conversion bulbs are designed to be used in high pressure sodium fixtures only.

[Chris Seekins]

...I would still like to know if its better to use an HPS ballast or MH ballast.

The ballasts use the same energy so in that field it does not matter obviously

A mh convertion will give more blue and a hps convertion will give more yellow.

What are you asking, which is better for what, they have different purposes?

Look up the degree Kelvin for each bulb if you are interested in the spectrum they produce and I can show you how to convert it into nanometers and the average color of the bulb.

[BlueDragonSmoke]

both ballast are almost the same ... both humm..both get hot/warm and they both need to stay cool as possible for a long happy life ...power is the same except a hps bulb or conversion bulb in either ballast will consume more electric when the bulb is losing its power cause of age...mh does not

[BlueDragonSmoke]

so no matter what you get it is a VERY good idea to buy a light meter