So my entire setup changed when i read about CMH..

[KMK0420]

Was going to use a galaxy digital ballast with HPS & MH bulbs (i guess my info is a little outdated!)...

Now realizing that CMH can run on HPS ballasts, i can save money on a switchable ballast, and get a straight HPS ballast!

Question is though,

would this ballast:

http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/400w-hps-ss10-remote-ballast-p-1384.html

be able to run both 400 watt HPS (such as a hortilux) but along with a 400w CMH (either philips or the other company)?

at this point i don't see an advantage with a digital ballast..

 

[magiccannabus]

I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand CMH is great, but on the other hand, magnetic ballasts are energy hogs that produce way more heat than is really necessary. CMH could run on a digital ballast if someone would just design one to run them. A Hortilux Blue running on a digi ballast is pretty comparable from what I have seen, but I don't think the bulbs last as long. If ballast heat is absolutely no issue for you though, maybe this doesn't matter.

 

[Sloppy Seconds]

I made the switch to CMH, I have a 100 watt CMH for veg and a 400 watt CMH for flower.
For my 400 CMH all I needed was the ANSI S51 ballast (got it for $60 on ebay) it was one of those "kits" you put together but was very simple to do.
Good luck!

 

[KMK0420]

http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/400w-hps-ss10-remote-ballast-p-1384.html

will that ballast work with CMH? it doesnt say its magnetic..

 

[KMK0420]

anyone know if that ballast is compatible?

 

[fsaebud]

as long as its not digital it will work even some switchables have been used with sucess. from what i have been told CMH's need a little extra kick to ignite from long distances just fyi (long distance ignitors can be cheep but i dont know where to get them).

also make sure you get the Philips bulbs as there the ones that don't explode like a white hot grenade when they go out. http://advancedtechlighting.com/cdmed18.htm

if you get the other kinds you have to make sure your hood is rated for them because when they go it could be a very bad fire hazard.

gl with your set-up i am sure its gona be cheeper than the hps/mh combo. and yes it will run both hps and cmh with same ballast.

 

[Cali smoke]

Hey KMK, yes that ballast will work, I'm running the exact same one with my 400w cmh.

 

[HawaiianPunch]

whats hotter? 400w cmh or 400w cfl?

 

[magiccannabus]

400W CFL would definitely be somewhat hotter, though with all digital ballasts versus the magnetic ballast of the CMH, the difference wouldn't be all that great. CFL also means light from lots of angles. CMH means very good spectrum from one intense source. All depends on what you're doing with them. Design of cabinet and skill of the grower makes a big difference too. I'm running my whole veg chamber on 210W of CFL, in about 2 square feet, and it's going great. They grow slower than they did under metal halides, but they also grow much more densely. CFL or CMH are fine choices though, you'd certainly be happy with either I think.

 

[HawaiianPunch]

how hot are the 100 watt cmh? can they plug into regular outlets? do you need to mod them to take out of original housing or use as is? would using them with fluoros boost a set up, or would adding more fluoros be the same as adding a cmh? im guessing ill get deeper penetration if i throw a lil cmh in there

 

[wickedpete66]

My .02 cents I find no difference in heat between my lumatek and hydrofarm magnetic ballasts, In fact i think my magnetic ballast is cooler to the touch than the lumatek also for what its worth the lumatek will not fire a cmh it will kill it instantly.

 

[dbfr3sh]

i got a nice nextgen electronic ballast and it has fans that keep it running about 72*c but im using a 400w hortilux super hps too

 

[Thundurkel]

as long as its not digital it will work even some switchables have been used with sucess. from what i have been told CMH's need a little extra kick to ignite from long distances just fyi (long distance ignitors can be cheep but i dont know where to get them).
.

Ok I'm confused you say no digital's but some switchables have been used with success so am I to think my digi switchable could've been one of those that had success? My digi no name ballast I got fires a 10000K MH that takes a ANSI M59 ballast does this mean I may be able to run a CMH? Or a 3000K MH bulb?

 

[desert fox]

Ok I'm confused you say no digital's but some switchables have been used with success so am I to think my digi switchable could've been one of those that had success? My digi no name ballast I got fires a 10000K MH that takes a ANSI M59 ballast does this mean I may be able to run a CMH? Or a 3000K MH bulb?

nope. Totally different thought. 3000K is the color temp. CMH only go up to 400watts as of now. The bigger wattage are only able to run on magnetic HPS ballasts. The smaller ones run on electronic but its very specific. Do the homework before you get the bulb. The bulb you are looking for is actually the 4k philips master color.



Back to the original poster of the thread. The sun system ballast you posted will work fine firing CMHs

I have always been a big fan of magnetic ballasts. Cheap, effective whats not to love...Ok those bitches are heavy. A guy named sanjay did alot of bulb and ballast testing for reef tanks. Granted we are talking about MH....but still the Magnetic put out more PAR across the board with nearly all lamps. I just have a gut feeling that it is the same for HPS. Well mabee not now that the new lummatechs have the supper lumen switch. Also I hear complaints about people burning up alot of the specialty lamps with electronic ballast. Why be tied down with the lack of selection for bulbs? Just my take.