newb to air cooled hoods

[aceofspades]

I have def. decided to buy a 600 watt air cooled reflector or cool tube. I am leaning towards a reflector because I feel it will be more efficient than a cooltube.

OK so what I want is a 600 HPS
I want it to be air cooled
I am not sure about electronic or magnetic ballast.

So what are your opinions, who here is running a 600 and what hood and ballast are you using?

Ace

 

[FreezerBoy]

Air cooled reflector testing with Digital footcandle meter

I think the Super Sun II comes out on top?

My CMH requires magnetic but, even if it didn't, I'm not one of those who feel digital ballasts are ready for Prime Time.

 

[zenoonez]

Magnum XXXL is the winning horse right now.

 

[NorthernKronic]

Magnum XXXL is the winning horse right now.

Read the thread.. Supersun II or Hydrofarm Radiant AC, or Silver Star.. Top of the line.. Best there is..

 

[AKDrifter]

I have the Supersun II with a 600 watt Galaxy ballast and the thing is excellent. I just upgraded to the 600 from a 400 (same set up).

The Supersun II refector runs very cool, I had the 400W in a 30x42" cabinet and temps were really easy to control with a vortex fan and variable speed control, no heat issues at all.

When I researched a new refector about a year ago this one came out on top as far as cool goes, which was very important in a cab.

 

[zenoonez]

Read the thread.. Supersun II or Hydrofarm Radiant AC, or Silver Star.. Top of the line.. Best there is..

Wait did I read the thread... did I read the post where he said the XXL had performed better than the Supersun? http://www.icmag.com/ic/showpost.php?p=2680646&postcount=561 Yes I did.

 

[mikeross]

If your only concern is footprint than the magnum xxxl has been proven to be the best but its big and heavy. The ss2 has only a slightly smaller footprint but has a much large hot spot than the xxxl. My next setup is gonna run 8 xxxl hoods and I am really looking forward to writing a report on my experiences with these reflectors... not to much first hand experience on these forums with the magnums... At least I haven't seen many people using them. My close friend up north told me the magnums are a lot better sealed than the ss2.

IMO you can't go wrong with either reflector. If you planning to run a light mover or move your lights often go with the ss2... their way lighter.

 

[FreezerBoy]

Wait did I read the thread... did I read the post where he said the XXL had performed better than the Supersun? http://www.icmag.com/ic/showpost.php?p=2680646&postcount=561 Yes I did.

Is that the one where he says "I still think the SS2 will be better for smaller areas with 600w lights" Why, yes, it is.

 

[aceofspades]

Ok well just got back from the hydro store, and I think the ss2 will work better for me. I heard the lumatek digital ballasts do not run all that well with a 600 application, is this true? I am leaning towards a galaxy or nextgen......any comments on this?

Ace

 

[mikecar312]

i've ran many lumateks - 600w/ss2 with hortilux bulbs for 2 1/2 years and didn't have an issues, but everyone's experience is different. i wanted to try the galaxies next but i am leaning more towards the quantums