1000 watt MH in a 600 watt digital ballast?

[Zen Medz]

I did a little research a didn't come up with much on the topic. Many of the newer digi ballasts allow you to under power the bulbs so I got to thinking about trying a 750 watt or 1000 watt metal halide in my Lumatek 600 watt (dial a watt 300, 400, or 600 MH/HPS) ballast. I typically just use a cheap 400 watt MH for veg but wanted to up the lighting a bit.

I understand that I'll be underpowering a larger bulb, my question is what kind of lumens/par can I expect? Will a 1000 watt MH run on my 600 watt ballast produce more light/PAR then a 600 watt MH conversion bulb? There doesn't seem to be any good options for 600 watt metal halides other than conversions or Eye Hortilux's new Blue MH bulb that only puts out 40,000 lumens.

Overpowering a bulb, e.g. 600 watt bulb in a 1000 watt ballast is dangerous and asking for trouble. I get that, under driving a bulb doesn't have the same risk other than wasting energy or time. Apparently a 600 watt ballast will strike/start a 1000 watt bulb. Any ideas or first hand experience, may have to pick up a bulb and let you guys know how it works. Cheers.

 

[BCNeil]

No, its not a good idea to dim or boost MH.

 

[HidingInTheHaze]

No, never do this.

Ballasts must use the size bulb they are rated for.

Misusing electrical devices is a great way to start a fire.

 

[Zen Medz]

Well, I thought I'd check with everybody on IC to see if somebody had done this successfully. Guess I'm stuck with 400 MH's or 600 conversions. Might just start vegging with my 600 HPS. Fuck it, I'm gonna pick up a 1000 MH on the cheap and see what happens. I'll let you guys know how badly this ends. All in the name of science!

 

[LyryC]

Digilux 600 Watt MH Grow Bulb

Virtual Sun VS600MH 600-Watt MH Grow Light Bulb

Apollo Horticulture MH Grow Light bulb Lamp for magnetic and digital Ballast

You got options son. This is just amazon....

Plus - your local hydro shop could make the magic happen and ensure your safety.

I wouldn't fuck with electricity like that - its not science like this.

Best of luck - good vibes and blessing sir

 

[LyryC]

and you only had 2 responses and want to say this is what ICmag has to say?

patience man - its in your favor.

 

[TheCleanGame]

No... a 1000w in a 600w ballast isn't going to be a hazard. At least not right away. Your worst hazard would be a lamp failure from running at non-spec voltages.

Your lighting spectrum will be off, the lumens will definitely be down.

It can be done though... I actually watched someone use a 1000w lamp in a 400w mag ballast for over a year. Kept telling me it was a 1000w ballast on the inside of the case... yeah right. lol

Keep it Clean!

 

[Zen Medz]

LyryC, Seriously dude, you're recommending 600 mh's from no name companies and a brand that just declared bankruptcy?! Most shops in Sac won't even carry Digilux bulbs. Appreciate the Amazon digging but that won't work for me. I've had a few beers so factor that in with my response.

I've done electrical work in the military and commercial electrical work locally and am not too concerned with underpowering a bulb, it may not work any better than a 400 but it could be an option. I'll give it a try and let you kids know what happened. Now I have an excuse to pick up a lux meter, sweet.

 

[Zen Medz]

FYI for anybody with products from R&M Supply, AKA C.A.P., Digilux, Quantum, etc.. Looks like there may be some warranty issues with certain products. Hydrofarm has swooped in like a vulture to pick the bones clean.

http://hydrofarm.com/about-hydrofarm/randm-supply_announcement.php

 

[OldSSSCGuy]

I would worry more about the start up burst of amps thrown to the bulb to fire it, and the decreased life span of an under powered lamp.

 

[HidingInTheHaze]

I've actually seen an HPS bulb melt when a 250w bulb was put in a 400w fixture.

 

[LyryC]

beggers cant be choosers grandpa.

 

[Coconutz]

Not only is using 1000MH in a 600W ballast a crazy idea, you should never dim an MH at all!
Conversion bulbs are worthless!

 

[TheCleanGame]

I've actually seen an HPS bulb melt when a 250w bulb was put in a 400w fixture.

Interesting... but we're talking the opposite here. It would have been a 400w lamp in a 250w fixture.

Underpowering isn't a 'hazard' it just makes for a poor and dim growing spectrum of light.

Keep it Clean!

 

[HidingInTheHaze]

Interesting... but we're talking the opposite here. It would have been a 400w lamp in a 250w fixture.

Underpowering isn't a 'hazard' it just makes for a poor and dim growing spectrum of light.

Keep it Clean!

Yeah I know I wasn't saying that was the same I was just saying what I have seen happen when people do stupid shit.

Underpowering may not be a direct hazard but using electrical equipment outside of it's intended purpose always poses a risk.

And if you have a fire due to your own negligence they will do an inspection on the cause and when they find that you were misusing electrical devices they will void your homeowners coverage.

All warranties and coverage is based on UL testing and UL does not test for stupid.

Just because something will work doesn't mean it's a good idea or should be recommended to others. Do what you want in your own home but don't tell others to follow your bad example.

 

[Coconutz]

Actually, if you burn your house down growing weed you wont be covered anyway.

 

[Zen Medz]

Alright, alright, settle down kids. Was just looking for some feedback on this topic. I understand the risks involved. I've done plenty of resi and commercial electrical work and know the hazards.

If anyone uses a digital ballast and chooses a lower wattage setting e.g. 400 watt bulb on the 300 watt setting you are underpowering the bulb. There's nothing wrong or dangerous with this. I've done this a few times when I had heat issues and things worked out fine. I'll test shit out and let you folks know how it goes. Leaning towards trying a 750 watt MH since it's closer to a 600. Stay tuned or not.

 

[Coconutz]

Actually when you put a 400W bulb on the 300W setting it still strikes the bulb at full power so it doesnt fail.
Anyway, you arent even supposed to ever dim an MH bulb.
Do whatever you want, but dont get upset people want to provide correct info in the thread for others.

 

[Zen Medz]

Coconutz have you had problems with dimming a MH bulb or have you just heard it's a bad thing? Curious cause I've run my 400 MH's on my digital ballast using the 300 watt setting with zero issues multiple times. Lumatek also states on their instructions for my ballast that you can dim a 400 MH on the 300 setting. Cheers!

Excerpt below from "Facts of Light, Everything you need to know about metal halide lamps and ballasts" by Sanjay Joshi

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/

(3) Electronic Ballasts
...Manufacturers also claim that high frequency ignition reduces blackening on the arc tube’s wall, which gives better color stability and longer lamp life. In addition, electronic ballasts can dim the lamp up to 33% of its full light output.

Venture Lighting's Dimming Policy for MH Bulbs:
http://www.venturelighting.com/techcenter/Dimming_policy.html

 

[Coconutz]

Those are halides designed to be dimmable?
Id make sure your bulb is designed to be dimmed before trying it.

Hey Tom, yes it is possible to use a 1000w bulb on a 600w ballast (if it's and HPS bulb) an MH bulb however will not work the light will flicker on and off for roughly a minute and then its lights out. on the other spectrum of things it is extremely unsafe to use a lower wattage bulb ( a 600w in a 1000w ballast) this can cause extreme over heating, and or envelope failure, resulting in damage and possible injury -Greners Staff

Its a gas that needs to be fired to the right temp to even be the right color.
Why would you want to spend all the money to run HID lighting and not even get the proper spectrum and intensity in the first place?
Cheapest thing to replace in a grow room is probably a bulb. Use the right bulbs and replace them often