600 Watt Galaxy Dimmable Ballast Question

[MrMash]

What up ICMager's! I just got a new 600 watt galaxy ballast but would like to run it at the 400 watt setting for veg. The person at the hydro store simply told me to turn the dial down to the 400 watt mark and plug in a mh 400 watt bulb...
My question is, Is it preferred to run a 400 watt bulb at the 400 watt setting and a 600 watt at the 600 watt setting, or is it better to run a 600 watt mh bulb and than dim it down to the 400 watt setting?... Or does it even matter?
Any input would be greatly appreciated!

-Mr. Mash

 

[stoneybud2]

You can do either or. But the life of the bulb is shortened running a 600w bulb on 400w setting.
I do this with my ballasts. But I keep a bulb separate for flower n use my older bulb if I need to dial down.
All n all you can do either.
SB2

 

[somerandom]

What up ICMager's! I just got a new 600 watt galaxy ballast but would like to run it at the 400 watt setting for veg. The person at the hydro store simply told me to turn the dial down to the 400 watt mark and plug in a mh 400 watt bulb...
My question is, Is it preferred to run a 400 watt bulb at the 400 watt setting and a 600 watt at the 600 watt setting, or is it better to run a 600 watt mh bulb and than dim it down to the 400 watt setting?... Or does it even matter?
Any input would be greatly appreciated!

-Mr. Mash

I think it does matter if your concerned with maximum Lumens output. I'm sure there's a chart,graph or test that has been done dialing down a 600 watt to 400 and what's lost. For me the dial is for emergencies, such as losing a fan (happened this week ) or if you're not dialed in with temps etc.

 

[dansbuds]

Can i ask why you want to dim a new 600 ballast down to 400 ? you get better penetration with the 600. if your worried about it being to much on smaller plants .... don't , i know guys running seedlings on 1000's . you just start the light higher & bring it down when they get acclimated .
grab yourself a 600 watt MH bulb & let them babies get some light
& you can dim it down if ya really need to .

Thats what my veg is .... 600 watt digital Galxy ballast , 600 watt MH in a 4 x 4.





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[MrMash]

Thanks for all the input and responses guys!
Hey Dans, thanks for your feedback. It's not that I want to dim a 600 down to 400 watts, it's that I prefer to veg under a 400. I run my veg 24/7 so saving a bit on the bill is nice. Also, I don't have a 600 watt MH bulb, but I have 400 watt ones. I have 400 watt ballasts, but they're hydrofarm ballasts and the plug won't work with my new blockbuster reflector. The new Galaxy 400/600 ballast will work with the new reflector though.
So that's what I'm working with. You think it's cool if I just plug one of my old 400 watt MH bulbs in the new Blockbuster with the Galaxy ballast at the 400 watt setting? Any other possible suggestions...?

 

[mojave green]

But the life of the bulb is shortened running a 600w bulb on 400w setting.

from whence do you obtain this info?
i have a 600w dimmable. i like to keep my veg light closer at a lower wattage for seedlings. i crank up the wattage as they grow and lift the light.

 

[stoneybud2]

from whence do you obtain this info?
i have a 600w dimmable. i like to keep my veg light closer at a lower wattage for seedlings. i crank up the wattage as they grow and lift the light.

This info was obtained but lumetek 2-3 yrs ago
Along with my light meter.
SB2

 

[meadowman]

great ? i have a 4-600 too and was wondering which 600 mh bulb you good people use?

 

[dansbuds]

i use the ushio hilux

http://www.hydroponics.net/i/133475

you can use your 400 watter in there ,just make sure not to turn it up to 600 watts or you chance it exploding .... worse case scenario .
& to be honest , your not going to save much more than a couple bucks by running it at 400 .
& they sell an adaptor to go from hydrofarm plugs to sunsystem plugs on hoods . or vice versa

https://www.google.com/search?q=hyd...SEwoHwDA&ved=0CIMBELMY&biw=1006&bih=609&dpr=1