Some quick high end HID lighting questions.

[OIBI]

Hi, I just had some quick questions about some of the high end HID equipment available. It seems like there are a lot of new options on the market. I'm looking at the no cut corners end of the spectrum. Thank you for your time in advance

1: Would a Sun system AC/DE be overkill for a 16 sq/ft space?

2: How efficient is it to run double ended lamps at lower wattages for long periods? Is it viable to run them at lower wattage during the summer months compared to say a separate dedicated 600w system? Are there any detrimental effects to lamp life or spectral output?

3: How flexible is the Sun system luxor with lower power bulbs? Any negative effects on the light pattern caused by the reflector itself?

4: What is the most efficient single end 1000w ballast/lamp setup available right now? What about in the 600w range? Preferably 240v compatible. I'm thinking from an electrical perspective.

Again, thank you for your time.

 

[Payaso]

Moved per request

 

[rives]

I haven't personally dealt with the equipment in question, but can give you some generalized input on some of it -

1 - Rule of thumb for HPS lighting is to shoot for 50 watts per square foot, minimum. A 1000w lamp in 16 sq ft gives you 62w/sq.ft.. The DE lamps are a bit more efficient that the other HPS lamps, so you could probably reduce the 50w/sq.ft. a bit, but I don't think that it would be a ridiculous case of overkill - many people run upward of 75 or more.

2 - Running any lamp at lower wattage changes the spectrum that it puts out from the designed spec. Also, the DE lamps are very sensitive to operating temperatures and don't like to be cooled. That is why the AC/DE is carefully designed to keep the airflow away from the lamp and just cool the fixture itself. Running reduced wattage is naturally going to make the lamp run a bit cooler. Whether or not it's enough to have an impact? Don't know.

3 - It seems to me that someone in the CMH thread is running a Luxor with a lower power lamp in it. You might check that thread and ask them.

4 - I'd put my money on the Gavita or Philips lines. They work closely together, and some of the Gavita ballasts are built by Philips and I believe that Philips had a hand in the design of the Gavita ballasts that are built by Gavita.

 

[sunnyside]

1: Would a Sun system AC/DE be overkill for a 16 sq/ft space?

No, that is ideal coverage.

2: How efficient is it to run double ended lamps at lower wattages for long periods? Is it viable to run them at lower wattage during the summer months compared to say a separate dedicated 600w system? Are there any detrimental effects to lamp life or spectral output?

No detriment to bulb or ballast. I've seen better yields from an ac/de tuned to 600 than a 1000 horilux in the same grow.

3: How flexible is the Sun system luxor with lower power bulbs? Any negative effects on the light pattern caused by the reflector itself?

Badass refelector for single end bulbs. The luxor is made for 1k bulbs, most 'big' reflectors are designed on a 1k footprint. This reflector especially is good at spreading the light evenly. I wouldn't advise anyone to use a lower wattage bulb with this reflector.

4: What is the most efficient single end 1000w ballast/lamp setup available right now? What about in the 600w range? Preferably 240v compatible. I'm thinking from an electrical perspective.

honestly, I love the yield master. It's on the cheaper end and it rocks.

If you are looking for efficiency, you need to stay with the double enders...they put out a lot more par (usable energy).

Go with the acde you won't regret.

 

[sunnyside]

2 - Running any lamp at lower wattage changes the spectrum that it puts out from the designed spec.

very true. However double ended bulbs are affected less than standard mogul socket bulbs.

The color shift when diluting a DE is minimal.

 

[OIBI]

3: How flexible is the Sun system luxor with lower power bulbs? Any negative effects on the light pattern caused by the reflector itself?

Badass refelector for single end bulbs. The luxor is made for 1k bulbs, most 'big' reflectors are designed on a 1k footprint. This reflector especially is good at spreading the light evenly. I wouldn't advise anyone to use a lower wattage bulb with this reflector.

Well the reason I ask is because early development doesn't necessarily require the full power of a 1kw bulb. The ability to run lower wattage CDM or MH bulbs without a reflector change would be a nice perk.

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm very interested to hear about any more experiences anyone may have.

 

[sunnyside]

For sure... just keep in mind the way this reflector is designed. You are giving up intensity for coverage.