For anyone that's been under a rock or in a cave for the past week, eBay's got cheap 400w HPS remote ballast/bulb/batwing reflector for $90/$20 shipping from east coast. Ships Parcel Post 3-9 days.

[tokinjoe]

Can you put up a link? That would help out tremendously. Wow what a price. Is the ballast remote or attached??

Remote ballast, all cords, etc.

northern lighting had 2 at $90 - here's some more a few bucks more.
USE THIS LINK FOR REFERENCE ONLY!!!!!!!!!

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

BIG THANKS TO NYCNOOB FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION!!!!
********DON'T GET "BURNED!!************

and here's a nice 6" in-line duct blower $35:
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...368489692&rd=1

Sometimes it's wiser not to be the miser.

With the new 400w HPS in the mail I had to remodel my closet grow. All ballast is in the attic with a quick disconnect panic button. I adjusted the intake vent and added another vent and 4" intake duct from the central A/C "just in case." Also added wet towel bars to help raise RH.

Got 12 beans that popped last week under the 200w MH transplanted into the grow tub, and the grow is on. Unfortunately all I have is sativa for this grow - but it will be a good solid test as I know this strain from 6 grows.

I have the temps constant now at 77.2-81.5 and the RH is a solid 40%. I had to replace the timer, for some reason the relay in the old one refuses to trip, so I upgraded to 1875w programmable. Got the babies on 18/6 and had to move the light away a notch, a few leaves started to taco. Hope they didn't go into stress over it - they look happy right now.

I'll have to rethink my hood arrangement - 2x2x3 vented into the attic and A/C backup duct is patched into the closet and hood. With the 400w I'll have to rearrange things in the hood and fine tune it to accomodate the new light.

So, now from the 200w MH/150w HPS to 200w MH/400w HPS.

After sleeping on it and revisiting the hood, I'm beginning to think I'll just have the 400w HPS in the hood and remount the two 100w MH to use as side lighting assist as these sativas finish at about 4'. Just wondering if I should mount them to a select spot or leave them adjustable with chains or something, or if it's even worth it to bother with them. I really don't want to get hot lights down under the hood and in the grow chamber as I have the temps just right now and don't want to upset that.

Hey,
Speaking of cheap lights I have had good luck with insidesun.com,very cheap compared to the rest!Good luck on the grow 1toke

Thanks red145 I'll definitely check it out. Dunno if I want to go more than 400, maybe 600 max though - closet is only about 7 sq ft. LOL

[nycnoob]

GRrrr..Well I was really considering to purchase the hps light with ballast on ebay, but after reading another ebay user's auction, it kind of messed up how I am feeling.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...372141037&rd=1

You guys think you could tell me if the ballast there are actually prone to fire....etc..or dangerous to use?

nycnnob - definitely pass on sellers like that - you're paying good money, give it to a reputable company that knows what they are doing - you will see many fly-by-night sellers on eBay trying to make a quick killing on their junk at your expense & dissappear in the dust. All of the top distributors occasionally auction one off at rock bottom prices to aquaint you with their line of hydro products - U just have to keep checking.

You did the righteous thing by posting here - THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS CLOWN TO EVERYONE'S ATTENTION!!! - if you find one, post their link and let the experts check it out first for you! AND always check the seller's feedback!

That seller is trying to pawn off unsuspecting noobs with hi-bay warehouse lights that he's "converted" to remote - not a task for the amateur that he is, judging by the way he did it - if you enclose that thing in a closet or cab make sure you have a fire sprinkler mounted above it! NOT RECOMMENDED!!!!

HATS OFF TO NYCNOOB!!!!

[diggity-dank]

Originally Posted by red145

Hey,
Speaking of cheap lights I have had good luck with insidesun.com,very cheap compared to the rest!Good luck on the grow 1toke

you know what the scary part is here? insidesun.com is owned by the person selling these lights on ebay.

on the bottom of this ebay auction.. https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1
it says...

Seller's payment instructions
If paying with paypal please remit your payment to m3i6k0e@aol.com. If you want to send a money order send it along with a reminder letter including the auction # to: Inside Sun Co. 1272 Ridge Top Dr. Greenwood IN 46142

see... inside sun co. another sad thing is these DO burn up. i had a 400w hps fry up. he sent a new one which has been working but this scares me even more now. :( eek