Zen Medz
Member
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.
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.