1000 watt hps: safe/effective to leave on 24hrs?

[greenehype]

Ive tried a few forum searches and searched the books that I have but cant find an answer. Basically I have two rooms full of ladies in flower but I cant afford 2 more 1000 watt light systems. So my plan is to run lights for 12 hours then transfer to other room and run for 12, and so on and so on.

The bulbs are hanging bare so It wont be that big of a pain in the ass, as I have time to dedicate to the project but no more $. I only need to do this for another 3 or so weeks then I will have $ to purchase the other 2 light systems.

So, is it safe to transfer the bulbs and keep them running almost 24 hours a day(it will take me less than 10 minutes to transfer)

Thanks in advance.

 

[manwithnoname]

i woudnt touch a 1k bulb for at least 10 min after i shut it off. it will melt to whatever you are using to avoid the heat. hot as fuck. are you moving the whole socket or unscrewing it from one and moving it to another? if u are moving the bulb. i would leave it sit for ten minutes and then unscrew and move to other fixture and turn on(it will take a little while to get to full strength). should be ok if that is what you are doing

 

[manwithnoname]

i give mine an hour of rest a week and no problems with the bulbs

 

[smalltymer]

why dont you just make a flip flop box and just by another bulb? that way you dont have to worry about being there at the exact time and waiting and such

 

[moses224]

i run my 24 hour but switch every 6 months. I like to run mixed spectrum in my veg room one thousand MH one thousand HPS

Just my 2 cents

 

[greenehype]

small tymer: how would this flip flop box work? how much are they? are you talking about a relay? all of the relays Ive seen are pretty expensive, which is the only thing prohibiting me from purchasing 2 new light kits to begin with.

 

[moses224]

you could get a generic electronic ballast one thousand for one fifty delivered thats always an option to,,,,, or you can go expensive

 

[smalltymer]

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=35561&highlight=flip+flop+box

read this. you can make it smaller to help cut cost. this box was built for 8 lights but from what i read it looks like you only need enough for 2. i will be building this here shortly so if i get to it before you ill let you know. btw i only need to flip 2 lights as well.