What's new
  • ICMag with help from Landrace Warden and The Vault is running a NEW contest in November! You can check it here. Prizes are seeds & forum premium access. Come join in!

Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH)

E

EdIsOnnOsIdE

Member
Megas said:
Alright I've been following this thread for a long time and it has raised many questions and confused me more times than I can count.
So to try and fix this once and for all I hope you guys who know your stuff can just hammer out this stuff easily as possible.

Okay So!
1, What is the deal with some cmh's not fitting in sockets? To me this seems nuts. = (mine fit)
2, If you buy a magnetic coil 400w HPS ballast a 400w cmh should work in it correct? = (if it is a s51 hps ballast)
3, If you do buy a magnetic coil 400w HPS like a sun systems do you need to buy a conversion kit? = (im running a sunsystem10 400 watt econogrow,no i didnt have to buy a conversion kit?
4, If so is there any ballasts/ set-ups that do not need a conversion kit? I rather just have something straight forward so I don't burn my house down. ( imho go with a ss10 ballast and ss2 hood)
5, There has been a number of grows completed now we should have been able to figure out the g/kw ratio. We know it uses a higher spectrum but when it comes down to harvest what is a 400w cmh comparible to w/ hps?
6, Where are the best places to buy everything for this setup? (imo it would be here : http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/ and http://advancedtechlighting.com/cdmed18.htm)
I've seen a number of places now. From whatI have read Philips bulbs are best would they have any problems fitting into a sunsystems setup? = (i didnt have any problems)
7, If I bought a sun systems ballast 400w, does it come with the cord that attaches to the bulb or would a sun systems relector have the socket/ mount and the ballast plugs into that? (The ballast usually doesnt come with the socket unless you order it kinda like add-ons or ballast options.......mine came with a cord to plug the ballast into the wall and nothing else. I bought ss10 400watt.....a supersun2 reflector.....and a 400wcmh that is all i needed to buy. The ss2 reflector came with a socket and cord that plugs into the ballast.)
8, have many people converted back to HPS? Why do people flower with hps then move to cmh? If its a broader spectrum wouldn't it be better/ just as good?

I think thats it for now, I've gotten myself really confused and some of the links throughout this thread no longer work so I couldn't see more of what the poster was talking about.
Click to expand...

Hope that helps you from my limited resources
 
E

EdIsOnnOsIdE

Member
!!! said:
Fuck advancedtechlighting.com Site ripped me off.

He sent me the wrong order and then ignored my emails. It has been 3-4 weeks now. On the phone I get his voicemail 24/7. Appears like this "business" is run by a lazy (or maybe just very busy) guy from his basement.

Ended up wasting a few weeks of my time and about $200. I'll stick to reputable companies that I can reach by phone.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear about this. I placed my order around 2 weeks ago...I received my order 4 days after i payed. No problems at all. I will definitely be ordering again in the near future.... 2 cents
 
phatboyfromla

phatboyfromla

Member
Just ordered two 150W Phillips MasterColor bulbs. They have the smaller medium base rather than mogul so I gotta go get a couple ceramic medium base sockets. Hope my 150W HPS ballast will work with these. It's an advanced magnetic coil and core so I think it will.
 
E

EdIsOnnOsIdE

Member
Megas:
I went with the remote ss10. Not the switchable. I dont know if the switchable would work. I ASSUME it would work when the switch is on the HPS side. I didn't want to spend the extra money on a switchable to find it out it might not work. If you are trying to replace your mh bulb for a cmh go for the remote ballast that is non-switchable. More stuff in that switchable ballast to make it switch and if you're not gonna use it anyway, then why have it?
 
hoosierdaddy

hoosierdaddy

Active member
ICMag Donor
Veteran
phatboy, the 150CMH will not fire with a 150 HPS ballast. The small bulbs need a pulse start metal halide ballast. Ony the 250 and 400 use HPS ballast.
 
M

MEnSouRdeeZ

Member
Megas said:
Alright I've been following this thread for a long time and it has raised many questions and confused me more times than I can count.
So to try and fix this once and for all I hope you guys who know your stuff can just hammer out this stuff easily as possible.

Okay So!
1, What is the deal with some cmh's not fitting in sockets? To me this seems nuts.
2, If you buy a magnetic coil 400w HPS ballast a 400w cmh should work in it correct?
3, If you do buy a magnetic coil 400w HPS like a sun systems do you need to buy a conversion kit?
4, If so is there any ballasts/ set-ups that do not need a conversion kit? I rather just have something straight forward so I don't burn my house down.
5, There has been a number of grows completed now we should have been able to figure out the g/kw ratio. We know it uses a higher spectrum but when it comes down to harvest what is a 400w cmh comparible to w/ hps?
6, Where are the best places to buy everything for this setup? I've seen a number of places now. From whatI have read Philips bulbs are best would they have any problems fitting into a sunsystems setup?
7, If I bought a sun systems ballast 400w, does it come with the cord that attaches to the bulb or would a sun systems relector have the socket/ mount and the ballast plugs into that?
8, have many people converted back to HPS? Why do people flower with hps then move to cmh? If its a broader spectrum wouldn't it be better/ just as good?

I think thats it for now, I've gotten myself really confused and some of the links throughout this thread no longer work so I couldn't see more of what the poster was talking about.
Click to expand...

1. Standard mogul socket (E39/E40) should work fine.
2. That's right. Go by the ANSI code (S51 for 400w). Although be advised not all S51's are created equally, different power factors, coil composition, ignitor quality, etc..
3. No conversion kit is necessary for a magnetic S51 HPS ballast to run a Philips CMH. Plug-n-play
4. Most folks who already have reflectors have been buying ballast kits for around 55$ and wiring it themselves. It's not hard and allows for more custom set up possibilities. Advtechlighting was good for a while but many people have been having probs.
5. CMH all the way through I have seen 325g/400w bulb. Higher quality than straight HPS. Personally I use CMH veg/first half of flower and switch to HPS the last half of flower, yields are just as good as straight HPS and quality is much better.
6. I just ordered 5 CMHs on ebay for less than 40 each shipped, right now that guy has the cheapest price on the web. $49 shipped for just the lamp or $125 for lamp, GE S51 ballast kit and HID socket.
Shipped same day and gave tracking no.s without asking. (he does cheaper deals if you approach him outside of ebay)

7. Not sure man. Maybe if you could be more specific?
8. I run CMH for veg and early flower, switch to HPS last half of flower. I will never use a standard metal halide again, and I could go without HPS. I can literally touch the CMH during operation, they run only slightly hotter than a CFL. Summer here I come. Plus with a good ballast kit like advance or GE I can put my ballast out of the grow room = less heat. I may use straight CMH this summer, we'll see.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
iSmokeTrees

iSmokeTrees

Member
Ordered a 400w ballast kit from Advtechlighting and didn't get an ignitor in my kit. Argh, do they sell these at electrical stores?
 
F

Frosy

Active member
Those fluffy CMH buds...

Those fluffy CMH buds...

Just wanted to post this for everybody...she's just finishing up now
 
M

MEnSouRdeeZ

Member
iSmokeTrees, just another mishap to add to the long list lately of folks dealing with advtech...man that is a major fuck up on their part. I'm sticking with research lighting on ebay from now on, way better pricing and ballasts.

Firstly I'd make sure you have an S51 (with x1 x2 leads, something like that) than can accept a ignitor. If they sent you a M59 then you won't be able to light your CMH as you will not be able to add the ignitor. I say this because most have the ignitor wired already, or at least sealed up from the factory in the ballast kit. If there was simply no ignitor to be found, it is more likely they gave you a M59 by mistake. (standard metal halide ballast)

If you do somehow have an S51 (HPS) ballast, then yes, they sell ignitors for around $12 at most electrical supply houses. Again, make sure your ballast can accept the ignitor (look for wires labelled x1 x2 or x3)

I don't like dealing locally, but that's just me, less to worry about. If you're in a large enough urban area I don't suppose it matters, go grab one. Make sure to specify your distance from ignitor to lamp when purchasing ignitor. Many ignitors only good for 3 ft. gl
 
Last edited by a moderator:
phatboyfromla

phatboyfromla

Member
hoosierdaddy said:
phatboy, the 150CMH will not fire with a 150 HPS ballast. The small bulbs need a pulse start metal halide ballast. Ony the 250 and 400 use HPS ballast.
Click to expand...

Damn. So a 150W magnetic metal halide ballast is what I need? I'm pretty sure my 150W HPS has an ignitor if that makes any difference.

Thanks.
 
S

Sparky 6

Member
Great thread, thanks to those that have contributed. I have a couple of questions though-

1) How do Metal Halide conversion bulbs compare?

2) Currently where are the best places to get a 150 watt pulse start metal halide ballast and the appropriate CMH bulb?
 
Megas

Megas

Member
MEnSouRdeeZ said:
2. That's right. Go by the ANSI code (S51 for 400w). Although be advised not all S51's are created equally, different power factors, coil composition, ignitor quality, etc..
Click to expand...

Which do you guys find to be best? Or w/out issue?

MEnSouRdeeZ said:
4. Most folks who already have reflectors have been buying ballast kits for around 55$ and wiring it themselves. It's not hard and allows for more custom set up possibilities. Advtechlighting was good for a while but many people have been having probs.
Click to expand...

Any other recommendations, I really rather not wire anything myself to be honest, I just have this looming fear I'll burn something down? Don;t all you really need to do is plug in a cord that goes to the reflector to the ballast?

MEnSouRdeeZ said:
5. CMH all the way through I have seen 325g/400w bulb. Higher quality than straight HPS. Personally I use CMH veg/first half of flower and switch to HPS the last half of flower, yields are just as good as straight HPS and quality is much better.
Click to expand...
Why do you use a HPS for the last half then?
 
grouchy

grouchy

Active member
Part of my order from advancedtechlighting came in cracked. It was all wrapped in bubble packing so it was not damaged in the mail. I called them up and told them about it. I was informed that they would send out a replacement but it has been 7-8 months now and nothing showed up. That was the last time I will ever do business with them.
 
FlyinHawaiian

FlyinHawaiian

Member
after reading these replys now im really worried about my order from advtech, dunno why their ruining their good reputation:dunno:
I've never had a problem with online ordering before, If nothing ever shows up and they keep ignoring me Is there anything I can do? they alrdy charged my CC.
 
M

MEnSouRdeeZ

Member
Megas, as for late flower, they just fatten up so much, esp in response to red light during that time it's hard to beat HPS... the need for Violet/blue light tapers off the later you get into flower, esp indica--just my opinion
FlyinHawaiian, I'd say you're in luck. If you paid with a CC they'll go to bat for you at the drop of a hat. Just call your credit card company and let them know the situation.
Sorry if I was repeating myself Mods! Im sure all of Megas questions were answered somewhere in this 220pg thread I was just trying to make it simple for them. Advtech has been mentioned 100's of times I was just trying to make sure no one read an earlier page and ordered from them. It seems many people are having problems and ebay has them for much cheaper.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Latest posts

Top