Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH)

[Azeotrope]

setaemies - Currently the Philips/Advance E ballast that they spec is really all that you will find. There is another available that rives has pointed to that is available, but after talking to that manufacturer the other day, they are really only sold as part of the Ceramatek kit.

Hint:
Search Ebay with 630w or 'WideLite'

 

[pheed]

Would a 400W CMH be overkill for a 2x2 grow tent (SCROG grow)?

I currently use a 250W HPS in a cool tube, plus 4 23W CFLs. If I replace all that with a single 400W CMH (not air-cooled) will my temps skyrocket?

 

[Hydro-Soil]

Would a 400W CMH be overkill for a 2x2 grow tent (SCROG grow)?

I currently use a 250W HPS in a cool tube, plus 4 23W CFLs. If I replace all that with a single 400W CMH (not air-cooled) will my temps skyrocket?

No.

The heat will be more... it will all depend on how much air and what temp you're pushing through to keep it cool.

Stay Safe!

 

[whazzup]

400W on a 2x2? Not air cooled, compared to 250W in a tube and a few cfls? It would surprise me if that is efficient or even doable. that's 1100W per square meter... I would try the CDM 315 in a tube on that space, max!

 

[Illumination]

Well, that screws the deal for me. Is the lamp going to snap due to weight / length, I wonder?

Is the 400W also a vertical orientation?

put the 830 in this and RULE

best deal on it I found here:
http://www.ehydroponics.com/luxor-reflector-8?&cid=12

 

[Azeotrope]

I am just waiting on my 315w 930 to arrive. Should ship on 1-11-13. Everything is ready to go. When it gets here I will swap it out for my 250w cmh and run it in a 2x2 temp controlled cab. For now I am looking at retrofitting a PL Midi I have. I may however build a nice vert hood. I have a fair amount of 96% reflective lighting sheet to work with. My other though is that I might just order a Gavita 600se replacement reflector. They can be had for about $40.00 and it would be easy to install the 315w in that. Looks like a very good horizontal hood.

I will update after the 15th or so when it is on-line. I have complete temp control and CO2 along with a dialed in organic program and a strain I know well so it should be fun.

 

[Pinball Wizard]

I'm still rocking with dual 400 CMH bulbs in a 4ft x 2ft closet.
(I can do that in the wintertime)(10 weeks)(NL x Shiva)

Happy New Year's Day

..

 

[pheed]

I've seen some posts talk about distance from the ignitor to the bulb. Most reflectors I find come with 15' cords. Is this a concern?

 

[Azeotrope]

Use the correct bulb for your position I.e. horiz or vert rated....... The shorter the cord the better. 15' is pushing it, but will probably work.

 

[Anti]

I've seen some posts talk about distance from the ignitor to the bulb. Most reflectors I find come with 15' cords. Is this a concern?

My cords are 15' as well. I have run two (vertically oriented) CMH 400w on them for the last year without issue.

 

[LeeROI]

I haven't kept up with this thread but Sunlight Supply is distributing the horizontal Philips Retro bulbs. The description doesn't mention orientation, though--so retailers will typically be clueless!

http://www.sunlightsupply.com/p-13127-philips-mh-conversion-lamps.aspx

 

[Azeotrope]

Where the 315w CDM will live

Where the 315w CDM will live

A shot of where the 315w 930 will live when it arrives. 27"x24"

 

[tenthirty]

Cool, when are you going to start using it?

 

[Azeotrope]

I ordered one last week, but it won't ship until 1/11. 240v is run, breaker and outlet are installed, ballast housing and timeclock wired and ready. Just need a bulb so I can retro it into that modified PL hood or a vertical fixture I started working on today. Just need a day once it gets here.

 

[tenthirty]

Well, I stuck my hand in a yellow sticky trap. Ick.

So just a taste of the things to come.

No more HPS, say hello to Mr. Cycloptics and Elite Agro.

This is the first one and a prototype, so it's not on the market........
Yet!

 

[rives]

Interesting light cutoff line from the Cycloptics. Are those light spots on the break lines leakage from inside or something else in the room illuminating the shroud?

 

[tenthirty]

Glad to see ya, rives....
Ya, there are some light leaks around the fixture. Prototype ya know...
The light pattern is extremely consistent and the cutoff is really crisp.
In the second picture, note that there are some curtains hung up.
I asked a lot of questions,
what is boils down to with this reflector is light management.
Our friends at Cycloptics were very specific about how the chamber should behave when using their lamp and fixture.
So I came up with some basic engineering to follow in order to properly use the beam pattern based on the Cycloptics design parameters.

 

[Azeotrope]

Tenthirty-

Nice to see one in action. Proto-type or not.

Don't anyone laugh, but here are some pics of my DIY reflector I am working on for the 315w.... Keep in mind, I am in a 27"Wx24"D freezer that I modified to run high temp (AC). So I need a smaller reflector and have height limits...

Start with a 9" recessed aluminum can.... $9.00 surplus
Mark 4 cut lines as close to equal spread as possible......

Cut with hacksaw blade. Sucked a little. Use dremmel next time.


Lightly heat at top and bend.....

Cut really badly done cardboard template. LOL Not showing that pic! haha

Use to mark and cut hammertone lighting sheet and fill openings.



Not complete. Needs some rivits, shaping and contouring and when the bulb shows up I will figure a mount for the socket to recess it just right. Only want the glass in the relector.

I am an artist with wire, pipe, torch and stick welding, but a complete idiot with sheet metal!

 

[Azeotrope]

13" by 7" deep. I had a bunch of 1/8" rivits but they were 3mm long(deep). Could swear I had a box of 1mm..... Will have to grab some tomorrow and finish. Still needs a good bit of work.

Here is what I am going to cover with it. Once the 315w arrives.
3 - Johnnyblaze x SweetBlue (M) ladies in a 17gallon organic water only tub on CO2 and day and night temp control.

 

[tenthirty]

Azeotrope,
Nice reflector. How many cuts did you get?
I don't see any blood.

Be sure to make it so the bulb can be moved up and down so you can find the focal point of the reflector.

HID planet is a good place to get a basic education on reflectors, though they are into automotive head lights, what they do has some application here.