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)

R

Ranger

Member
redclover said:
Those bulbs are what introduced me to full spectrum. Ya might need to replace them soon after two years...
Click to expand...

i have actually replaced 2 of 3 so far but honestly i have noticed no difference in the growth under any of them.

yeah they seem to be a decent bulb still and i do enjoy open air bulbs far more, seems like a lot more gets to the plants this way and they're safe.
 
N

nr nodes

Member
How close are you guys running the 315/330s for bare bulb vert setups? And what do you feel is the sweet spot and farthest practical side-penetration for flowering?

I'm thinking of using them for interlighting between rows of DE hps overhead, but I'd like to hear opinions from those who've run the small CMH's vert by themselves.
 
rives

rives

Inveterate Tinkerer
Mentor
ICMag Donor
Veteran
nr nodes said:
I'm thinking of using them for interlighting between rows of DE hps overhead, but I'd like to hear opinions from those who've run the small CMH's vert by themselves.
Click to expand...

I can't help you with your question, but just wanted to say that this sounds like a hell of a combination! Just make sure to use the T12 lamps if you are going with a bare lamp.
 
R

redclover

Member
nr nodes said:
How close are you guys running the 315/330s for bare bulb vert setups? And what do you feel is the sweet spot and farthest practical side-penetration for flowering?

I'm thinking of using them for interlighting between rows of DE hps overhead, but I'd like to hear opinions from those who've run the small CMH's vert by themselves.
Click to expand...

That would be a crazy combo! I'd use the T12s like rive said. The 4200s would be awesome with the HPS. Hope you have a serious air conditioner.


Does anyone know if they're going to come out with 930 E37s?
 
N

nr nodes

Member
Yes protected lamps only, of course. I'm thinking 1/2ton of AC for each overhead, plus equivalent for the verts. How much heat do they generate compared to say a 400 or 600W MH?
 
D

Drek

Ranger said:
damn you guys got high tech around here. i'm still using the bulbs i posted in here about 2 years ago i think. using the 400 watt Phillips CMH conversion bulb in a 400 watt HPS ballast. dunno if that's still decent these days? but it seems to still work well for my grows.
Click to expand...

Retro 400 is still more than decent. Imo, Philips CMH are probably the best grow lights period.
phone3.gif


This is my first grow in a long time. I started it on HPS (Son Agro) which was ok, but I thought I'd give the Retro a try. Strain is a Durban Poison cross, with a few different pheno's,; one more is more stable and I'm assuming more like the original. When I put the bulb in, it was a literal change overnight. The plants sprung up and and were all reaching up towards the light...they didn't do that with the HPS, not that I really noticed anyway. They seem to way prefer this spectrum, and I wouldn't hesitate to say that they'd probably prefer it in flowering too. If I wanted to get into a bit more $$, I'd probably go with the 315w, but I'm not really sure how much benefit I would gain from it. @ 4k Retro still has plenty of red.

1 month 19 days from seed:

 
M

mr.good

Member
I've been running my 315 sun system (https://www.sunlightsupply.com/shop...system-lec-315-light-emitting-ceramic-fixture) and in all honesty It's been awesome. I used to run a 600 watt and this imo produces just as well, better in resin production and density. I also scrog my garden and have it covering approx. 3 x 3.

I'm planning on doing a side by side once I get my new tent, I still have my old 600 watt hood and ballast but I wanted something less on heat and something a little better on electricity.

This hood produces little, if any, heat and that and the spectrum it hits is why I went with it and I do not regret it :)

Once I have a chance I'll post pictures and like I said hopefully within the next month or so I'll be able to do a side by side.
 
e_24

e_24

Active member
Been lookin to purchase a 315w 942 bulb in a mogul base, but I'm still confused as to what ballast to trade my buddy for? A 400w hps or metal halide? Also, does the 315 need a special ballast or do I have to run the 330w in the magnetic ballast? So many pages and I'm just all confused. Thanks for the help.
 
non

non

Active member
Veteran
yeah 315 needs special ballast. if you have mag hps ballast you can still probably get the discontinued retrowhite, i got couple just months ago.
 
Last edited:
D

Drek

non said:
yeah 315 needs special ballast. if you have mag hps ballast you can still probably get the discontinued retrowhite, i got couple just months ago.
Click to expand...


Nah...stay away from the Retro bulb, it sucks. :whistling:

@ E24 - Have a look on Philips site at ballasts and lamps(315agro).
315 has a specially designed electronic ballast, but it only has 240 VAC input. You need a transformer in front of it with a high enough power rating (VA); a step up transformer from wall mains 120 to 240 to run it. You can get ready made transformer boxes that will work, probably off Ebay?

I'd probably contact: http://advancedtechlighting.com/cdmed18.htm - they have a pretty good relationship with Philips, or so I've heard.
 
J

Jhhnn

Active member
Veteran
Drek said:
Nah...stay away from the Retro bulb, it sucks. :whistling:

@ E24 - Have a look on Philips site at ballasts and lamps(315agro).
315 has a specially designed electronic ballast, but it only has 240 VAC input. You need a transformer in front of it with a high enough power rating (VA); a step up transformer from wall mains 120 to 240 to run it. You can get ready made transformer boxes that will work, probably off Ebay?

I'd probably contact: http://advancedtechlighting.com/cdmed18.htm - they have a pretty good relationship with Philips, or so I've heard.
Click to expand...

These guys sell a 315 system w/ CO built 120v electronic ballast-

http://boldergrowlight.com/
 
Avinash.miles

Avinash.miles

Caregiver Extraordinaire
Moderator
ICMag Donor
Veteran
meeting with boulderlamp people today... will fill yall in what i learn about the ballasts made in boulder powering the 315w cmh's
 
Avinash.miles

Avinash.miles

Caregiver Extraordinaire
Moderator
ICMag Donor
Veteran
redclover said:
Very nice people and informative. However, the price is comparable to the DNA combo...which is very high :(
Click to expand...

600$ retail for a 315w setup... they offered me some introductory prices, but weren't really into getting involved in the community, still gotta convince them.... something im not even sure yet... suffice to say that the people running the company and doing marketing for them are VERY far behind the curve, which makes selling next level hardware pretty difficult imo.
 
J

Jhhnn

Active member
Veteran
Thanks, miles. That's steep. They're trying to market a miracle, A Miracle, I tell You! and I doubt it's all that. Old Craigslisters like me are going to be using 330w CMH bulbs from Advanced on scrapped out industrial 400w MH ballasts for some while, I think. Or just sticking with what we've got. In a coupla years, a coupla Benjamins should net them regular off Craigslist. They have strange powers, those Benjamins.

As a hobbyist, I'd have to be nuts. I got kids to feed! Big ones, too, eat everything in sight.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Latest posts

Top