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Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH)

rives

rives

Inveterate Tinkerer
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R

reents0

New member
rives said:
Smoking prices on the 315 gear! Stateside, those lamps range from about $70 to $100, and that is apparently the new ballast - I've only seen pictures of it, no pricing, but the old ballast went from about $200-400.

You need to find out if the lamps are the T9 (single envelope) or T12 (double envelope). The T9 lamps are only appropriate for use in an enclosed hood, and the T12 can be used either open or in an enclosed fixture. CMH lamps operate at very high pressures and can grenade on you, though it is rare. The T12 lamps come with a second jacket, so they can be run open, and this is the style that the "Agro" lamps use.

930 lamps are 3000k, and are best for flowering. The 942 lamps are 4200k and are usually used for vegging, but some people use the 942 for both functions. The Agro version has the red spectrum enhanced for horticultural use, but the other lamps work very well if the Agro isn't available. I use the standard T9 930's with excellent results.

You shouldn't need anything else with the ballast other than an enclosure.
Click to expand...

The bulb arrived and it turns out it's T9. So shopping for fixture is next on the list.
At least it's only 50USD.

What fixture would you recommend? I cannot order specialized grower equipment, so I am limited to fixtures that are used in other trades. I also don't want to use air cool if possible. Is that possible? The ambient temp here is around 24c or 75f. Any higher and I'll use AC.

Maybe a floodlight like this? Would the heat be too much indoors? It's only 315w.
222907A16HR.jpg
 
N

nodestar

Member
redclover said:
I have a confession...I cheated on CMH again :( Just purchased this combo http://www.inda-gro.com/ to cover a 4x4, efficient, and 10 year warranty. Anyone here try phytochrome 'flower triggering'?

Can't wait for more 315w options for another area.
Click to expand...

It seems like the last time I read up on induction it was just a heated debate. The prices are insane, especially with the LED addons.

But I'd love to hear how they compare to the 315's. Especially with in results and heat generated.
 
J

Jhhnn

Active member
Veteran
A grower would def have to take the long view to even consider induction lighting, given the upfront costs.

Given the life I've led, my age, & the fact that it's just a hobby means I'd be silly to go that way, figuring it's probably not all it's held up to be, anyway. Ten year warranty? I probably don't have ten years left.

CMH seems a lot more reasonable, particularly bulbs that will run on my Craigslist mag ballasts.

Right now, I'm off to Habitat to see what I can scrounge up...
 
rives

rives

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reents0 said:
The bulb arrived and it turns out it's T9. So shopping for fixture is next on the list.https://www.icmag.com/ic/picture.php?albumid=53677&pictureid=1252282View Image
At least it's only 50USD.

What fixture would you recommend? I cannot order specialized grower equipment, so I am limited to fixtures that are used in other trades. I also don't want to use air cool if possible. Is that possible? The ambient temp here is around 24c or 75f. Any higher and I'll use AC.

Maybe a floodlight like this? Would the heat be too much indoors? It's only 315w.
View Image
Click to expand...

A flood light is going to concentrate the light too much at the distances that you are going to be working with. Try and find "low bay" fixtures - they are designed to spread the light over a much larger area.
 
L

LargePrime

Member
redclover said:
I have a confession...I cheated on CMH again :( Just purchased this combo http://www.inda-gro.com/ to cover a 4x4, efficient, and 10 year warranty. Anyone here try phytochrome 'flower triggering'?

Can't wait for more 315w options for another area.
Click to expand...
You are a most lovable TRAITOR!
I don't see ANY data on that light system? Am I Blind? Where are the lumens and wattage? PAR/W or total? and why some silly large format color pics, when everyone uses HTML or PDF's?

rives said:
A flood light is going to concentrate the light too much at the distances that you are going to be working with. Try and find "low bay" fixtures - they are designed to spread the light over a much larger area.
Click to expand...
Or, find a 600W/400W fixture you like on craigslist, and swap the socket out.

PS. bought all the bulbs on ebay.
 
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R

redclover

Member
LMAO LP! There's several growers getting amazing results with Indigro. There's Spliff on YouTube and hyroot @ RIU. The link I provided is the only brand worthwhile. What made me choose this light over several quality LEDs is the coverage, less $$$ (believe it or not), UV, and the far red 'sunset' at lights out. I have CMH, LED, and induction now. IME, the first two are proven.

I'm still saving some room for T12s.
 
L

LargePrime

Member
rives said:
Glad somebody here got the rest of them. I thought that there would be a little more response on here about them, it was a pretty good deal.
Click to expand...
If you see any more deals, would you let me know?

And would you care to get one of these 80$ Chinese ballasts?
 
rives

rives

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LargePrime said:
If you see any more deals, would you let me know?

And would you care to get one of these 80$ Chinese ballasts?
Click to expand...

I'd be happy to.

No, thanks. I'm mainly just curious about them. I've bought a bunch of the Philips ballasts on eBay when I find them at the right price - have 6 installed and 3 more still sitting on the shelf.
 
S

Swami

New member
I designed my DYI LED lamp two years ago using 4 each 3700K and 1 each 5000K CXA 2530s. Cost me almost $600 for about 150w.

Works wonderfully, the plants love it and the CXA3070s are even more efficient.
 
D

Drek

Light is important, but there are so many other variables that contribute to weight.

What RH was the dry yield weighed in at?
What pheno vs what pheno?
What medium was used to grow the plant?
Where were the lights placed during the grow?

Lighting in relation to weight (gpW) has become more or less unimportant since I checked out Heath Robinson's now long gone grows. Weight is relative to so many variables. If someone tells you they're getting 1.5 gpW with such and such a light, it doesn't tell you anything about the light.

Wide spectrum contributes to healthier, happier plants, imo. Even plants that are flowering outdoors see a good amount of broad daylight (6000k) during the end of the season.

X5 looks good for LED's, but LED's require too much of an investment in money and time I think, for me. Plus, the LED horticulture tech seems to be still figuring itself out and changing day to day.

Gimme a Retro CMH and High Brix, and I'm happy. :pimp3:
 
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