debating between 150 or 250 hps..

[amx]

hey guys, having some trouble deciding which light to go with. i remember seeing a nice chart that detailed each wattage hps' light penetration and sq. foot coverage, but i can't seem to find it.
basically my grow cab is about 2ft x 2ft, almost 4 sqft. its about 3 feet tall, so after the resevoir, scrog screen and room for the light, i'm planning on about 1 foot of bud space.
which would be the better choice, purchasing from e-conolight.com? 150hps or 250hps? i read that the 150hps is NPF, which means it draws more power.. almost 300watts to power it, whereas the 250 is HPF and is more efficient, requiring around 250watts. i pay .20cents per KWH! so i would like to keep the electricity bill down, but i dont want to end up with a weak light that wont develop the buds at their best, nor do i want to have an excessively strong light that will create too much heat and too high of a cost maintanence.
so which do you think would be the better choice for me? originally i had been leaning towards the 150, but after reading about the wattage consumption, the 250 sounds like the better investment.... as long as it wont be overkill on heat/light.
also, what is the maximum penetration of a 150 and a 250? that is, how high can i keep it from the screen?
thanks guys

 

[Closet Funk]

The 250 a perfect light for 4 square feet. They are perfect for small stealth personal grows.

 

[Tirs]

you shouldnt lose 2' to equipment, thats too much to sacrifice when you only have 3' overall. Also a 150 isnt really sufficient for 4 sqft. In that regards id reccomend a 250. I have a smaller square foot than you with little over 3' all in a dresser and I manage to do fine heat wise with my 250 cool tubed.

 

[Guest423]

i'd be more concerned about heat, i'd get an air cooled 250w if i were you.....i'm not sure if they make 150w lights that are air cooled....i've never seen any...either way i'd still go with a 250w.

 

[Guest]

150 watt doesent get that hot at all.i would just use the tempered glass that comes with the 250 from econo-light and make a heat shield

 

[Guest]

Bigger is always better. I built a cabinet at my old house it was 2x3 . I used my 400 HPS in it and it rocked.

Go with the 250.

GCG

 

[Guest]

This may be what you seek...

Intensity, Distance, and the Sweet Spot
http://www.angelfire.com/cantina/fourtwenty/yor/lightres.htm

And of course the Light Distance Map made by CaliGrower - thank you CaliGrower

 

[minds_I]

Hello all,

Wow, $0.20/KWH. Wow, and I thought I was being ripped at $0.0884/KWH.

I have qa 250 and wished I had a 400. My point- go withthe bigger light.

IMHO

minds_I

 

[amx]

thanks for the advice all, and thanks for that chart! just what i was looking for, its a great reference to figure out the best size light