Metal halide high bay ballast?

[Wonderon]

I have a friend who has access to a bunch of 400 watt metal halide high bay ballast for free. Are they useable and what's the best way to implament them. Vertical I'd assume correct? I was considering taking two for myself.

 

[a.k.a_Herb]

Bro Youtube it, the man shows you how to set them up and you can customize it further then he did. and you could always buy better bulbs for them. even hps conversion bulbs. hope this helps ......Herb

 

[Wonderon]

Thanks. I actually have a 1k hps setup so no need to convert. I will buy new bulbs and run two during veg. I was planning to buy a $150 mh conversion bulb for my 1k ballast but I think two of these should be fine.

 

[Bud buster]

The combined spectrum would be good I'd grab a few if their free. I'd run the room vertical a 1000 watt in the center some 400 hundreds with batwings pointing back in that would kick ass. I've seen them for sale many times they renovate a space change their lighting they can be cheap like twenty bucks.

 

[Wonderon]

These are free so can't go wrong I guess. I'm just thinking veg and seedlings. Are there specific verticle mh bulbs? I see some say horizontal in the description?

How's this, seems cheap for bulbs.
http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/sylvania-400w-4000k-universal-metal-halide-bulb-p-1087.html

 

[rives]

Yes, there are specific operating positions for the lamps unless they state "universal". The lamp that you linked to should not be used for a bare-bulb or open fixture application.

 

[Pinball Wizard]

probably all 240 volt? ...designed to be hardwired?

 

[Bud buster]

That bulb states for enclosed only I didn't know there was a difference but you need a universal or bu base up. They might be 240 but if you can follow the wiring diagram confidentiality it should be no problem otherwise take it to an electrician if needed.

 

[Wonderon]

I watched a YouTube vid that shows how to wire it for anything you want. They are universal. So what's the best bulb option from the site I linked or a better option?

 

[rives]

I watched a YouTube vid that shows how to wire it for anything you want. They are universal. So what's the best bulb option from the site I linked or a better option?

The wiring options depend on the specific model and manufacturer. There are ballasts that are compatible with a single voltage, and others are "multi-tap", so that you can hit most available voltages. The lamp is going to depend on how you want to use it - bare vertical, open reflector, air-cooled reflector, etc.

 

[OldSSSCGuy]

Another problem with the high bay fixtures is that they usually need a crapload of headroom and they are a pain in the ass to cool. If you have a warehouse-sized area that is fine; but if you're running a hobby grow they can be loud, inconvenient and hot as hell.

 

[Wonderon]

Thanks. I will know more tomorrow as he is going to be getting the details.

 

[Wonderon]

I have my 1k aircooled hood for most of the grow. I am considering running two of these as veg lights so I can veg and flower in two different areas. I'll have to experiment to see if they will work for my application. Otherwise I may just pay the $160 for a mh conv bulb for my 1k ballast.

 

[Bud buster]

Just buy some good lights that are meant for open air it seems that most of the bulbs on that site are for enclosed fixtures this one will work for cheap http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/venture-mpi-400w-4000k-bu-metal-halide-bulb-p-2393.html go for a 5000k or higher this one is like 24 bucks but a 4000k some are more than 50 I'd run your veg vertical it will keep your plants shorter and bushier expecialy if you defoliate.You can separate the ballast easily if you want to make it easier to hang and reduce heat.

 

[chongsbuddy]

i have used a 400 wat mh high bay in my little veg cab for 3 years,works great!and its easy to hang!
i would never recommend for flower,but for veg its fine!free is free

 

[chongsbuddy]

i have mine in a 18" x 48" cab with 5 feet of height,and i use a 70 cfm bathroom exaust fan and in the summer it get a lil warm,but right now the temps are 74f and rarely get above 80,and my fan is twice as loud as my ballast...go for it dude

 

[Sativa Dragon]

If your handy at wiring then grabem, I got some a while back and took the whole works apart, the ballast was wired for 347 but it had taps for 220 and 110, so I wired it for 110 and used extension cord a mogul socket and a batwing, it is a pile of work, just the high bays don't leave you with much room. Free is good though.

 

[Wonderon]

Just wanted to update. I got two of these a week ago. Took my friend forever to bring them home from his job. The reflectors are huge but the units look to be in good order. Wondering if I should rig them for vert setups or if I should try to use the old reflector. These would be great for a mom room or maybe even a clone veg room. Still plan to use my 1k for flower.

 

[Tardigrade]

I've been running those I converted for quite a while...they work great!