my first HPS

[khaleel]

Hello everyone, I'm just about to buy my first HPS - been using floro's and T5's for about a year now - and I'm wondering if anyone has experience with a ballast described as such:

* Wattage : 1000/120/240 Magnetic/HPS ($123)

What does the "Magnetic" refer to? And does the "1000/120/240" mean it can switch to a 120 watt bulb (they have those?) or 240... I want to make sure I buy the right setup. Here's the link: Hydrofarm - MDHydro

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I promise it will be a fun show once in action! Thanks

 

[Guest]

Hi Khaleel,

"magnetic" refers to it as being a coil ballast, rather than a digital ballast. Magnetic core coil ballasts generally run a bit hotter, and are heavier. There is more info about the differences between the two around the boards as well as manufacturers descriptions.

1000/120/240 means its a 1000 watt ballast and it can run on either 120 or 240 volts. This is the type of socket you are plugging into. The voltage of 120 or 240 won't affect the bulb used, as with either scenario you would need a 1000 watt bulb either way.

A switchable ballast is something a little different. Do you know if it is switchable? Switchable meaning its ability to swap bulbs from MH (metal halide) to HPS (High Pressure Sodium)

 

[Pittsburgh Kush]

Link didn't work for me, digital ballasts are a newer technology, and aren't as tested yet, not saying that they don't work and perform excellent, but you "magnetic" ballast is a technology that has been around for some time, and its more of a proven technology.

 

[khaleel]

yatyat: thanks my friend, great reply. my setup will involve a box, with the light/equip outside, so i'm not worried about the heat. i can run the magnetic ballast no problem. i've gotta wait a minute, but i'll hit ya some karma.

pittsburghkush: hmm just tried teh link. it worked for me. eh. thanks for the tip, good to know the magnetic has been around and works! cheers

 

[khaleel]

my setup plans:



Grapefruit x Trainwreck, 8 weeks under T5's

 

[hoosierdaddy]

You are going to need the box at absolute optimum if you plan on running a 1000w bulb in there. Probably a big overkill for such a box. (shrug)

I noticed in your sketch that you have a 6" fan going into 5" ducting. Don't choke it down, keep it 6".

 

[khaleel]

You are going to need the box at absolute optimum if you plan on running a 1000w bulb in there. Probably a big overkill for such a box. (shrug)

I noticed in your sketch that you have a 6" fan going into 5" ducting. Don't choke it down, keep it 6".

hi hoosierdaddy, thanks for the reply. yeah maybe i'll just do a 600w. i just figured if i COULD run the 1000, it would be worth it with the extra weight. you think it's already to the point of diminishing returns with a 1000?

the "5" is five foot - the height of the box. i'll use 6" duct fo sho.

 

[Cannabeard]

Howdy partner....I see you have decided to make the plunge and get down wit your bad self....HPS style... Kudos to you. I know you will like the difference!!! I got you tuned in here on your new thread, and got me a front row seat....NO Bob Ucker seats for me

Don't choke it down, keep it 6".

I agree there, but that might be 5' of ducting? cant tell

If I were giving out advise I would also advise you to get a 600...more lumens per watt and great penetration. With a cab I worry about heat....but by mounting it outside, you will cut down some....that bulb will still get hot. I have a little experience with a cab with a 400 and it was HOT, so I stopped it and am upgrading to a ROOM... with a 600 for flower and a 400 for veg and plenty of room for upgrades (= more lights )...no fucking around anymore here...lol...

However you go I will be right there with you, and rooting you the distance. What are you going to be running (strains) in that big ole cab? I bet it will produce a bountiful amount of tasty goods for you, once you get it dialed in.

Take care my good man, and keep working hard, your labor will pay dividends!!!

Peace and good health...

The Beard

 

[hoosierdaddy]

OK, I have a better picture of what you are doing now, khaleel.
I think by separating the two chambers with the 400 and 600, and using two separate fans, you can make that cab work well.

On your ac unit...
I assume you are planning on it being in a window, and ducting the cool air to the grow box. The additional fan will help the ac unit to pull cool air to the box. However, you will run into complications with the thing set up as planned.
The cool air recirc will be taking in ambient temps from the room the box is in, which means the thermostat located on the recirc grill will think your unit is not putting out enough cool air, and will cause it to run continuous.

Since you already plan for ducting to the box, I suggest mounting the ac unit right onto the side of your grow box, allowing the front of the unit to be in the box.
Then enclose the rear exhaust side of the unit, and use your duct to push the heat out the window. Mount the additional fan at the end of that duct if you wish to help the hot air flow, provided it can take 140degF.
The hot air side intake will then be allowed to use the ambient air in the room, and all will be well. The unit will cycle on and off when the grow room is at the temp you set.
A 5000btu unit will keep that box cool as a cucumber, although you may end up cool tubing the lights to get the temps perfect, using as little ac as possible.


BTW...
Wonderful bud shot! And that is a bowl fit for kings!

 

[Hydro-Soil]

On your ac unit...
I assume you are planning on it being in a window, and ducting the cool air to the grow box. The additional fan will help the ac unit to pull cool air to the box. However, you will run into complications with the thing set up as planned.
The cool air recirc will be taking in ambient temps from the room the box is in, which means the thermostat located on the recirc grill will think your unit is not putting out enough cool air, and will cause it to run continuous.

Since you already plan for ducting to the box, I suggest mounting the ac unit right onto the side of your grow box, allowing the front of the unit to be in the box.
Then enclose the rear exhaust side of the unit, and use your duct to push the heat out the window. Mount the additional fan at the end of that duct if you wish to help the hot air flow, provided it can take 140degF.

I LOVE it!

I'm sooooo looking forward to having 'equipment' money again. I'm always building stuff and I have a lil 5Kbtu window unit juuuuuust like that.

Thanks!

 

[khaleel]

great diagram hoosier! nice work man, i appreciate the input. the box i have in mind though is just for the bloomin'. i've built a small clone/veg box to get them rooted in, then i'm putting them under the 200w floro side for four weeks, then moved over and under the 600hps to finish another five or six weeks. so i think it will work... i have a 10000btu ac that is perfectly suited to run 12 hours a day or more as need be, and i wont even need an exhaust - i can exhaust the bedroom itself, allowing the cool air to be drawn in and pushed out cracks as pressure dictates. i think it will work. what are your thoughts? thanks g.

oh and come check out my thread! lol i started a proper thread in the indoor grow forum (i think) - the link is in my signature line. look down. haha you can see my veg cab there too, i just put it together last night.

let's go to the other thread everyone!!