Philips 315w CDM Elite (CMH)

[rives]

I'd give it a try if I could use an open reflector. My applications need ventilated hoods.

 

[willowz]

I just added 1 of those Phantom 315 digital ballast. Growers house has the best prices going on right now. Total cost to ship to Ca was 183$.. I have the socket adapter. I will use my old Gavita Tripple star reflector. This will take the place of 1 of the large t5 fixtures. I only have 1 t5 left. everything else in the room is now CDM ..

Dimlux uses the same thing others do. I'm pretty sure there is no other option. Its a PGZ socket for CDM bulbs.


If anyone is looking for adapters. This is the Cheapest I have seen

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331716094672?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Did you mean PGZX-18 to be more accurate? Because the Greenpower bulbs, which are included with the purchase of a DimLux unit has 2 Philips Greenpower 315W bulbs, which are only suitable for PGZX-18 lamp fixtures. Am I wrong here?

Thanks.

 

[Hammerhead]

Dimlux expert 630 uses Philips Greenpower T9/T12 315W bulbs. Both bulbs would be the same. you could do a mix spectrum 3100/4200. All of the vendors that make fixtures for 315 bulbs use PGZ. You cant buy 1 that has a diferant socket in it unless you went with a DE system.


If you have Fixtures with E39 mogul base you could get some of those 315 Phantom Ballast with adapters like I did. Its much cheaper to use stuff you already have.

 

[rives]

Did you mean PGZX-18 to be more accurate? Because the Greenpower bulbs, which are included with the purchase of a DimLux unit has 2 Philips Greenpower 315W bulbs, which are only suitable for PGZX-18 lamp fixtures. Am I wrong here? Thanks.

I don't know what socket is being used in the DimLux, but your understanding of the lamp suitability is inaccurate.

The PGZ18 base is used on the T9. The PGZ version will accept either lamp, and is meant for use in enclosed fixtures. The enclosed aspect provides the necessary protection for the T9, but will also accept the T12 and simply provide redundant protection.

The PGZX18 base is used on the T12. The matching socket will not accept the T9, and it is meant for use in open fixtures only. This keeps the unprotected lamp from being misapplied and creating a potentially dangerous situation.

The only sockets that I have seen available are the PGZ18 versions that will accept both versions. I haven't seen any commercially-made fixtures to see if they are in fact using the correct base for the application, but the exclusionary socket isn't widely available in the US.

 

[Hammerhead]

Dimlux expert 630 is an open fixture system. It would have the same Socket as the Sun system 630 LEC witch is what I use. It came with 2 T12 3100 Agro bulbs.

 

[rives]

Dimlux expert 630 is an open fixture system. It would have the same Socket as the Sun system 630 LEC witch is what I use. It came with 2 T12 3100 Agro bulbs.

Yeah, they aren't following the design criteria for the lamp usage if they accept both T9 & T12 lamps. Are they UL or CSA approved?

I would think that the European fixtures would have the correct sockets, particularly since DimLux is from the same country as Philips!

 

[Hammerhead]

I don't know much about Dimlux. Lots of people like them though.

 

[Dank Whisperer]

I'm prejudiced toward vertical lamp orientation - there is a damn good reason that virtually every industrial high- or low-bay fixture uses that design.

As a perfectionist, this has been my thinking for years -- even after my experience with poorly designed ones. Greenbeams' cost is explained by the accuracy in their design and the consistency of the products. As I mentioned before, when you employ a curve/parabola in reflector design, or any situation where you create a large footprint from a small reflector, it needs to be incredibly accurate. One side of your avg commercial DE reflector is appx 1 sq ft?, yet it projects out to a 3'x6' footprint. Any flaw will be magnified.

The Phantom is also intriguing, particularly because of the air-cooling option.

Yes indeed, the lower end of the price range make it that much more attractive. If the footprint isn't too small and I can get them plug/play for $120-ish, then it might top my list.

Dual lamp designs tend to put me off, I just think that hot spots and uneven distribution are inevitable.

I know what you mean. The German in me wants it perfect, but the Scottish does not want to pay and insists I make it myself. Constant struggle.

No matter which way I go though, I'm stoked to be getting into the 315 CMH game. There are so many things about it that tells me that we really know nothing when it comes to "light". Especially the whole spectrum issue, and how they can be different in more ways than just visually, yet the whole debate comes down to the most negligible of differences. Might've been in the bigger thread, but I thought I remembered something about the different materials for arc tubes emitting photons in different ways, and being more or less similar to the sun. It could be that aspect that turns out to matter, and spectrum turns out to be something meaningless borne out of our "human-centric" way of thinking.

It will be especially nice to help my father (retired vet w/ some serious neck/back problems) save money on his medicine. My friends father needs help too (vet w/ similar issues) as it's the only thing that seems to help him. He says he can't find anything as good as what I give him so, no pressure or anything! I'm glad to hear that the quality should be improved over my HPS.

Thanks again to everyone for their contributions, not only to this thread, but to humanity in general.

 

[Jhhnn]

This is the downside of wattage limitations. Having two bulbs in one fixture means a more condensed reflector area for each bulb. This reminds me of my OG, or even all of these commercial DE fixtures with an aluminum breadbox covering the light produce a beam so intense that it's like a laser. That's why I like the broad Raptor footprint (IIRC, ones you're not a fan of) since I don't have 10ft of head room, and "footprint" does not equal canopy. Since my dad's room is ~7ft tall it has me thinking of converting his Raptors, or finding cheap Dual Raptors which would make the process easier.



Another benefit of the Dual Raptor is the adjustable sockets, you can adjust for use with a single lamp or tweak both sides. I just think anything else requiring modification would be too much to juggle with multiple grows.



I was thinking so much about how round it was and didn't stop to think about the length of the HPS arc tube.



Semi-funky or not, sounds like you're almost turning lead into gold with it, so I'd be willing to put up with some lamp restriking and a little ununiformity in output.

I'm sure the raptors do a good job. I just wasn't willing to sacrifice any more headroom than necessary. Didn't seem like a good idea under the circumstances. You may be able to buy bolt in parts to convert them to dual lamp configuration. I'd inquire directly w/ the manufacturer. This might serve-

http://growershouse.com/socket-assembly-for-dual-cool-tube

The whole effort is just one of my hobbies & a way to hold down household expenditures long term. I sell nothing, so I've tried to hold down up front costs scrounging ballasts off ebay & a lot of DIY. What really led me to CDM were the attractions of lower operating costs, less heat & natural spectrum. So far, I think I'm winning on all counts.

 

[willowz]

Does anyone think stocking up on CDM Agro lightbulbs is smart or will there be deals on it coming Christmas? I saw a mention that the prices for these bulbs have only gone up...

Thanks

 

[Hammerhead]

Having spare bulbs is a must for any light IMO. Finding them in the 75$ price range is not hard to find you just have to look. Finding them lower than 70$ is rare. I have 2 4200, 2 3100 spare's.. All the bulbs in use right now are the 4200 since I only veg with them.

 

[Scrappy-doo]

Anyone know the latest on ATL regarding their punctuality with shipping? Last I heard he staffed up and was promising to be on top of things.

One other question... The kit they offer needs to be wired diy and I can see from the ballast to socket it's just a few small wires instead of the thick black plug in wiring like a finished unit would have. I'd like to hook the ballast up to my cycloptics fixture with the black plug in. How to do and what additional parts needed?

 

[willowz]

Having spare bulbs is a must for any light IMO. Finding them in the 75$ price range is not hard to find you just have to look. Finding them lower than 70$ is rare. I have 2 4200, 2 3100 spare's.. All the bulbs in use right now are the 4200 since I only veg with them.

I think I might have found a deal for you.

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-CDM-EliteMW-315-930/dp/B00HT46CHA

65 a piece T9 930

still searching for a deal on the T9 942's, better all round spectrum, IMO.

 

[Hammerhead]

That's the wrong bulb for open fixture use. I don't need anymore spares. You won't find a T12 lower than 70$..

This is the best price for T12 930.. T12 4200 is the same price..
http://www.horticulturesource.com/g...color-cdm-lamp-315-w-argo-p-12-cs-t12-p13536/

 

[Jhhnn]

Anyone know the latest on ATL regarding their punctuality with shipping? Last I heard he staffed up and was promising to be on top of things.

One other question... The kit they offer needs to be wired diy and I can see from the ballast to socket it's just a few small wires instead of the thick black plug in wiring like a finished unit would have. I'd like to hook the ballast up to my cycloptics fixture with the black plug in. How to do and what additional parts needed?

One of these keeps the reflector Plug & play-

https://www.hydroponics.net/i/249988

If it has a long enough cord & the matching plug. They offer a dual receptacle one that accepts the other style. Beyond that, you need a 240v power cord, wire nuts or terminal strip, electrical tape, mounting plate & screws for it & clamps or other form of strain relief for the power & lamp cords. I used an aluminum lid from Goodwill as a mounting plate. Inside a metal enclosure would be best but that's a lot harder to execute.

 

[willowz]

I haven't seen the question posted; but, what are good transformers to use for a 630w setup? There are so many on Amazon of poor quality. I don't want my transformer to be the weakest component in my setup...

Thanks.

 

[Hammerhead]

Transformer ??? Why would you need that...Do you mean Ballast ?.

 

[beta]

.

 

[willowz]

Transformer ??? Why would you need that...Do you mean Ballast ?.

To use the Philips IZTMH210315RLFM, bought from here I need a transformer to go from 110V to 220V. Am I mistaken here?

Thanks

 

[Hammerhead]

I get ya now.., Why not just buy a ballast ready to go? I just bought 1 of the Phantoms for 189$.