Philips 315w CDM Elite (CMH)

[LastHurrah]

I was also intrigued by the 210w retro kits. I doubt they have quite the efficiency or output of the same lamp w/ Philips square wave ballast but they're way less expensive & run on 120v. They may be a sweet spot for truly small growers.

Agreed! I knew nothing of these until I saw Bandit's post. A quick search found this: http://www.greenelectricalsupply.com/venture-210-watt-cmh-lamp-ballast-kit-38815-v90d5310.aspx

Lamp, ballast, and PGZ socket for $130. Add a Phantom hood for $135 and you're setup for $265. That ought to flower a 2.5x2.5 nicely, no???

LH

 

[rives]

That ought to flower a 2.5x2.5 nicely, no???LH

Perhaps.....

I use a 315 in that size space, and find it to be the perfect case of overkill.

 

[GET MO]

I been veggin in the 4.5x4.5 with a single 315 (phantom) and its been doing great! I currently have a 5x10 flower room with 2 gavitas, was thinkin about putting a 315 on a light mover and turning the 1000s down to 750.

 

[LastHurrah]

Perhaps.....

2x2 then? Or does the 210 not have it's place for small flower spaces? I've seen some great results from a 2 foot 8 bulb t5 in a 2x2 space at 192 watts. Figure the 210w cmh should do much better. Agree?

LH

 

[Jhhnn]

Agreed! I knew nothing of these until I saw Bandit's post. A quick search found this: http://www.greenelectricalsupply.com/venture-210-watt-cmh-lamp-ballast-kit-38815-v90d5310.aspx

Lamp, ballast, and PGZ socket for $130. Add a Phantom hood for $135 and you're setup for $265. That ought to flower a 2.5x2.5 nicely, no???

LH

Better price-

http://www.metalhalideshop.com/3881...tore=mhs_eng&gclid=CPaQmorXisICFQGoaQodchoAvg

 

[LastHurrah]

Better price

Thanks Jhnnn! Your opinion on the setup though... decent (or great) value? I've thought about little 2x2 monocrops. If these hold true to the 1+ gpw model... that's like a half pound a cycle... AT 210W! I could be satisfied with that kind of result.

 

[bandit60001]

These retro kits really make me wonder what, if any, mag ballasts might be capable of driving the 315 safely? Surely one exists

 

[rives]

2x2 then? Or does the 210 not have it's place for small flower spaces? I've seen some great results from a 2 foot 8 bulb t5 in a 2x2 space at 192 watts. Figure the 210w cmh should do much better. Agree?

LH

It would probably work very well in a 2.5 x 2.5 if the lumens/watt output of the 210's are comparable to the 315's. I haven't really checked them out at all.

I have run (1) 315 in a 4x4 (20 w/sq.ft.), (2) 315's in the same space (39 w/sq.ft.), and (1) 315 in a 2.5 x 2.5 (50 w/ sq.ft.). The single in a 4x4 was a bit inadequate at reaching the edges, 2 of them worked great in the same space, but my favorite is the 2.5 x 2.5 and it probably has more to do with the setup than the light intensity. A 210 in a 2.5 x 2.5 would be about 34 w/sq.ft., and I think most people have been getting great results at around 35 on up.

 

[HUGE]

a view from above As above so below....

 

[Boss Cocky]

Good Evening Boss Cocky.....

I used the Green Power/Agro 930. Yes the potency knocked my socks off. I been sitting here in Stupidville thinking why didn't I ever try the CMH before?.....Well I can't wait for the next run because things are only getting better from here.

Thanks for your response, high roller. I've been tossing up the Green Power vs the 942's to replace my old retro white CMH. Your results combined with the fact that dimming the lamp shifts the spectrum towards blue (I may need to dim in my 2.5 X 2 space) is pushing me towards the Green power lamp.

 

[el6magiko]

hello guys can you tell me what cable are you using for this setup,1,5mm2 or 2,5mm2?thanks,stay safe.

 

[Jhhnn]

Thanks Jhnnn! Your opinion on the setup though... decent (or great) value? I've thought about little 2x2 monocrops. If these hold true to the 1+ gpw model... that's like a half pound a cycle... AT 210W! I could be satisfied with that kind of result.

I think it's an interesting option for a small DIY budget system, like with a cheap used reflector & lamp adapter. The lamp is not open fixture rated. I wouldn't expect 210's to be quite as efficient or quite as bright on a mag ballast vs a philips square wave electronic ballast.

I think it would probably work well in a 2x2 enclosure or slightly larger but I really don't know. Two of 'em in a 2x4 space might be nice.

I think it's kewl that we have Bandit reporting on them.

 

[CMH]

Did anyone use this 315W dimmable CMH ballast?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281954409601?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

 

[LastHurrah]

Did anyone use this 315W dimmable CMH ballast?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281954409601?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

$450... used on a road show... OUCH!

Same outfit sells the same ballast "brand new" for $400 on the same page.

Phantom 315 ballast (albeit non-dimmable) is just $209 on the same page.

Not sure about this one CMH.

LH

 

[LastHurrah]

The lamp is not open fixture rated.

How did I miss that... won't work then. These ballasts won't run T12's?

LH

 

[frostqueen]

Did anyone use this 315W dimmable CMH ballast?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281954409601?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

I seriously doubt that anyone with 5 minutes and Google would pay that price.

 

[bandit60001]

Lasthurrah- If youre referring to the venture mag ballasts im running, they will certainly work with t12 bulbs. I have one i picked up on ebay and tested.
I couldnt find reasonable prices on venture 210w t12s anywhere else. Philips bulbs may be easier/ cheaper to source.
Another note, i was impressed with the quality of the pgz18 sockets in the retro kit. Cast aluminum/ ceramic

 

[LastHurrah]

Thanks for that Bandit! I'm building as I type and the system seems just right to veg with. THANKS BRO! Just saved me a grip, improved my setup, and I'm using less wattage. Let's smoke!

LH

 

[Jhhnn]

How did I miss that... won't work then. These ballasts won't run T12's?

LH

The lamps furnished in the kit are T9's. 210w T12's will work, I'm sure.

 

[LastHurrah]

Philips bulbs may be easier/ cheaper to source

Really?! Surprising.

Jhhnn, Rives, or anyone else... the Phantom hood actually says 315 CDM on it. It should do fine with the 210... right?

LH