630W DE CMH - Anyone running these?

[paparov]

Was your ballast remote or on the fixture? Mines remote so that may be a factor, the HPS ballast was remote as well.

From that link you supplied.
"One watt from a grow light creates four British Thermal Units (BTUs) of heat that need to be cooled. So in comparison, one 600w HPS grow light puts off 2,400 BTU ’s whereas one 315 W CMH grow light puts off only 1,260 BTU’s, which is almost less than half the HPS light. "

"CMH is the best lighting possible for in-home growing. They’re efficient, run cooler than HPS or Double Ended bulbs, and with all the benefits of the new and long-time growers alike can’t go wrong."

Yes, CMH are indeed efficient. I remember reading that they convert ~50%+ of their energy into light while for HPS numbers sit at ~27-30%. Considering BTU, doing the math 630W CMH equals the heat produced by 600w HPS+ a miniscule amount of 120 BTU extra.

*Forgot to add that the ballast was remote.

 

[Renfro]

A recent shot of my 1kW DE HPS next to a 600 DE CMH at day 14 of 12/12



The CMH plant is shorter and not as full of branches as the HPS side.

 

[Renfro]

Yes, CMH are indeed efficient. I remember reading that they convert ~50%+ of their energy into light while for HPS numbers sit at ~27-30%. Considering BTU, doing the math 630W CMH equals the heat produced by 600w HPS+ a miniscule amount of 120 BTU extra.

*Forgot to add that the ballast was remote.

A HPS light will have a higher BTU per watt compared to CMH. You can't do the 3.41 watts per BTU math. HPS puts out more than 3.41 BTU/watt. Common numbers used by the industry for a 1kW HPS is 4500 (SE) to 6000 (DE) BTU/hr.

The CMH also doesn't put out as much infrared as the CMH.

Watt for watt a CMH is definitely cooler.

 

[AlaskaRob]

A recent shot of my 1kW DE HPS next to a 600 DE CMH at day 14 of 12/12

View attachment 4310840

The CMH plant is shorter and not as full of branches as the HPS side.

But I bet the stalks of the cmh lighted planets were thicker?

 

[Lucky Luke]

A recent shot of my 1kW DE HPS next to a 600 DE CMH at day 14 of 12/12

View attachment 4310840

The CMH plant is shorter and not as full of branches as the HPS side.

Are you running a square wave ballast or just the CMH lamp? (I know someone is and just wanted to clarify)

 

[Renfro]

But I bet the stalks of the cmh lighted planets were thicker?

No not the case, actually about the same. Less stalks too, not as full of a bush.

Are you running a square wave ballast or just the CMH lamp? (I know someone is and just wanted to clarify)

This lamp is designed for use with a HPS ballast:

https://growershouse.com/growers-choice-630w-de-double-ended-cmh-ceramic-mh-lamp-3k-r-red-enhanced

Please don't go on another long winded spiel about wave forms... lol I know you are big on square wave, this is a different bulb that is intended for high frequency HPS ballasts. "Use with a 1000w high frequency digital ballast dimmed down to 600w."

 

[Lucky Luke]

No not the case, actually about the same. Less stalks too, not as full of a bush.


This lamp is designed for use with a HPS ballast:

https://growershouse.com/growers-choice-630w-de-double-ended-cmh-ceramic-mh-lamp-3k-r-red-enhanced

Please don't go on another long winded spiel about wave forms... "

Didn't know I did..but its good to clarify as most people would just assume you were running a full CMH setup.
Edit: But you did on the first page....my bad.

 

[Renfro]

Edit: But you did on the first page....my bad.

lol your good.

 

[blazeaglory420]

Cool. I was actually thinking about doing this but in reality isnt the CMH running at only 600w instead of the 630w? Still Id like to try it.

 

[Renfro]

Cool. I was actually thinking about doing this but in reality isnt the CMH running at only 600w instead of the 630w? Still Id like to try it.

Yes it runs at 600.

@GoBrah makes DE 1kW CMH bulbs that you can run on a DE HPS ballast set to 1000 watts.

 

[ozziebud]

how ya goin renfro what did you think of the 1000w de cmh bulb you were testing i got a 6k 1000de mh bulb i ended up tacoing the leaves think i turned it up to soon so went back to phillps bulb

 

[Renfro]

how ya goin renfro what did you think of the 1000w de cmh bulb you were testing i got a 6k 1000de mh bulb i ended up tacoing the leaves think i turned it up to soon so went back to phillps bulb

Well I noticed the buds under that light foxtailed like crazy since I couldn't dim it for the last few weeks. The buds weren't as dense, about a 35% loss in weight weight on similar size nugs. The stems were weaker and very hollow. I was using the 3k. I was running DE Hortilux in the other fixtures and got epic harvest results. The CMH buds were very frosty just not as dense.

Maybe I am just dialed in for the HPS, I dunno. All the same strain.

 

[ozziebud]

Well I noticed the buds under that light foxtailed like crazy since I couldn't dim it for the last few weeks. The buds weren't as dense, about a 35% loss in weight weight on similar size nugs. The stems were weaker and very hollow. I was using the 3k. I was running DE Hortilux in the other fixtures and got epic harvest results. The CMH buds were very frosty just not as dense.

Maybe I am just dialed in for the HPS, I dunno. All the same strain.

thanks for reply i used to run 10 400s over 2 sometimes 3 plants just gone to hi par 1000w de with control panel just wondering will 2 light cover a 5x12 frame or should i go 3 lights and run end to end or should i have light overlapping thanks sorry for butting in on ya thread to

 

[Renfro]

Well I want 50-60 watts per sq ft of HPS. Is that what you will be running, HPS?

You can run less watts per sqft in veg.

 

[ozziebud]

Well I want 50-60 watts per sq ft of HPS. Is that what you will be running, HPS?

You can run less watts per sqft in veg.

yeah de hps so if i worked it out right i have 50 watts per square foot does that sound right 12 feet by 5 frame 3 1000s i have just under 8 feet ceilings

 

[Renfro]

The wattage per sqft works, just gotta make sure the plants don't get too tall.

 

[ozziebud]

The wattage per sqft works, just gotta make sure the plants don't get too tall.

cool was a bit worried might have done wrong thing going these 1000 de this pic is max height i usually go then im left with 3 to 3 and half feet to lights will that be enough hight last one in this room building new one at the moment with 10 foot ceilings

 

[welshsmoker]

I am currently running a 315 and 2 dutch lighting 1000w De. Just the difference with a 315 in the middle is unbelievable, and getting no stretch to notice and pulling about 8.5 per plant on a ten week cycle. Am thinking off upgrading to a 630 next. Highly recommended.

 

[AlaskaRob]

I am currently running a 315 and 2 dutch lighting 1000w De. Just the difference with a 315 in the middle is unbelievable, and getting no stretch to notice and pulling about 8.5 per plant on a ten week cycle. Am thinking off upgrading to a 630 next. Highly recommended.

My 630 dual bulb cmh works great using one 315w bulb, or both 315w bulbs in the same hood. Leaves a hot spot, but if you cut the corners and spread hood open to more of a glowing shape it works really well. I've been looking for a better option but ha ing hard time finding a dual bulb wide hood.

 

[welshsmoker]

HI alaska, I move my plants one place per day, no hotspots at all, and they are in 40Lt pots and maximum 2 foot when finished. Just using a cheap dutch wing reflector. Don't get that problem.