MH bulb in a HPS Ballast

[KushKing604]

well i bought all my grow lights and the guy at the hydro shop told me i can use mh bulbs in hps ballast as long as its for a short period of time 2-3 weeks. well im doing a sea of green grow and that should be fine but has anyone else ever heard this thx

 

[Dirtyboy]

Yes its ok. I have done it for years.

 

[thelastpirate]

Yes its ok. I have done it for years.

My HPS lights came with MH bulbs. They were salvaged commercial lighting. So obviously they were burning MH in the HPS fixtures. I tried to get it to work, no joy. I have heard it can be done, and I wish I knew how, but all I get from a MH bulb in the HPS ballast is a dim blue flicker.

 

[Reefer Rick]

Might wanna have a look

How To Make Your Own Switchable Hps/mh Ballast - BC Bud Depot Forums

 

[Dirtyboy]

My HPS lights came with MH bulbs. They were salvaged commercial lighting. So obviously they were burning MH in the HPS fixtures. I tried to get it to work, no joy. I have heard it can be done, and I wish I knew how, but all I get from a MH bulb in the HPS ballast is a dim blue flicker.

Perhaps your bulb is bad.

 

[thelastpirate]

Perhaps your bulb is bad.

RRick, +rep 4 U!!! Thanx. I will get right on that today. I'll let ya know how it goes.

Dirty, I thought about that. But I ended up with several new MH bulbs, and tried them all. At first I thought my ballast had gone out. It TRIED to light the bulb at one point. I think it's all good tho, 'cuz that link Reefer Rick posted looks like it will solve the problem. Much appreciated guys!!!

 

[thelastpirate]

Well.............NO joy!!!! There were no pics in the link, and the description was for different wiring than mine. I can get a MH bulb to fully light but it goes out in about 5 min. I have 5 400w GE "omni-glow" lumineres, adapted for remote ballast, and if it isn't a recommended application, they won't tell you shit!!! On a more positive note, I did find some more MH fixtures, so I'm off to get a couple more.