Why do we need ballasts for HPS bulbs?

[whitewidow2]

Ok so i was thinking of changing my 150w CFL which im currently using for flowering to a 250w HPS - but apparently it wont just screw in to the socket of the reflector and work

What are ballasts and why do we need them for HPS thx.

 

[whatoncewas]

The light would explode.

 

[lazy88]

cuz they run on a diff elc current..u need a ballast to switch it over..u canget a ballast at any home-depot.menards...
and that 150 watt cfl is prolly more like a 23 watt. its just like a 150 watt lightbulb..it just uses 23 watts,and puts out the same amount of lummins as a 150 watt lightbulb..correct me if im wrong somebody?

 

[tyke1973]

No dude you have hit the nail right on the head what a ballast does is takes some of the power used by the light makeing it much safer.the same thing has a 110 transformer that builders use.never seed a ballast for a cfl i have seen connecters that allow you to use one plug instead of say 3 .all these have is a fuse that will blow before anything else or trip the electricity so you won't have fires.

 

[whitewidow2]

So if i changed my 150w red spectrum CFL for say a 250w HPS for flowering or even a 400w - what kind of yield can i expect per plant?

I got told the way im doing it just now ill only get 1/4 to 1/2 an oz per plant?

 

[wannaknow033]

cuz they run on a diff elc current..u need a ballast to switch it over..u canget a ballast at any home-depot.menards...
and that 150 watt cfl is prolly more like a 23 watt. its just like a 150 watt lightbulb..it just uses 23 watts,and puts out the same amount of lummins as a 150 watt lightbulb..correct me if im wrong somebody?

the 150-200 watt eqivalent cfl's are usually the 42 watt

 

[wannaknow033]

So if i changed my 150w red spectrum CFL for say a 250w HPS for flowering or even a 400w - what kind of yield can i expect per plant?

I got told the way im doing it just now ill only get 1/4 to 1/2 an oz per plant?

it all depends, i am running a cfl setup right now with just 42 watt 2500k's with only 2 plants until i can get my full setup again, there almost ready to harvest, i am lookin at about 3-4 oz.

 

[whitewidow2]

it all depends, i am running a cfl setup right now with just 42 watt 2500k's with only 2 plants until i can get my full setup again, there almost ready to harvest, i am lookin at about 3-4 oz.

3-4oz off of just two plants?...

Is that before you have dried it out?

If i could get that id be pretty chuffed considering i have 5 plants in total and only two so far have proved to be female (i think the other 3 might well be hermies!!) How many CFLs are you using?