Can I put an MH in my HPS 150W set up?

[mjensen1989]

I have a sun system 150w HPS set up with built in ballast. I dont have the box for documentation so I dont know specifics about the set up. Has anyone put a MH bulb in this set up before? Any help would be appreciated. Here is the exact model I have I hope it can give someone more info.
http://www.amazon.com/Sun-System-Watt-Reflector-Ballast/dp/B00269RWQI

And if a MH bulb can work in it can someone give me a url? Thanks.

 

[Chummerbum]

no dood, the ballast is specific to an hps light. you would need a switchable digital ballast to run both. i think the ballast in that is magnetic

 

[KillerCannabis]

there are mh conversion bulbs you can use with the hps set up

 

[benzi2191]

mate if you have a digital that can support both mh and hps BUT! not all are switchable there are a few that aren't check if its 100% switchable first both cant help you with the url sorry mate

 

[Jack Harer]

If it's a magnetic ballast, then you can make it switchable by putting in a by-pass switch to isolate the striker cap. I've never had a digital, so I can't say about them.

 

[mygirls]

yes you can i run a 400wtt mh bilb in my 1000wtt hps ballast all the time.. digital or not.

 

[Jack Harer]

Ain't that weird?? I've done that too! I thought for sure the bulb would blow, but it seems to be fine after 2 grows!!!!

 

[frmrboi]

a ceramic metal halide is the best choice for that.

 

[Jack Harer]

Have they improved those? I looked into them about 3 years ago, and the lumens per watt were miserable compared to just an MH or HPS.

 

[frmrboi]

Have they improved those? I looked into them about 3 years ago, and the lumens per watt were miserable compared to just an MH or HPS.

couldn't tell ya, never used them but they are made to replace a hps bulb and have a rich color spectrum compared to a standard mh and give off a lot of UVB.

 

[Chummerbum]

did anyone even check the link to the light that was mentioned?

 

[Jack Harer]

Yeah, I read up on them a while back. MH puts out mad UVB (but the bulbs are shielded). I compared the lumens per watt ratio back then, and the conversion bulbs had significantly fewer lumens than did the straight MH or HPS. To the tune of over 10,000 fewer lumens with a 1K light if my memory serves me. A 400w had about 7 or 8 K fewer lumens as well.

PS: And having run grows under both types of bulbs for the entire grow, I find that I don't see a REAL significant difference in either yield or quality. At least not enough for me to really be worried about tweaking things to THAT degree. If there IS a difference in yield, it's a matter of grams, and my buds were every bit as dense under either bulb.

 

[frmrboi]

Yeah, I read up on them a while back. MH puts out mad UVB (but the bulbs are shielded). I compared the lumens per watt ratio back then, and the conversion bulbs had significantly fewer lumens than did the straight MH or HPS. To the tune of over 10,000 fewer lumens if my memory serves me.

a standard MH has VERY poor photo reactivity with plants so the extra lumens won't do you any good.

 

[Jack Harer]

All the MH bulbs I get at Home Depot (400w) and my 1Ks are around 5000 to 5700 DegK. I've never used a "standard" bulb. That looks right for them, tho. I have a minolta color temp meter (My deg is in Photography, and I worked as a commercial photographer for many years) so I check the spectrum even on my older bulbs, as they drift with age.