400w MH high bay multitap / what about HPS conversion bulb

So I found a holophane high bay 400w HID fixture on ebay for 20 dollars and I can get it local pickup.

However, it's a metal halide and I was really looking to go high pressure sodium but for 20 bucks I feel like it's a steal.

Startup costs would be cheap even if I had to buy conversion bulbs but I don't know anything about them.

Can anyone give me the run down on 360w HPS conversion bulbs for 400w MH fixtures? Are they safe? Will it have to be replaced often? Know of anywhere to get a good one? or a cheapish one?

If it is real cheap make sure you have the right electric to run it. Some of the run on 3 phase 480 and they go cheap because they don't work with residential electric. It is also better to get an HPS light because you can add a switch that takes the HPS ignitor out of the circuit and you can run straight metal halide bulbs in it. If you are a DIY'er and not scared of doing that type of thing. It's the same as if you bought a switchable ballast. Then you don't need to mess with conversion bulbs. By the time you get growing you will probably have a clone room, veg room and flower room and be using different lights anyway. I prefer flourescents to veg or clone and HPS to flower. That is what gives me the results I want but you certainly won't have any problems veg'ing with a 400 watt MH. The lower MH lights I've experienced and had others have experienced stretching with. I just switched back to full size flourescent tubes, the cfl's seem to directional unless you are doing one or two plants. That's been my experience, if you want more help ask.

Furthur said:

So I found a holophane high bay 400w HID fixture on ebay for 20 dollars and I can get it local pickup.

However, it's a metal halide and I was really looking to go high pressure sodium but for 20 bucks I feel like it's a steal.

Startup costs would be cheap even if I had to buy conversion bulbs but I don't know anything about them.

Can anyone give me the run down on 360w HPS conversion bulbs for 400w MH fixtures? Are they safe? Will it have to be replaced often? Know of anywhere to get a good one? or a cheapish one?

Click to expand...

Ok so you bought this one http://cgi.ebay.com/400W-HID-High-Bay-Light-Fixtures_W0QQitemZ180309529600QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item29fb491400&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

Now if it is not wired for 120volts it can be. Check this post out on how to wire a similar fixture https://www.rollitup.org/do-yourself/164853-how-use-industrial-low-bay.html

Now how do you intend to hang it. Buy it self it is ok, but better mounted vertical for optimal light distribution.

I bought a 400 MH and a 400 HPS fixture off of ebay. Followed instructions on how to rewire them, and they work great.

I use a portable wardrobe closet, with a cool tube.

As far as the bulbs you ar asking about they are not cheap. But here is one that is pretty cheap http://www.1000bulbs.com/360-Watt-HPS-Conversion-Lamps/908/

If it was me I would buy a HPS high bay light off of ebay. For the money you spend on thatbulb you could buy another HPS high bay fixture.

Jst my two cents

yeah that's the one. It said it was multitap and I actually read that thread and that's what gave me the idea to get a high bay from ebay.

I plan on remote ballasting it with those directions, not quite exactly sure how I'm going to do it yet but I'm a hands on visual learner, if I have the thing in front of me I'll figure it out.

To hang it, I have a sun lift system I was going to use for 4 2' T5's that I rigged to a grated closet organizer shelf board using zip ties.