Ballast light question

My brother had this from years ago. I never used it but need another light. Is there a bulb I can use for both veg and flower in this ballast?

Thanks

I have 3 of those and about the best for both times is a CMH bulb if you can find one. The one I have is a Philips but they aren't made any more. GE makes one that should be just the same. It's product code is 17259 and the order # is CMH400/V/PA/0 Could be an zero or an O at the end.

They're made to run off those old mag ballasts so would work on yours fine.

Another good choice and my fave is the Hortilux Super HPS. Looks like your standard HPS in output tho not so orange but has a decent amount of blue light for strong veg growth.

If you have access to a multimeter that can test capacitance I'd check the capacitor in the ballast. A weak cap gives off weaker light and is easy to replace.

Right now I'm running a 400W Hortilux conversion bulb in the a 400W HPS ballast. Gives MH light from that ballast but my ballast is about 40 years old or older and still works fine with it's original capacitor tho I need to check it as the light seems dimmer than I remember. Hard-wired in so will have to cut the wires to test it. Most have spade plugs that are easy to pull off for testing or replacement.

I would do what is suggested on the ballast. CMH conversion bulbs aren't all that great IMO, and I have run them before. HPS is fine for veg and flower.

You can get a sylvania grolux hps dual spec for around £20 it's a firm favourite in the UK I've done a few crops start to finish under them.

Sun mater is another decent reasonably priced dual spec and there's Philips green power horticulture at twice the price +

I like my hps 1k but found a 400mh or 2 can round out spec for start to finish gŕow, better tahan either as stand alone.

I am not very knowledgable when it comes to conversion with lights/bulbs and what works best and why so here for advice and a knowledge source.

Would this one work for both veg and flower? Also, when you have it on flower, does having a ballast on a timer work out ok? Does the on and off with the timer increase hazards like bulbs blowing? Stupid question i know but there have been people i knew that had equipment fail with the on off regularity of the timer. Not often but don't want to i crease a hazard.

Sunlite 03636-SU LU400/MOG High Pressure Sodium Light Bulb, 400 Watts, ED18/MOG, Mogul Base (E39), ANSI Code S51, 48,000 Lumen, 20,000 Life Hours, Clear, 2100K

GrowTime38 said:

I am not very knowledgable when it comes to conversion with lights/bulbs and what works best and why so here for advice and a knowledge source.

Would this one work for both veg and flower? Also, when you have it on flower, does having a ballast on a timer work out ok? Does the on and off with the timer increase hazards like bulbs blowing? Stupid question i know but there have been people i knew that had equipment fail with the on off regularity of the timer. Not often but don't want to i crease a hazard.

Sunlite 03636-SU LU400/MOG High Pressure Sodium Light Bulb, 400 Watts, ED18/MOG, Mogul Base (E39), ANSI Code S51, 48,000 Lumen, 20,000 Life Hours, Clear, 2100K

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I've been running HID lights since '82 and they don't seem bothered by switching on and off each day. Rarely have had a bulb just up and die and never had one explode.

I have a few.