Can Philips 315w T12 3100K bulb be air cooled and hung horizontally?

I grow in a 3'x3' tent and I would like to use a Philips 315w LEC/CMH T12 3100K bulb in this reflector

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Is there any reason why I cannot use the bulb in this reflector, hang the reflector horizontally, and air cool it with ambient room temp (not air conditioned) from outside the tent? I understand that I will lose the UV from the light as well as a percentage of lumens. I am okay with that.

The reason I ask is because I read conflicting reports of being able to hang T12 CMH bulbs in the horizontal position and air cooling them. Some said air cooling will shorten the lifespan of the light and stop it from producing the correct light spectrum.

I already have a PGZX to mogul base adapter and have confirmed that the socket assembly and bulb fit in this reflector.

Thanks
 

DanKiller

Well-Known Member
There's a 10% reduction in performance when you air cool bulbs, that's about it
CMH and MH don't emitt UV, even though intensity appears in their range on the Spectra maps, UV is very short waves, they dont travel far, also the glass jacket is filtering most of the UV so UV is not a reason to buy CMH, it's very marginal.
I recommend you go with real science and put a 400w hps instead.
You'll get 50% more light for the same watt, more heat in winter, cheaper bulbs
The science of CMH , MH , HPS is clear
HPS wins, total output is everything in light sources, Spectrum is not even 2nd
2nd is spread of that light.
 

DanKiller

Well-Known Member
By all means you can use the CMH you have already, but you are giving up on 50% more light
That's a big factor in tents, especially with not so big hoods, especially if you plan to take them down in performance further with cooling them
The only reason it's worth buying a new ballast and bulb is because it's so cheap
Don't go to brand name ballasts as it's all the same wiring inside, nothing fancy
If you wanna go quality, Lumatek, Sun System, Adjusta Watt,
But it's really not necessary so much, they all work the same
Focus on the bulbs
Buy quality bulbs, Philips preferably.
If you can and wanna spend, buy the 400V ballasts from Lumatek, run 400V bulbs, as they are the best outta the HID world
I don't think there's a 400W 400V bulb though, so if your not going above 400W, disregard that last idea haha
 

Blue brother

Well-Known Member
I was allover air cooling bulbs for years, eventually I learned it's best just to let the bulb run at the correct operating temperature and use whatever fan you were gonna air cool with to add to air exchange. It did make humidity a lot easier to manage though.
 
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