High Bay & Low Bay warehouse MH Ballast (BULB QUESTION)

toasterpower

toasterpower

Member
So i bought a low bay commercial 400Watt MH ballast for veg only for 40$. Then i bought a MH Bulb at the grow shop, thinking they are all the same, i bought the cheapest one. I was about to screw the bulb in, then i read the bulb box ''Not for use in pulse start ballast, or it WILL EXPLODE, START A FIRE AND KILL BABY KITTEN''... Worried about the kitten, i checked the ballast but it didn't have much information on it. I googled the number:
The closest model number i found who look like mine, need MH 400watt Pulse Start. It also state ''M155 bulb''... My question is: Can i use the Plantmax 400watt MH pulse start 7000K bulb (http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/88220/PX-MPS4007K.html) even if its not the same shape (Plantmax is T15 and Ballast use BT37 shape) and it did not have the ''M155'' certification? Those ''M155'' bulb are only 4000K/4200K and i would like to have at least 6000K... Thanks
 
hotrodharley

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
Try it and see if it explodes. No seriously call the bulb manufacturer tech line or support and ask them the question. They will be able to tell you.
 
toasterpower

toasterpower

Member
hotrodharley said:
It is not the shape of the glass itself but the type of start and the base.
Click to expand...
Well they are both Pulse start and E39 base....


hotrodharley said:
Try it and see if it explodes. No seriously call the bulb manufacturer tech line or support and ask them the question. They will be able to tell you.
Click to expand...
Cant find Plantmax official website... Only online reseller, and they don't have any clue, or just ignore my email.
 
smoke and coke

smoke and coke

Well-Known Member
the plantmax bulb in the link should be pulse start lamp and should work in your ballast. i would return the lamp you bought from the grow shop.

let me know if you need a hand making it a remote ballast.
 
toasterpower

toasterpower

Member
smoke and coke said:
the plantmax bulb in the link should be pulse start lamp and should work in your ballast. i would return the lamp you bought from the grow shop.

let me know if you need a hand making it a remote ballast.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I've read your thread about commercial fixture yesterday, found it on google, Very interesting! For the moment my lamp is in my computer room chained on a hook form the ceiling. For the moment, im planning to use it without the acrylic lens and spay paint the inside of the translucent reflector in white.

It will veg 6clone and temporally keep alive 4 mother!

BTW, i can't find much information about this bulb, is it safe to use it in a non-enclosed fixture?

 
smoke and coke

smoke and coke

Well-Known Member
toasterpower said:
Thanks! I've read your thread about commercial fixture yesterday, found it on google, Very interesting! For the moment my lamp is in my computer room chained on a hook form the ceiling. For the moment, im planning to use it without the acrylic lens and spay paint the inside of the translucent reflector in white.

It will veg 6clone and temporally keep alive 4 mother!

BTW, i can't find much information about this bulb, is it safe to use it in a non-enclosed fixture?
Click to expand...

idk i am in the process of buying a mh bulb for an open fixture (not pulse start). a lot of bulbs that are universal position are for enclosed fixtures only. there are some universal that are for open or enclosed fixture but must have the base up for open fixture. i am not sure about the plantmax bulb. i stopped using my mh bulb becuase i dont think its for an open fixture. so i will be set up with cfl's until i purchase a protected arc tube lamp.

make sure you get the high temp rated spray paint for that lens.
 
toasterpower

toasterpower

Member
I still have another question...
Open ballast bulb not available in my area, is it possible to buy an ''enclosed fixture bulb'' and use it with the acrylic lens? Will i lose to much lumen?
My ''veg'' room is also my home office, and flying melting glass is not welcome there.

HSP_P.jpg
 
toasterpower

toasterpower

Member
smoke and coke said:
this one should work pretty good for an open fixture.

http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/7383/MHS-10344.html


or take a look at this page the back button does not work so i had to keep typing in m155 lamp in the search after looking at each bulb.


http://www.1000bulbs.com/search/?q=m155+lamp
Click to expand...
I ordered this famous 7000K plantmax, from them and she was DOA... Apparently, Pulse Start bulb have this little reservoir inside the bulb and they are VERY sensible to shock. I'm not in USA and shipping/custom is expensive, thats why i'm looking for local alternative (aka 4000K closed ballast 15$ bulb)
 
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