HPS bulb is way too hot - New to HPS Help please

I picked up a cheap 150W HPS and Ballast. Very cheap, so I bought it. I thought it'd be a great addition to my 250W of CFL's so I can use them as side lights. However, I have mounted my HPS at the top of the closet, But had a very bad feeling the wood above will burn. Any one know how I can prevent this? My own initiative isn't working well atm so I'd love your idea's and help.


Thanks to those who chose to help, here's some pictures...

What's the wattage on that hps?

lordjin said:

What's the wattage on that hps?

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Yeah forgot about that 150W

if your worried, hang the lamp from ceiling using hooks and chains.

I would hang it. maybe look into a DIY cool tube

like Kevb said, you really dont want to afix a light to the wall? as the heat? the size of that room is pretty big looking? If you hang it properly and still have a heat problem? fans, air cooled reflector, air conditioning. You do understand 150 hps and 250 cfl is only going to be good for about a 4'x4' canapy area?

Its definitely hot enough to burn your hand or your plants, but you shouldn't start a fire with a 150 watt HPS any more than you would with a conventional 150 watt incandscent light bulb.

Just make sure the ceramic bulb base and the bulb itself aren't touching anything flammable, and that your closet is well ventilated, and you should be fine.

I would say 3x3 area tops.

also if you fix it to the wall you won't be able to keep the lamp at its optimum distance from the plants.
it should be hung so you can raise it as they grow.

kevb123 said:

also if you fix it to the wall you won't be able to keep the lamp at its optimum distance from the plants.
it should be hung so you can raise it as they grow.

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I could just raise the plant, and lower as it grows? Same difference right? lol

Thanks for your replied, And I am not fond of spending money as most people.. I will take a look at a diy cool tube though!

CYNiCAL said:

I could just raise the plant, and lower as it grows? Same difference right? lol

Thanks for your replied, And I am not fond of spending money as most people.. I will take a look at a diy cool tube though!

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I think you've gotten sound advice here from all these users.

Raising the plant and lowering it as it grows might work, but that's only if the plant stays small enough to handle easily (and they usually don't). If you plan on a very micro grow with an easy-to-handle lollipop, it'll work. A more sizeable plant might be more of a struggle. You'll just need a very stable platform that is not difficult to adjust up/down. If the plant you plan on isn't too big, you should be able to do it. But you just don't know if it's practical or even desirable until you try it.

I understand what people have said about my space... I decided to move to a little broom cupboard.. It's taller.. I wanted to have my hps at the top and 250W of cfl's around the sides of the plant.. I will consider making a lowering mechanism, since in this cupboard there is a wooden beam at the top which I can get a hook and a chain on. I Appreciate all the advice, since this cupboard is surrounded by outdoor brick, it should stay pretty cool. Thanks for the advise, I'll post an update soon, getting to work on it now