Multiple Hps Bulbs in Parrallel to Single Ballast

potlike

potlike

Well-Known Member
While I am definitely a diy'r and have wired several electrical outlets, my understanding of electricity is limited. Was wondering if instead of one 600w bulb if I was to use 4 150w in parallel to a single 600w digital ballast if that would work? The idea would be to get better light penetration and with cool tubes around each one more usable lumens over the entire grow area as there would be a more even distribution of light. Let me know.


-pot
 
K

kindprincess

Well-Known Member
i wouldnt' try it; the bulbs are rated for individual transformer sizes. i play with electricity a bit, but this can kill you if it doesn't work right. do you really want to take the chance?

kp
 
000420

000420

terpenophenolic
no it won't work, for a few reasons and it would be dangerous, one thing is the ignitor in a 600 watt ballast would not strike all 4 bulbs, you would need 4 ignitors made for 150 watt bulbs and one for each bulb......I can go on if you want with other reasons but only if you want...i'm to stoned to type..and yes i'm an electrician and a tv repair man
 
FilthyFletch

FilthyFletch

Mr I Can Do That For Half
Id say probably not as the hps igniter may be to much and would probably pop the first bulb before even going through the entire chain. If you try it post back and let use know if it works or if your in the hospital lolCreative thinking though
 
potlike

potlike

Well-Known Member
appreciate the answer guys... I've just played a little bit with electrical wiring and never done anything major as I don't know all of the theory behind it, and that is a dangerous thing to do. I am considering making 4 diy 150w ballast then and maybe selling my 600w any takers? :) I've done some math and you can keep the 150 watts less than 6 inches away and that compared to 2 feet away with one 600watter is MORE efficient.

-pot
 
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ryan2clw

New Member
I have a degree in electrical engineering. This should help:
Assuming that the 150 (W) bulbs have 1/4 of the resistance compared to the 600(W) bulb, you would need to run them in series. In series circuits, you add the resistances. If you run things in parallel, you're going to lower the equivalent resistance, because there are more paths for the electricity to travel. If you ran it parallel you would have 16 times more current than you intended and things would go fizzle and boom.
 
Flagg420

Flagg420

Well-Known Member
the thing is, dropping ur wattage that low, u may as well be running CFL's.... We use HIDs for the powerful light penetration.... ur not gonna get that w/ 150w.... meaning only the top 3inches of your plants are getting enough light.... I wouldn't drop below 250w on an hps bulb, feels.... wasteful... just my $0.02
 
Midwest Weedist

Midwest Weedist

Well-Known Member
Why 150 watt bulbs? At least aim for 250 if you're going to try and run them in a series for the light penetration. I have a 150 watt hps and the penetration isn't shit compared to a 250 or higher. I may be wrong on this, but wouldn't it also cost more to run that many bulbs over 1?
 
butterbudface

butterbudface

Well-Known Member
not gonna work caps to small and ignition wont fire all 4 like someone said earlier. There are other ways.... but they are complicated.
 
000420

000420

terpenophenolic
ryan2clw said:
I have a degree in electrical engineering. This should help:
Assuming that the 150 (W) bulbs have 1/4 of the resistance compared to the 600(W) bulb, you would need to run them in series. In series circuits, you add the resistances. If you run things in parallel, you're going to lower the equivalent resistance, because there are more paths for the electricity to travel. If you ran it parallel you would have 16 times more current than you intended and things would go fizzle and boom.
Click to expand...
Actually that does not apply in this case. HPS lamps are gas discharge lamps which exhibit negative differential resistance when operating which is why they require a ballast, to limit the current through the ionized gas.
 
dehv

dehv

New Member
butterbudface said:
not gonna work caps to small and ignition wont fire all 4 like someone said earlier. There are other ways.... but they are complicated.
Click to expand...
so looking at this:

Which is a 400W MH SYLVANIA 67811

I would assume it is 2x200W bulbs in parallel struck by the single (ext) igniter.

So to run 4x150's on a 600 - if the cap was PF correcting in parallel the cap value should be ok in parallel.... and what if you just wired up 4 separate starters one for each 150w bulb?
 
dehv

dehv

New Member
in my case i just ordered a dozen 70W Hps bulbs, and have a couple new 150W Hps ballast kits with starters/caps.

So i was thinking 2 (with their own starters after the ballast) in parallel with the ballast, to match the same value cap as 150W (14uF).

Or maybe single 7uFs on each 70w bulb/starter combo?
 
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growingforfun

Well-Known Member
Grow the fuck up and use a 1kw bulb.

What's with the new wave of grower trying to make things so hard and reinvent the wheel? Yes I realize this is a old thread but I mean this both in general and at the person who bumped it.

Jesus growing erb shouldnt be complicated it should be relaxing. Dont risk burning your house down or killing yourself.
 
dehv

dehv

New Member
In this case it's a "use what you got" theoretical more than practical question. Or should I be a big boy and stroke your 1000w cock I can't afford when I have brand new equipment sitting here?

The worst that could happen is it doesn't work, we're not talking about overdriving here. Besides, there's one youtube where a guy overdrives a 70w mercury vapor to some 3000W before it pops (inside the outer bulb).

Like the OP said, why burn your plants or waste light because you have to keep them farther away, when you could use more small lamps and distribute the light evenly over a given area - in this case FOR FREE???
 
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growingforfun

Well-Known Member
dehv said:
In this case it's a "use what you got" theoretical more than practical question. Or should I be a big boy and stroke your 1000w cock I can't afford when I have brand new equipment sitting here?

The worst that could happen is it doesn't work, we're not talking about overdriving here. Besides, there's one youtube where a guy overdrives a 70w mercury vapor to some 3000W before it pops (inside the outer bulb).

Like the OP said, why burn your plants or waste light because you have to keep them farther away, when you could use more small lamps and distribute the light evenly over a given area - in this case FOR FREE???
Click to expand...
In your case.... just dont grow. If you cant afford the 30 bucks a month the 1kw costs to run, or the 150$-300$ depending on model.... just dont do it. Growing erb isnt for children. Gotta be over 18 to use the forum buddy. Please dont burn your parents house down or something like that.
 
dehv

dehv

New Member
Funny, thanks for your constructive input. I'll leave the growing to you "expert priest types", who apparently are better at growing "erb" and thinking inside the hotbox than everyone else I suppose.

Oh wait! I'm already growing and don't give a fuck what you're smoking - I was just trying to have a theoretical conversation before you brought all this negativity to the thread.
 
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growingforfun

Well-Known Member
dehv said:
Funny, thanks for your constructive input. I'll leave the growing to you "expert priest types", who apparently are better at growing "erb" and thinking inside the hotbox than everyone else I suppose.

Oh wait! I'm already growing and don't give a fuck what you're smoking - I was just trying to have a theoretical conversation before you brought all this negativity to the thread.
Click to expand...
Please keep several smoke alarms all over your house and many fire extinguishers handy. Dont be afraid to just run outside and let it burn.

#thoughtsandprayers
#nostupidquestionsonlystupidpeople
 
dehv

dehv

New Member
growingforfun said:
Please keep several smoke alarms all over your house and many fire extinguishers handy. Dont be afraid to just run outside and let it burn.

#thoughtsandprayers
#nostupidquestionsonlystupidpeople
Click to expand...
Of course, don't forget the smoke alarm superglued to your bald spot - for when the knob and tube in your brain starts what's left of your grey hair on fire.
#thoughtcrimes #1984joke #feedthetrolls #jerkthepriest

Regarding the actual topic at hand, series wouldn't work because of the mentioned above resistance pre-arc, but parallel in theory should work with single igniter. Check the power factor is >0.9 and capacitors are matched.
 
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