Need help with 70W HPS
- Thread starter Bagseeder
- Start date
taken from htg supply website
What is a ballast and why do I need one?
The ballast is the electrical component of a High Intensity Discharge (H.I.D.) or Fluorescent light that makes it work. The ballast is necessary to operate a H.I.D. or Fluorescent light. It converts the electricity from your home into the specific energy frequency needed to operate the lamp. Each specific H.I.D. lamp type (High Pressure Sodium [HPS], Metal Halide [MH], etc.) and wattage type (150, 250, 400, 600, 1000, etc.) have a specific ballast for each type and wattage of H.I.D. lamp. They are not compatible with each other, you cannot use different lamp types or wattages in your light other than the one specifically made for it. The only exception is using a "Conversion" lamp which is made to operate in a specific fixture. The ballast will typically have a power cord which plugs into your wall outlet. The ballast will also have an output receptacle or output cord which attached to the socket for your lamp. What is a reflector and why do I need one? Reflectors (also known as: hoods, shades, fixtures, etc), serve the purpose of directing the light output from your lamp towards your garden. The reflector may serve as an enclosure for your lamp, and if equipped with a glass lens, will reduce the heat directed toward your garden. Additionally, if the reflector is equipped with cooling flanges, the reflector may be "air-cooled" with the help of a fan, and most of the heat created by your lighting system may be carried away from you garden via this air cooling method. A well designed and constructed reflector will dramatically increase your indoor garden yields while a poorly designed reflector will rob your indoor garden of the precious lumens it needs for maximum growth. ALWAYS, use a Horizontal reflector, as "Vertical and Vertizontal" reflectors are very inefficient. ALWAYS use a reflector with "spectral pebbled aluminum inserts" as these dramatically improve the performance of your reflector.
What is a ballast and why do I need one?
The ballast is the electrical component of a High Intensity Discharge (H.I.D.) or Fluorescent light that makes it work. The ballast is necessary to operate a H.I.D. or Fluorescent light. It converts the electricity from your home into the specific energy frequency needed to operate the lamp. Each specific H.I.D. lamp type (High Pressure Sodium [HPS], Metal Halide [MH], etc.) and wattage type (150, 250, 400, 600, 1000, etc.) have a specific ballast for each type and wattage of H.I.D. lamp. They are not compatible with each other, you cannot use different lamp types or wattages in your light other than the one specifically made for it. The only exception is using a "Conversion" lamp which is made to operate in a specific fixture. The ballast will typically have a power cord which plugs into your wall outlet. The ballast will also have an output receptacle or output cord which attached to the socket for your lamp. What is a reflector and why do I need one? Reflectors (also known as: hoods, shades, fixtures, etc), serve the purpose of directing the light output from your lamp towards your garden. The reflector may serve as an enclosure for your lamp, and if equipped with a glass lens, will reduce the heat directed toward your garden. Additionally, if the reflector is equipped with cooling flanges, the reflector may be "air-cooled" with the help of a fan, and most of the heat created by your lighting system may be carried away from you garden via this air cooling method. A well designed and constructed reflector will dramatically increase your indoor garden yields while a poorly designed reflector will rob your indoor garden of the precious lumens it needs for maximum growth. ALWAYS, use a Horizontal reflector, as "Vertical and Vertizontal" reflectors are very inefficient. ALWAYS use a reflector with "spectral pebbled aluminum inserts" as these dramatically improve the performance of your reflector.
tomahawk2406
Well-Known Member
yeah man you need a ballast. for 70 hps, their usually internal ballasts built into the fixture.