Are these OK?

[OldSkoolKlein]

Hi all, I just scored this on Ebay. Other than giving it a go when I pick it up in the next couple of days, I know bugger all about what brands are good, and what ones to laugh at and move along to the next item.

 

The description is: PowerPlant 400w HPS with White Wing shade and ballast.

 

Better still, I think it may be ok if i give a link to the auction, since it's ended and i won it. So go here.

 

Any comments, warnings or other feedback more than welcome.

 

Edit: I've had a squiz on the Google for instructions, with no help there; maybe Google is taking it easy being the w/end etc. Is there anything in the instructions that I'd need to know, as i'm a total newbie at this.

So while I'm at the mercy of anyone that read this, is it possible to fit a cooltube to this baby?

 

Thanks all!

 

OldSkoolKlein

Edited June 5, 2011 by OldSkoolKlein

[Frank Reynolds]

All I could tell you mate is I am using a powerplant 400w MH bulb for veg, haven't had a prob with it.

[OldSkoolKlein]

Sounds promising, thanks for that quick reply Buegeman.

Just in case for anyone that doesn't see the listing, I think it may be helpful to note that it hasn't been used for 2 years, so take that into consideration if you take the time to reply. I will try and get the seller to plug it in just to prove it works. I'm just thinking that if it hasn't been used for that amount of time that dust or gunk of some sort may get in there and give us a "surprise" when i gets turned on.

[fingabang]

Its a decent price but you have no idea how many times the light has been used.

 

The bulb will last 3-4 grows before it losses its mojo so i would buy a new 400whps bulb for it. He is likely to tell you it was only used once but don't trust him. Yes, do make sure it works before you pay.

[OldSkoolKlein]

Its a decent price but you have no idea how many times the light has been used.

 

The bulb will last 3-4 grows before it losses its mojo so i would buy a new 400whps bulb for it. He is likely to tell you it was only used once but don't trust him. Yes, do make sure it works before you pay.

 

Great advice there, thanks. It's amazing what you learn once you start getting stuff together, as opposed to just endlessly reading the forums. Now i realise that the learning curve will steepen again once i have the stuff together and i start a grow as well. Since it will be most likely the weekend b4 i get the lamp etc, that gives me a chance to look around for a lamp or 2, as i have seen elsewhere on the forums somebody mentioning a drama they had when they lost a globe and they had to get a spare, then someone else mentioned that they had a spare globe or 2 on hand just in case.

 

So, is there any rule to go for with lamps, ie, you get what you pay for, or particular brands are better irrespective of price?

 

P.S. I love your avatar; i call it the "Atomic finger" or "Nuclear Finger".

[fingabang]

I like the look of the sunmaster duel spectrum 400w hps. There is one on ebay for $38

[Ozzy420]

For me ya cant beat the Phillips Sun-T range, hands down IMO they is the best.

 

I have a 400w that have used for over 5 years now and lost count on how many grows it has done...

[Pleb Scrubber]

You could put it in a cooltube...

If you get a cooltube, it will effectively replace the reflector...

 

Bulbs only have so much life in them and lose output as they get used... might be a good idea to get a new bulb

[OldSkoolKlein]

After looking through the forums regarding lighting, and more specifically searching dual spectrum lights within those forums, i think of either going for a dual spectrum light like has been mentioned, OR, if i decide to go with an Auto for my 1st grow, i may get a MH and a HPS. My logic (?) with getting 2 different types would be that for example if i did go auto, i think i could get away with a HPS for the auto, get some 'stock' under my belt, then while i nibble away at that smallish yield, i'm saving money from not buying, I'm able to put away some $ for power bills, and then get the MH later.

 

When i get around to getting seeds, i'll get some auto's and normal feminised (or not) seeds. In the future, what i'd like to aim for is to be somewhat self-sufficient seed wise.

 

There are many ways that you can go here, which isn't a drama for me, it's more a matter of getting the info, get opinions, and then weigh the pro's and cons of each fork in the road i can take.

 

I don't know if anyone here remembers years ago, there was a series of books for kids called Choose your own Adventure. You'd read a few pages, then you had to make a choice. Choice A, you'd go to page X, choice B you'd go to page Y. This little adventure seems a lot like that, but more fun and is the result!

[The Hash Nibbler]

For me ya cant beat the Phillips Sun-T range, hands down IMO they is the best.

 

I have a 400w that have used for over 5 years now and lost count on how many grows it has done...

 

Heya =), I gotta agree with Ozzy420 Son T Philluips bulbs are awesome, just get a 400w HPS bulb called Phillips PowertoneSon-T 400 AGRO, they rule. Then as you already have a HPS ballast get a MH globe that runs in it, they are called conversion globes and it is a Phillips Master HPI-T Plus 400W/645. Both great globes. Quality globes last.................. Peace. Gh72