dimming 1000w MH & HPS globes

[Razz0r]

Allow all,

 

While Iam 99% sure I got my answer to this, I think its always best to ask.

 

So running a globe at a lower wattage I have read two things.

 

A) That it may change the light spectrum... But reading some tests etc - it does but the change is tiny.

 

That it can damage the globe / shorten the life span. - This I haven't found a solid answer to.

 

So, main questions to everyone here is :

 

Have you ever run a full grow on a 1000w globe dimmed to 600 w from the ballast?

If so did it shorten the life of the globe?

[Dingo-2008]

You will be ok to run the 1000 watt globe at 600 watt.

 

I have to 600/watt HPS Digital ballasts an some time if it is to hot the room temps I just rum my 600/watt globes at 400/watt with no prob's.

 

If your globe is the right kind to run in the digital ballast you will be ok.

 

An if the globe shits it self,It is better the globe crapping it self than you having fried plants.

 

What make of globe an ballast do  you have.?????

 

Regards,Dingo-2008.

[forgetiwashere]

I wouldnt do it. There id tons of threads at thcfarmer about it causing all sorts of issues because of poor spectrum

 

im pretty sure your looking at a solis tek bsllast with that ballast you can run any size lamp so you would be better off just grabbing a 600w lamp to run in it instead

Edited March 31, 2015 by forgetiwashere

[T.WilyRR.]

I wouldnt do it. There id tons of threads at thcfarmer about it causing all sorts of issues because of poor spectrum

 

im pretty sure your looking at a solis tek bsllast with that ballast you can run any size lamp so you would be better off just grabbing a 600w lamp to run in it instead

 

Any specific links? Id be interested to see.

 

Btw good thread topic.

[Razz0r]

Cheers guys. 

 

Some reading I did - there was talk of tests - but nothing solid.... 

 

 

 

Speaking of dimmable.., If you use the dimming feature will it change the spectrum of the bulb? Will dimming a 1000w 2000k bulb to 75% change the spectral output any? I know that the bulbs are designed to run at a specfic wattage, just always wondered.

 

Good question! Dimming the bulbs will not change the spectrum from our lab test (It depends on the spec of the bulb you are using obviously, all lab test is under a control environment). For the one we had tested for our 1000W ballast
Hortilux(LU1000 B/ HTL /EN) HPS & Hortilux(LU1000 MH / HTL /EN ) HPS/MH
Even at the lowest dimming setting the spectrum did not change.

 

.I've always wondered the same myself...From some looking around I couldn't find any solid proof one way or the other..... the majority of people opinions around the web was that it doesn't change, but again, that was with no solid proof or test results...

 

 

and found this....

 

 

Kelly at Nutrilife Products has done tests with digital ballast and dimming down 1000W HPS bulbs and using a 

spectrophotometer says there was very little change in spectrum when the ballasts were dimmed down. Its interesting as I thought the gas had to be certain temperature to produce certain wave lengths.

 

The study I cited went as low as 20% before the bulb extinguished. 

I think some lamps extinguished between 20-50% dim.

 

Its all up in the air really. 

 

Yes I am looking at the Solistek 1000w ballast - with a couple of globes that I really can't run in my tent - so I figured... 

Why not try and run them at the 600w and see what the deal is..  It doesn't seem to matter if its MH or HPS either. 

 

I might Guinea pig it and give it a try... I don't have anything like a spectrum meter... but I might be able to get a loan of one if we really wanna test and see. 

 

Other wise - yes - I will of course just get the right globe going forward.  

 

Thanks again all - sorry for being a pain in the ass noob  

[Frank Reynolds]

Few extra bucks to get the solistek matrix ballast? Then use whatever globe you want?

[Razz0r]

Thats what I got  

[Dingo-2008]

Then you will not have any probs with the globe shitting it self.

 

But I cant say anything about the light spectrum like Forget said I know it changes but how much I dont know.

 

But I can tell you that I have never had any probs with my plants when droping the wattage from 600/watt to 400/watt or less an I have a{ quantum 600/watt Digital ballast & 600/watt lumatek ballast } an have never suffered from a loss of weight from it.

 

That is not to say that it don't effect the crop weights out come.

 

regards,Dingo-2008.

[Razz0r]

Then you will not have any probs with the globe shitting it self.

 

But I can tell you that I have never had any probs with my plants when droping the wattage from 600/watt to 400/watt or less an I have a{ quantum 600/watt Digital ballast & 600/watt lumatek ballast } an have never suffered from a loss of weight from it.

That is not to say that it don't effect the crop weights out come.

 

regards,Dingo-2008.

 

That is what I was wanting to hear  

 

Either way it will be interesting to see the out come of the test

[weedlaweeder]

700w is better there is Remo interview a Spanish dude that has those ballast allin1