Dimmable ballasts?

aussie (OZ) grower

aussie (OZ) grower

Active Member
Gday guys,
I have just had space free up where i can set up a hydro tent, and im debating what size light kit to go for. The tent will be 1.2m/4ft x2 and 2m/6.5ft 9 plants, 3x3 hydroponic set up

So I have found a 1000w light kit with vented hood, with a digital dimmable ballast, with 50/60/75/100% settings
What are your thoughts on this, that means early flower when the plants are smaller i could run 500w (50%) then every 2 weeks turn the light up a setting, so the plants would only be up to the 1000w for the last 2 weeks when they are big enough to need that much light,

Is this ok to do? or have i missed something that means this would be a bad idea? Would it stress the plants?
And yes it would be quite hot running a 1k light in that area, but would install a second exhaust fan, that would only have to operate for 2 weeks per cycle

Any input is most appreciated
 
Kannah-krazy

Kannah-krazy

Well-Known Member
If I could chime in , why not go for two lower wattage lamps , maybe 2 x 400w ballasts and lamps , it will cost a little more , however you will get better light distribution throughout your tent. You may even be able to get a solis tek 1000w digital lamp and a splitter cord and run two 400s on 80% ??

Don't go ahead and purchase , just thought you might like an extra opinion


You will just cover your space better , two smaller heat spots rather then one large one , are you air cooling your hoods ?

I do like the adjust a wings , best distribution imo
 
SPLFreak808

SPLFreak808

Well-Known Member
The only time you want to dim is if temps get too high or you get light bleaching with a permanent setup.
 
aussie (OZ) grower

aussie (OZ) grower

Active Member
I have a digital 1000w Lumatek Ballast that i picked up cheap a while back, but it isnt dimmable,
What i reckon i will do it just buy a 600w lighting kit, and then when i get to the last few weeks change out the 600 for the 1k light when they can really use it
Cause running a 1k light in that tent will get HOOOOT

Thanks for the input guys
 
S

shahomy

Well-Known Member
"What are your thoughts on this, that means early flower when the plants are smaller i could run 500w (50%) then every 2 weeks turn the light up a setting, so the plants would only be up to the 1000w for the last 2 weeks when they are big enough to need that much light"
No...only if you want small, airy, crappy bud...they need that light right away(assuming they`ve veged awhile)
I run 12 plants in a 7.5x8 room with 4000w`s from day 1 of bloom...if you can keep your canopy temps down around 80-85F, you should be fine.

 
Extrome

Extrome

Well-Known Member
I don't like the dimmable option on mine. Lowering it below 100% changes the color spectrum noticeably. So I just leave it on 100% all the time.
 
boilingoil

boilingoil

Well-Known Member
Why do you want to run only full power for the last 2 weeks? Give your plants the most light you can through the whole grow for best performance. Mother nature doesn't work like that!
 
VTMi'kmaq

VTMi'kmaq

Well-Known Member
lol, i'm a broken record with this shit i know, buy magnetic technology, that way your not being hemmed up by your cable guy or other digital scans picking up the digital ballasts interferance. there's actually a thread here about digi ballasts, they not so super better than magnetics sooo i don't understand why folks dont use them more often, just my two cents.
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
Don't dim HID lighting, period. Bad for lamp life, bad for spectrum, bad for efficiency.

If the thouie in your tent is too hot, take the direct approach and vent from just above the lamp.
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
VTMi'kmaq said:
lol, i'm a broken record with this shit i know, buy magnetic technology, that way your not being hemmed up by your cable guy or other digital scans picking up the digital ballasts interferance. there's actually a thread here about digi ballasts, they not so super better than magnetics sooo i don't understand why folks dont use them more often, just my two cents.
Click to expand...
Because they're inefficient. They eat ten to fifteen percent of the lamp's rated output, IN ADDITION to the wattage needed to run the lamp.

I'm with you and I have plenty of magnetic ballasts to prove it. That said, when a better tech comes along, it's time to seriously consider upgrading. I considered upgrading to DE HPS lights for a five to ten percent boost in efficiency but there were too many tradeoffs, like heat and the ultimate hotspot for a light distribution 'pattern.'

When I discovered COB LED, I did my homework and found that they're much more efficient than HID (blurple LED isn't), much longer lasting (like fucking forever if you run them softly!) and spectrum output is very good for growing plants. Finally, I looked carefully at quite a few grows here on RIU where the growers used the specific chips I'm most interested in- and they got excellent results.

The COBs will produce TWICE the light per watt as my 860W CDM lamps running on magnetic ballasts. No downside of pathetic spectrum distribution or crazy hotspots. THAT'S an upgrade I can believe in!
 
VTMi'kmaq

VTMi'kmaq

Well-Known Member
Cob led whatever is the newest flavor of the month....i am good with what i have. 40 bucks to replace a bulb and a ballast thats ran GREAT since 2008 WITH NO ISSUES! i like that. Have fun with cob and all that jazz, these mag lights do exactly what i need them to do.
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
VTMi'kmaq said:
Cob led whatever is the newest flavor of the month....i am good with what i have. 40 bucks to replace a bulb and a ballast thats ran GREAT since 2008 WITH NO ISSUES! i like that. Have fun with cob and all that jazz, these mag lights do exactly what i need them to do.
Click to expand...
You asked me why I am upgrading.

The COBs I'm using run about $45 each right now, pricing is falling monthly. I'll likely never have to replace a COB and they simply don't do lumen depreciation unless they're damaged.

I've used magnetic ballasts for years, they're definitely a proven technology. By the way, if you've been running your mags for that long, it's 'high' time to crack them open and replace those capacitors and igniters! Your power bill will thank me.

My personal action plan calls for me to develop a better way to grow cannabis indoors than it's currently being done. Magnetic ballasts and their inefficiencies preclude them from being a part of that paradigm.

People still enjoy riding horses- but you'll notice they drive their car back and forth to the stable these days...
 
skunkwreck

skunkwreck

Well-Known Member
Digital ballasts go bad the lights go out and it shuts down...magnetic ballasts goes bad the light goes out but the ballast keeps running... serious fire hazard .
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
skunkwreck said:
Digital ballasts go bad the lights go out and it shuts down...magnetic ballasts goes bad the light goes out but the ballast keeps running... serious fire hazard .
Click to expand...
True, but so rare it's never happened to me and I have many magnetic ballasts running for many years' experience in the matter.
 
boilingoil

boilingoil

Well-Known Member
There's pro and con to both types but I wonder why all the commercial lighting companies are switching to digital ballast in all their professional lights.
 
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