GroErr
Well-Known Member
It is somewhat confusing because there's different bulbs/technology but they call them CMH. Key is the All-start lines will run on standard ballasts. The Elite Agro line which only come in 210w and 315w ONLY (anyone that tells you different doesn't know what they're talking about and probably trying to rip you off) require a specific ballast to fire them. Philips of course makes one, plus you can see a couple of 3rd party companies are now making them, but those Elite Agro's will not fire on a standard MH/HPS ballast regardless of whether it's digital or magnetic.I'm confused about ballasts for CMH. I thought CMH required an electronic/digital ballast.
1. It sounds like it will work with ordinary magnetic ballasts (hyroot, dawg and you). In what ways would digital or magnetic make a difference?
2. Dawg (above) said he runs his CMH bulb on an HPS ballast. In what way would that matter (compared to using an MH ballast)?
3. Yesterday this guy found a $90 120v/240v switchable (MH/HPS) digital ballast system. Could a person use an Agro All-Start CMH bulb in this?
Thanks.
Spec-wise the Elite Agro 315's are more efficient, likely slightly cooler. In practice I've never seen a side by side so can't comment on whether the Elite Agro's are better than the All-Start's. I can vouch for the 315w Elite Agro's, they grow some very nice quality and quantity, easy to get 1 gpw with a decent producing strain and well above that if things are tuned in. I've been running them for over a year and wouldn't switch to anything other than maybe run a combo with some COBs.