BEST 600w HPS light on market ?? (value/price/best)

[nasd90]

I was recently over a fellow growers house and noticed his 600w HPS. I have the 400w HPS that came with the StealthHydro 400w kit and it has worked, but I believe it to be inefficient in both the ballast, hood and of course electric bill.

So, I'm thinking of upgrading and was wondering who knows of the best one for a decent price ?

I want to do this once, the right way. I may opt for a 1,000w HPS if my elec bill doesn't go up too much more.


Hope this makes sense & Thank you for your responses in advance. I promise to throw some REP your way bro's...



Peace.

 

[yanksck73]

i'm also interested because i'm going to buy a 600w HPS light soon.

Anyone?

 

[UserFriendly]

If you want efficient you should get a digital ballast.... 1Kw if you can. C.A.P. has a really good warranty.

plantlightinghydroponics.com/cap-nextgen-ballasts-c-357_646.html

 

[nasd90]

If you want efficient you should get a digital ballast.... 1Kw if you can. C.A.P. has a really good warranty.

plantlightinghydroponics.com/cap-nextgen-ballasts-c-357_646.html

Thanks. Those are nice but pricey.

I just don't know if 1k hps would be too much on my electric bill. I don't want to go too crazy. I recently was at a friends house and he had a 600w hydrofarm setup, really nice.

Whatcha think ?


I was just wondering also if there was any blast that had a complete setup for a decent price that was just a great light & setup ?

Also, do you know if 240v power supply will make any difference ?


Thanks & REP to all...

 

[UserFriendly]

The 600w C.A.P. is only $190. All you need is that, a cordset, and a lamp. That's a pretty damn good setup right there...... don't even need a reflector. I know where you can get a 600w digital for $170 if you're willing to run 240v.

 

[nasd90]

The 600w C.A.P. is only $190. All you need is that, a cordset, and a lamp. That's a pretty damn good setup right there...... don't even need a reflector. I know where you can get a 600w digital for $170 if you're willing to run 240v.

Gotcha... but then I have to mix-n-match. I would like to buy an all-in-one if possible.

Why wouldn't I need a reflector ?

Also, what are the pros/cons of running 240v ?

Thank you & REP.

 

[UserFriendly]

Gotcha... but then I have to mix-n-match. I would like to buy an all-in-one if possible.

Why wouldn't I need a reflector ?

Also, what are the pros/cons of running 240v ?

Thank you & REP.

I'm not going to tell you how to shop.

240v = more equipment on one circuit

 

[MrFishy]

I've found 600's harder to easily find and always more expensive than most other hps bulbs. If you live in the boonies, and go 600, best stock up when you find a decent bulb at a decent price.
I'm using this High Tech Garden Supply . . . other than some bearable TV interference from the ballasts, no real issues in 6 months, other than 2 warrantied bulbs dying way too quickly, with me out in the boonies!

 

[nasd90]

I've found 600's harder to easily find and always more expensive than most other hps bulbs. If you live in the boonies, and go 600, best stock up when you find a decent bulb at a decent price.
I'm using this High Tech Garden Supply . . . other than some bearable TV interference from the ballasts, no real issues in 6 months, other than 2 warrantied bulbs dying way too quickly, with me out in the boonies!

I've read a # of good things about HTG and the other one listed above has some good prices.

I'd go 1k but I still have that worry about the electric bill. Ours was like $150 more when I ran the 400w HPS for 24/7 one billing cycle and my other half expressed interest... uh-oh. and with a 1k,... I don't know.

Thank you & REP.

 

[klmmicro]

I am in the same decision boat right now. I currently have a 250W MH with a 400W HPS in a Super Spectrum reflector. I have been running both lately to see if the multiple spectrum is worth the extra cost. So far so good, but the 250W bulb is under powered. I have thought about getting digital ballast in 400 or 600 watts. Swithcable so I can run either MH or HPS on it, and I still have 400 watts on the magnetic. For the little bit that I grow, I can stand the extra expense.

Thanks for the links to both the HTG and CAP ballasts BTW.

You could buy a 600W and run HPS for Flower (12/12). It would be a higher wattage, but for a shorter time. Keep the 400W for vegging with a MH conversion bulb. While it would be less efficient, you would only run it for about a month before moving things over to the flower half.

 

[nasd90]

yeah, I just want to have 1 grow light... and some CFL's for clones/veg stages... keep it slow there than blast them a bit. And honestly, I'm thinking of going SOIL in my next grow.

I think it has something to do with watching the Greenhouse seeds guys tone of voice change when they emphasized the benefits in the overall flavor of any strain.

So, I'm wondering... if I'm going to try and achieve the accelerated growth of the bubbler throughout the soil grow.... maybe I need to go for the 1,000watter ?!


Peace & thank you for all responses. And if anyone has any other makes & manufacturers that you recommend, please do post.

 

[klmmicro]

I grow soil because it is very forgiving. Flavor has always been good, though I have always grown stealth outdoors. I am into my first foray of indoor...have to say so far that it is a great success. What is your intended garden size? My thought is a solid 4 plants could be an easy thing for a 400 watt if you took the time to position them daily. 600 watt will give you better penetration into the canopy and a larger sq. ft. of available coverage. Digital seems like the way to go also, as they are more efficient by a wide margin...at least on paper.

Oh, and as an addition, I was looking at this line: http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=45667 There are 600 and 1000 watters as well and the price seems reasonable.

 

[MrFishy]

I dunno what's up w/some of these power bills. When we added our 2 600's w/digi ballasts, overnight space heating and fans, it barely brought the entire 3-BR house bill up to 100 dollars. I was quite surprised. The "normal" bill was 60-80 a month, so it seems it's only costing us 25-45 bux a month to run the two set-ups.

 

[southern homegrower]

I dunno what's up w/some of these power bills. When we added our 2 600's w/digi ballasts, overnight space heating and fans, it barely brought the entire 3-BR house bill up to 100 dollars. I was quite surprised. The "normal" bill was 60-80 a month, so it seems it's only costing us 25-45 bux a month to run the two set-ups.

what do u pay per kwh. mine is almost 0.12 cents a kwh

 

[nasd90]

I'll have to check on that too, great point.

I went to a hydro class down at our only hydro store in town. Pretty basic, but the vendor who stocks everything was there and he pretty much sold me on a 1k by Lumatek. 600's he said are going to be more on parts just because of the rarity.

I'm wondering if a 7x7x7 room would be ok for a 1,000 w HPS ?

 

[southern homegrower]

I'll have to check on that too, great point.

I went to a hydro class down at our only hydro store in town. Pretty basic, but the vendor who stocks everything was there and he pretty much sold me on a 1k by Lumatek. 600's he said are going to be more on parts just because of the rarity.

I'm wondering if a 7x7x7 room would be ok for a 1,000 w HPS ?

im told a 1000w covers a 4 ft by 8 ft pretty well

 

[la9]

Lumantek is supposed to be the best but I've heard some people having trouble with their stuff lately. Personally I use HIDHUT electronic ballast kits and haven't had any problems, I'll stick with them till something changes. I must not be the only one that likes them because they have had trouble keeping things in stock lately.

 

[Brick Top]

im told a 1000w covers a 4 ft by 8 ft pretty well

Grow Light Area Coverage

Your growing area determines what wattage system you should purchase. Determine what size garden you want before you purchase a system. Growing areas can also be expanded by adding additional lights and by using a light mover.

• Primary light (no natural light) coverages for the different grow light wattages are as follows.
  • 100 watt lights: 1.5FT x 1.5FT growing area
  • 150/175 watt lights: 2FT x 2FT growing area
  • 250 watt lights: 3FT x 3FT growing area
  • 400 watt lights: 5FT x 5FT growing area
  • 600 watt lights: 6FT x 6FT growing area
  • 1000 watt lights: 8FT x 8FT growing area

 

[southern homegrower]

Grow Light Area Coverage

Your growing area determines what wattage system you should purchase. Determine what size garden you want before you purchase a system. Growing areas can also be expanded by adding additional lights and by using a light mover.

• Primary light (no natural light) coverages for the different grow light wattages are as follows.
  • 100 watt lights: 1.5FT x 1.5FT growing area
  • 150/175 watt lights: 2FT x 2FT growing area
  • 250 watt lights: 3FT x 3FT growing area
  • 400 watt lights: 5FT x 5FT growing area
  • 600 watt lights: 6FT x 6FT growing area
  • 1000 watt lights: 8FT x 8FT growing area

thanks for the info every one u talk to says something different. i have a 1000 w my room is 4 1/2 ft by 7 1/2 by 7 ft tall. i think i am going to wish i got 2 600 w insted

 

[la9]

thanks for the info every one u talk to says something different. i have a 1000 w my room is 4 1/2 ft by 7 1/2 by 7 ft tall. i think i am going to wish i got 2 600 w insted

You are going to get pretty much optimal lighting either way so when you see the results I don't think you'll be worried about wishing one way or the other.