400w dimable lumatek

brandon112233

brandon112233

Well-Known Member
i have a 400w dimmable ballast that has settings for 250w 250 super lumens 400w or 400 super lumens I only have 4.3 square feet to work with I was wondering if it was bad to run the 400 w bulb at 250 super lumens and if so how many lumens extra am I actually getting
 
ProdigalSun

ProdigalSun

Well-Known Member
I'm thinking that running anything over ots capacity is going to cost you in the end.

I loled @ my 1,000 watt Super Lumens switch, no way I'm doing that to my bulbs and ballasts.

I have heard people complaining about Lumiteks going bad, I think I have a good idea why that is.
 
ProdigalSun

ProdigalSun

Well-Known Member
I think the ballast can handle it, but I'm not sure it's really good for the bulb. Running a ballast over max can't be good for it.
 
cc2012

cc2012

Well-Known Member
brandon112233 said:
i have a 400w dimmable ballast that has settings for 250w 250 super lumens 400w or 400 super lumens I only have 4.3 square feet to work with I was wondering if it was bad to run the 400 w bulb at 250 super lumens and if so how many lumens extra am I actually getting
Click to expand...
Do you mean Run a 400w at 250w - 150w less power than it needs?

Peace
 
brandon112233

brandon112233

Well-Known Member
yes that's what I mean but at the 250 super lumen setting after reading on lumateks site they said it adds another ten percent lumen output im pretty sure ill be ok as its still not running at 400 watts
 
cc2012

cc2012

Well-Known Member
Gonna take a Stab in the Dark here...are you worried about running the 400w(as a 400w) bulb in your Grow Space because of limited size? Question - is your Grow about 4' x 4' x ?4'(or is the height not inc in calculation?) The reason I ask is Running a 400w Bulb at 250/250 Super Lumen won't or prob won't give you Extra Lumens..least not with a 400w bulb..if you ran the 400w bulb in 400w Super Lumen mode then I think you would maybe get an Extra 10-15% Lumens boost, but the Bulb would wear out quicker I think...

I could be wrong?

I run a 250w setup in a 4' x 4' x 8' space and my Temps never go over 24-25 *And in the NewYear I will be upgrading to 600w in same space :eyesmoke:

Peace

Hope my waffling makes some sense.....stoned!!
 
AlecTheGardener

AlecTheGardener

Well-Known Member
cc2012 said:
Do you mean Run a 400w at 250w - 150w less power than it needs?

Peace
Click to expand...
Lumatek also recommends running the proper bulb at the proper setting:
only use 250SL setting with the 250 bulb, 400SL with the 400w bulb.

What purpose would running a 400w bulb on 250SL accomplish anyways? Just click over to 400w and watch your ladies grow.
 
AlecTheGardener

AlecTheGardener

Well-Known Member
To readdress this, sorry for the double post;

Why set your 400w bulb at 250SL? Heat issues? I do not understand why you would shortchange yourself the light when you LITERALLY only need to throw a switch over twice more. The Lumatek are engineered to actually decrease input and out put, the ballast will never cause problems for you in the regard. Your bulbs will suffer when you use the APPROPRIATE super lumen setting.
 
AlecTheGardener

AlecTheGardener

Well-Known Member
In that case dimming down to the 250 instead of the 250SL setting would be recommended. If you want to go grab a 250w and then rock your SL setting. Dimming or using the super lumen setting will ALWAYS hurt your bulb a little.
 
Ibex

Ibex

Active Member
ProdigalSun said:
I'm thinking that running anything over ots capacity is going to cost you in the end.

I loled @ my 1,000 watt Super Lumens switch, no way I'm doing that to my bulbs and ballasts.

I have heard people complaining about Lumiteks going bad, I think I have a good idea why that is.
Click to expand...
Mine work fine and I have them on overdrive constantly. The warehouse I worked in used multiple lumateks all on overdrive with no failures while I was employed.

I also use Ushio and Eye bulbs that are replaced way before they burn out and cease to fire.
 
cc2012

cc2012

Well-Known Member
brandon112233 said:
yes heat issues my area is only 2x2.3x4h
Click to expand...
Aye up brandon112233, is this Space a Cupboard? what does it lead to(Outside wall,Loft above?) reason I ask is what kinda Input/Exhaust system you running if any? even if its just passive you still might not have a Problem with Temps..

Do you Cool the Bulb at all? And I take it you Monitor Temps with something??

Post a Pic m8, maybe Peeps can come up with some Ideas...so you can run your 400w @ 400w and not Worry or Spend more money on Lower watt bulbs etc...

Think of the Lumens man.....

Peace
 
brandon112233

brandon112233

Well-Known Member
im using an old sort of closet in my dugout basement its about 2x2.3x6 but i made the bottom 2 feet a veg chamber which has a computer fan as intake and a passive exhaust flat white walls . flowering chamber has a floor fan pushing fresh air in a small desk fan pointed at the bulb and a computer fan as an exhaust at the top mylar walls scrog grow was the only way to even fit anything light is only 6 in from canopy 3 weeks into flowering cheap thermometer for temp which is 70 day and 60 at lights off
 
cc2012

cc2012

Well-Known Member
brandon112233 said:
im using an old sort of closet in my dugout basement its about 2x2.3x6 but i made the bottom 2 feet a veg chamber which has a computer fan as intake and a passive exhaust flat white walls . flowering chamber has a floor fan pushing fresh air in a small desk fan pointed at the bulb and a computer fan as an exhaust at the top mylar walls scrog grow was the only way to even fit anything light is only 6 in from canopy 3 weeks into flowering cheap thermometer for temp which is 70 day and 60 at lights off
Click to expand...
Easy m8, you seem to be doing the right things..from the Pic I'm building in my mind of the setup you've described..IMO(I could be wrong) the computer fan may be the weak link in your setup..how more Air is it shifting? what size of PC fan is it?

Wish I had a Basement!!

Peace
 
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