Brand of HPS?

MyNamesNevin

MyNamesNevin

Member
Is there a specific brand of hps that is better than others or does that not really matter?
I want to grab 4 of them so just curious.
Also if anyone could recommend a HUD.
Thanks.
 
Big smo

Big smo

Well-Known Member
Gavita is probably the best and Amazon Ipower is probably the cheapest. I only know cause I used the ipower. Quality is cheap but it comes with everything including digital dimable ballast, 2 bulbs, hangers and timer for around 170$
 
MyNamesNevin

MyNamesNevin

Member
Big smo said:
Gavita is probably the best and Amazon Ipower is probably the cheapest. I only know cause I used the ipower. Quality is cheap but it comes with everything including digital dimable ballast, 2 bulbs, hangers and timer for around 170$
Click to expand...
Have you ever use Gavita?
 
Big smo

Big smo

Well-Known Member
No I haven't. I understand a lot of the lighting industry is advertising and also giving pro growers free everything for showing great results while using their products. But my understanding is gavita still does have a very solid light. I spent ass loads on my LEDs but I wasn't about to spend half an ass load on a better hps. The ipower worked well. Even though I accidentally unscrewed the bulb while it was connected and it shot sparks like a fourth firework. Amazon shipped out a replacement for free. Kept the ballast, bulb hangers and timer
 
Joe Blows Trees

Joe Blows Trees

Well-Known Member
I'm switching from an ipower to a hortilux bulb next run. Curious to see if they'll be a big difference. Still gonna use the same ipower ballast and fixture. Supposed to be a very good bulb.
 
WeedFreak78

WeedFreak78

Well-Known Member
Are you interested in ballasts or just bulbs? As far as bulbs go. Hortilux did better in almost every test/review i read, whether it was some dude at home comparing or an actual lab test. Some test even claimed as much as 20% yield increase just switching to a hortilux, though I'm highly skeptical of claims like that. I can say there is a visual difference between my hortilux and my no-name i keep as a backup, both in color and intensity. I'm sure there are others that work just as well. I haven't really researched it.
 
Big smo

Big smo

Well-Known Member
One thing I know for sure is the bulbs are very sensitive. I did bang the ipower a few times but I noticed some sort of metal or glass clinging around when I unscrewed the bulb. Another problem I had was the bulb started to sag. The housing was horizontal but the bulb wasn't after a week. That's when I unscrewed if and saw the Sparks. I think the solder started coming loose on the bulb itself
 
WeedFreak78

WeedFreak78

Well-Known Member
Big smo said:
One thing I know for sure is the bulbs are very sensitive. I did bang the ipower a few times but I noticed some sort of metal or glass clinging around when I unscrewed the bulb. Another problem I had was the bulb started to sag. The housing was horizontal but the bulb wasn't after a week. That's when I unscrewed if and saw the Sparks. I think the solder started coming loose on the bulb itself
Click to expand...
I've started putting a little dielectric grease on the threads of the base of the bulb before screwing it in, makes it sooooo much easier to take out. I had one that i think started to corrode in the socket ( due to high humidity in the room possibly??), it felt like fine sand in the threads and kept wanting to bind up when i unscrewed it. Now that doesn't happen. I just had the base separate from a regular incandescent bulb in a floor lamp and it was a PITA to get it out...oh and the potato trick doesn't work...
 
Big smo

Big smo

Well-Known Member
Dialectic grease!!! That's the answer. I swear I wonder why I didn't think of some of these things at times. It must be something about the material or construction. I notice the same think using cheap regular bulbs too. Dollar store LEDs do feel like sand paper when you screw them in
 
WeedFreak78

WeedFreak78

Well-Known Member
Big smo said:
Dialectic grease!!! That's the answer. I swear I wonder why I didn't think of some of these things at times. It must be something about the material or construction. I notice the same think using cheap regular bulbs too. Dollar store LEDs do feel like sand paper when you screw them in
Click to expand...
rkymtnman said:
times 2. makes removal so much easier. it always felt like i was about the break the bulb in my hand before i started using it
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I also check em for solder build up/splatter on the threads. Run some steel wool around the base to knock it off it its there. I've only seen it on 2 low quality bulbs, but one piece of it in your threads and it'll lock a bulb up solid.
 
MyNamesNevin

MyNamesNevin

Member
WeedFreak78 said:
Are you interested in ballasts or just bulbs? As far as bulbs go. Hortilux did better in almost every test/review i read, whether it was some dude at home comparing or an actual lab test. Some test even claimed as much as 20% yield increase just switching to a hortilux, though I'm highly skeptical of claims like that. I can say there is a visual difference between my hortilux and my no-name i keep as a backup, both in color and intensity. I'm sure there are others that work just as well. I haven't really researched it.
Click to expand...
I need both Ballast and Bulbs so im going to go with Hortilux.
Do you have a recommendation for a good ballast?
 
kiwipaulie

kiwipaulie

Well-Known Member
Just some good brands I know or have used.

Hortlux
Solarmax
Sunmaster
Philips

Currently running solarmax hps and Philips MH bulbs.

Would love to swap to philips 315w lec
 
Big smo

Big smo

Well-Known Member
kiwipaulie said:
Just some good brands I know or have used.

Hortlux
Solarmax
Sunmaster
Philips

Currently running solarmax hps and Philips MH bulbs.

Would love to swap to philips 315w lec
Click to expand...

Our local grow shop can't keep the lec's on the shelf. One guy just bought 6 in one shot
 
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