Can I run MH conversion bulbs or are regular fine?

TheRedBaron

Member
I was originally wanting to get a Lumatek digital ballast, but a store had an awesome deal on 600W Hydrofarms Powerhouse 600W Magnetic Ballasts. I thought that this model was a HPS and MH ballast which could run both. The box says it does not and that is a different, more expensive 1000W ballast. I took them back to the store to return them. The guy said that I CAN run a Metal Halide on this if it is a "conversion bulb". I looked on this forum, since I'd never heard of them before. Here's what someone had to say:

Don't get suckered by a conversion bulb kit....HPS system WILL run MH bulbs but a MH system WILL NOT run HPS bulbs.

Can I safely run a regular MH bulb on my ballasts? Or do I, in fact, need a conversion bulb? My ballast is linked HERE
 

TheRedBaron

Member
I could now answer this myself. Hydofarm, the manufacturer of my ballasts responded to my enquiry. Their specs are such that this ballast WILL run a standard MH bulb just fine. However, it will significantly decrease it's life. Using a conversion MH bulb is therefore the recommendation. They're more expensive than standard MH bulbs, but they will not have a shortened lifespan.
 
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