Dimmable MH/HPS Ballasts what wattage bulbs can they run?

Hey guys,

I've been outta the game for a long time and so much has changed...so its like I'm a newbie again...its pretty exciting.
Anyway I was just hoping someone could let me know if the dimmable ballasts run both HPS and MH bulbs at all the wattages?

Or would a 1000/600/400W ballast run the HPS at all wattages but only the MH at 600/400?

I was thinking of either a Solis Tek or Lumatek so any infor would be much appreciated.

Thanks for any help

I'm only speaking for LUMATEKS here.

If you get the select a watt versions then use the corresponding bulb for the switch position.

LUMATEKS will fire both MH and HPS as long as the wattages match.

Lumatek recommend running the correct wattage for the dimming feature in use.

If you dim a 1000w down to 600w you decrease lamp life and change spectral PAR output.



J

jondamon said:

I'm only speaking for LUMATEKS here.

If you get the select a watt versions then use the corresponding bulb for the switch position.

LUMATEKS will fire both MH and HPS as long as the wattages match.

Lumatek recommend running the correct wattage for the dimming feature in use.

If you dim a 1000w down to 600w you decrease lamp life and change spectral PAR output.



J

Click to expand...

Actually it is a little different then you described:http://sunlightsupply.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/product/902562_Instructions.pdf

You can dim a lamp, do not run a lamp at higher wattages then it is rated for.

Example: you can run a 1000w lamp at 600w.

You cannot run a 400w lamp at 600w.

This does damage the lamp however, but the ballast will remain safe as ever, this is the recommended usage. The idea is that dimming allows growers to decrease heat during hot times of the year or equipment failure.

kronyk said:

Hey guys,

I've been outta the game for a long time and so much has changed...so its like I'm a newbie again...its pretty exciting.
Anyway I was just hoping someone could let me know if the dimmable ballasts run both HPS and MH bulbs at all the wattages?

Or would a 1000/600/400W ballast run the HPS at all wattages but only the MH at 600/400?

I was thinking of either a Solis Tek or Lumatek so any infor would be much appreciated.

Thanks for any help

Click to expand...

DO NOT GET A DIMMABLE BALLAST they are not designed the way u think

if u want to interchange the bulbs with the same ballast u need a SELECT WATT


a dimmable ballast works on 100% 75% and 50% the only way it works correctly is on 100% the rest of them does damage to the bulbs
and if u have a 1000w ballast turn it to 75% that is 750w going tho a 600w bulb u are burning it out much fast and altering the light waves ....same thing with a 1000w bulb on 75% it is not at full power so the lightwaves they admit are off .......the bulbs are ment for one power setting to get your 20000 hours and the correct light waves


here is the best ballast i have found
http://www.solis-tek.com/digital-ballasts/matrix-1000-digital-ballast.html

select a watt.........built in timer........power checking /staggerd light up ..........just great if u look at the bulbs they offer too u will see the 1000w that have is 150k lumens as where the other ones are only 110k .............this even has a boost button that will increase the power by 10% for when your bulbs are passed the half life (it gets u back the lumens lost)


i own 2 apollo 600w dimable ballast before i learned of my mistake

Eye hortilux recommend you don't dim for example as too do lumatek.

But after a quick google here's a link to study done that says 50% dim sees relatively low spectral change.

http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/30/5/1086.full.pdf

Who fucking knows lol.



J

AlecTheGardener said:

Actually it is a little different then you described:http://sunlightsupply.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/product/902562_Instructions.pdf

You can dim a lamp, do not run a lamp at higher wattages then it is rated for.

Example: you can run a 1000w lamp at 600w.

You cannot run a 400w lamp at 600w.

This does damage the lamp however, but the ballast will remain safe as ever, this is the recommended usage. The idea is that dimming allows growers to decrease heat during hot times of the year or equipment failure.

Click to expand...

Select a watt or dimmable just be sure to match the bulb to the setting as closely as possible.. Most quality bulbs can be over or under driven by 100 watts with little ill effect.

jondamon said:

Eye hortilux recommend you don't dim for example as too do lumatek.

But after a quick google here's a link to study done that says 50% dim sees relatively low spectral change.

http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/30/5/1086.full.pdf

Who fucking knows lol.



J

Click to expand...

Kelly at Nutrilife Products has done tests with digital ballast and dimming down 1000W HPS bulbs and using a
spectrophotometer says there was very little change in spectrum when the ballasts were dimmed down. Its interesting as I thought the gas had to be certain temperature to produce certain wave lengths.

CannaReview said:

Kelly at Nutrilife Products has done tests with digital ballast and dimming down 1000W HPS bulbs and using a
spectrophotometer says there was very little change in spectrum when the ballasts were dimmed down. Its interesting as I thought the gas had to be certain temperature to produce certain wave lengths.

Click to expand...

The study I cited went as low as 20% before the bulb extinguished.

I think some lamps extinguished between 20-50% dim.



J

Hey guys, thanks so much for all the help, so many responses it's great

You've all been a great help. I think this may be the only forum I need.

I now thanks to you all have a decent understanding of this.