Is a ballast obligatory when getting an HPS bulb?

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GrowingMadness

Active Member

• May 5, 2009

• #1

So I've been wondering, the HPS bulb usually has a standard scroll-in thing.

Can I just plug it into my normal light socket and make it work without a ballast?

 

smppro

Well-Known Member

• May 5, 2009

• #2

Absolutely NOT! It comes with a ballast because it is needed to fire the bulb.

 

G

GrowingMadness

Active Member

• May 5, 2009

• #3

smppro said:

Absolutely NOT! It comes with a ballast because it is needed to fire the bulb.

Click to expand...

Huh, so if I plug it in it just won't work ?

 

Knally

Well-Known Member

• May 5, 2009

• #4

If your light's cordset can be plugged directly into an electrical outlet, then it has a built-in ballast. If your light's the cordset can't be plugged directly into an electical outlet, then you need a compatible remote ballast. Either way you need to have a ballast, built-in or remote to fire the hps bulb.

 

G

GrowingMadness

Active Member

• May 5, 2009

• #5

Knally said:

If your light's cordset can be plugged directly into an electrical outlet, then it has a built-in ballast. If your light's the cordset can't be plugged directly into an electical outlet, then you need a compatible remote ballast. Either way you need to have a ballast, built-in or remote to fire the hps bulb.

Click to expand...

I'm just looking at the pictures and what I see is a standard scroll-in socket.

And I just can't imagine any reason why it won't work if I scroll it in.

 

mame

Well-Known Member

• May 5, 2009

• #6

You cannot run HPS or MH lightbulbs without a Ballast.

The same is true for Florescents. The white part at the base of a CFL is its ballast, HID ballasts are quite a bit bigger though, and much more expensive.

In short, you are wasting your time if you think you can just screw a HPS into a socket and plug it in... It wont work.

 

D

disposition84

Well-Known Member

• May 5, 2009

• #7

Just because it fits does not mean it works, and when it comes to electricity you shouldn't fuck around.

Just spend the money you need to get the proper equiptment, or try a cheaper solution like CFLs.

 

G

GrowingMadness

Active Member

• May 5, 2009

• #8

Got it.

I already have a shtload of CFLs for my sprout stage room. Now I just need a cheap ballast I guess..

 

mame

Well-Known Member

• May 5, 2009

• #9

I got a 400w MH/HPS electronic Ballast for ~$190, cord with socket for ~20, and a reflector for 25. Add in nutrients, Ph meter, and pest control products and grab a couple bulbs from work and the entire setup cost less than 300 dollars. That is by no means expensive. Just shop around, all i did was show up at the closest grow shop.