Lumatek, HPS, MH, Help

I have a 400w Lumatek dig. ballast. My question is, can I use a regular MH bulb since it switches to MH automatically? Or do I HAAAAAAVE to pay all that extra $$ for a conversion bulb?

I'm asking because I'm going to change to 600w HPS for flower, and I wanted to use my 400w Lumatek for veg, because it's only like 4 months old.

Thank you ahead of time for any help you provide me! PEACE.

is the ballast made to take either MH or HPS?
if so then there is a switch or its auto.
if not then yes you need a conv. bulb.

the idea behind a digital ballast is to switch it on MH for veg and then HPS for flowering!!!!!!! a conversion bulb is to convert a non digital/switchable ballast to the oposite

JonKollar said:

the idea behind a digital ballast is to switch it on MH for veg and then HPS for flowering!!!!!!! a conversion bulb is to convert a non digital/switchable ballast to the oposite

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not all digitals can accept both mh and hps.

Well the 400w Lumatek Digital says that it's switchable. It has a white button on it. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to click that to switch it to MH, or if it does it automatically.
So I can use a regular MH bulb then, correct?

jnuggs said:

Well the 400w Lumatek Digital says that it's switchable. It has a white button on it. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to click that to switch it to MH, or if it does it automatically.
So I can use a regular MH bulb then, correct?

Click to expand...

that switch isnt labeled? if its a switch for type of bulb then yes you can use a reg. MH bulb. you just turn off the power, flip the switch, change the bulb, then turn it on.

jnuggs said:

Well the 400w Lumatek Digital says that it's switchable. It has a white button on it. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to click that to switch it to MH, or if it does it automatically.
So I can use a regular MH bulb then, correct?

Click to expand...

whats the manufactures # for that ballast. i would like to look it up and see the specs on it before you put the wrong bulb in there.

I have the same lumatek and from what i understand it is auto switchable....check the website with model # to be sure since i haven't tried it yet, but the white button is a reset button so i assume it is auto switching. I think there is just one lumatek model that is 600W hps only.

cee said:

I have the same lumatek and from what i understand it is auto switchable....check the website with model # to be sure since i haven't tried it yet, but the white button is a reset button so i assume it is auto switching. I think there is just one lumatek model that is 600W hps only.

Click to expand...

i think he has the 400 watt model that he wants to use it as MH to veg. he is going to buy a 600 watt hps for flower.

you know if you got the extra cash you could buy a 600 watt switchable.use a 400 MH for veg, then a 600 HPS for flower. and save the 400 watt ballast as a spare or sell it. ive got spare ballast for both MH and HPS. i only have mag. ballasts, but keep them stored properly and they wont go bad.

Call Lumatek... They are very helpful. If you have the current model... just screw in your MH bulb and you should be all set.

After reading, I believe it's an auto-switching ballast.

smoke-n-coke --I do have the 400 model. My new flowering cab will start with a 600w, and the 400 will go to veg cab.
Here in a month or so I should be starting a journal. I will have a clone, veg, and flower DIY cabinets/dressers/armoires, whatever you want to call it, as follows.

Cloning: Three, 1 bulb T5 HO(strip lights), with Seven 7"(tall model) humidi domes
Veg: One 400w MH middle light, with Two 2' 2 bulb T5 HO compact fluoro(10k lumens EACH!) on each side of the MH light (so Four 2' 2 bulbs total) I'm doing this so I don't have to run more fans(more noise) and using the 400 only because I have it!
Flower: Two 600w HPS = 190,000 Lumens, each covering 3'x3'

Anyways, thank you very much for your replies. I almost forgot, The model # it shows on my ballast is #LK4120

that sounds like a good plan. im going to start a veg clone cabinet, going small for now using cfl,s.
ive also 2- 400 MH for veg in larger room but only use 1 and the other is a spare.
ive 4- 400w hps for flower. only use 1 early on then go to 2 if needed. and then have 2 for spares. the price was right for these low bay lights. $40.00 each with shipping included. brand new.

That's a good deal on some 400w's! My main hang up is on deciding between 600 and 1000, and exactly how hot they run. The 1000's would pack on the bud, but the 600's would be a bit cheaper to run(electricity isn't too bad around here, like 4 or 4.5c kwh). This is an OP for only me and a few family members, so I'm not sure if maybe the 1000 would just be overkill. I just want to be sure we've got enough smoke to last between harvests!

i think for a couple of 3x3 tables the 2- 600 w would be good. but if you ever want to expand the area you may want 1000's.

That's part of my thoughts. Eventually I'd like to switch to vert, and have a complete separate male chamber, and a separate breeding chamber.(though that's a ways away)