Dimmable ballast and bulb question?

CptNemo

CptNemo

Well-Known Member
So I have a dimmable ballast. It is set up at 1000W with matching MH & HPS bulbs. I'm thinking I'm overkilling my 2x4 space and want to try a run at 600w and 400w. Do I need to get matching bulbs or will my 1000w bulbs still work? Also the ballast has a selection on the dial for 200, 400, 600, 1000 & Super Lumen. What is Super Lumen?
 
roseypeach

roseypeach

Well-Known Member
are your bulbs relatively new? If so, I wouldn't advise using Super Lumens as it will shorten the life of the bulbs. 200w would be a safe bet, anything higher and you'll end up with heat issues.
 
Bareback

Bareback

Well-Known Member
I ain't no expert, but I had this same style set up. And I thought if I dimmed the ballast and matched the bulbs I was good. But after 125$ of blown bulbs , it was brought to my misinformed attention, that ain't how it works. According to someone else use the matching wattage and just dim it and you'll get the reduced wattage . I hope someone else will confirm this or explain way it's in correct.
Hth
 
roseypeach

roseypeach

Well-Known Member
Super lumens overdrives the bulbs 10 to 15%, good for pushing extra lumens out of an existing bulb but shortens the life of the bulbs as well. That said, if I were you I'd go with 200w, that way you'll get the results you want without worrying over heat issues, bulb life, etc. since dimming affects bulb life as well.
 
CptNemo

CptNemo

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the input guys. My question is can my 1000w bulbs go down to 600w or 400w ok? Or do I have to get matching 600w & 400w bulbs? Don't have any issues with my light just want to see the difference in yield at lower wattage. Its all in my garage. I grow Autos in the winter. I run 24/0 just for the heat. If I had a dark period my girls would freeze.
 
roseypeach

roseypeach

Well-Known Member
CptNemo said:
Thanks for the input guys. My question is can my 1000w bulbs go down to 600w or 400w ok? Or do I have to get matching 600w & 400w bulbs? Don't have any issues with my light just want to see the difference in yield at lower wattage. Its all in my garage. I grow Autos in the winter. I run 24/0 just for the heat. If I had a dark period my girls would freeze.
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Short answer, yes :)

You certainly can dim them, and many do. I just wanted to be sure you understand it will affect the life of your bulbs, which is why I said if they are new/like new, I wouldn't recommend doing that. Now if you aren't planning on upgrading your tent anytime soon, then the 1000w is overkill already so it wouldn't hurt. I wouldn't think you'd lose much in weight should you dial down to 400w.
 
Roger A. Shrubber

Roger A. Shrubber

Well-Known Member
it all depends on your ventilation , if you can get rid of the heat, go with the 600 setting, you will get better results. your area is 8 sq feet, 400 would give you 50 watts per sq ft, which is good, 600 would give you 75 watts per sq ft, which is slight overkill, but not enough to hurt if you have good ventilation.
 
CptNemo

CptNemo

Well-Known Member
roseypeach said:
Short answer, yes :)

You certainly can dim them, and many do. I just wanted to be sure you understand it will affect the life of your bulbs, which is why I said if they are new/like new, I wouldn't recommend doing that. Now if you aren't planning on upgrading your tent anytime soon, then the 1000w is overkill already so it wouldn't hurt. I wouldn't think you'd lose much in weight should you dial down to 400w.
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Cool. Thanks. Really its a cost issue. If I can get the same yield at 600w. It will save on the electric bill.
 
ganjafather27

ganjafather27

Well-Known Member
What exact ballast do you have? Some newer, more pricey digital/dimmables also accept different wattage bulbs while other only dim one wattage of bulb.

If your ballast only dims, you can always dim your 1000w bulb, however from what ive been told, the dimming functions eat your bulb up quicker than normal. If you are using an expensive bulb like a hortilux, you may not want to go that route. If youre using a cheap bulb, fuck it, right? Super lumens is what it sounds like, it gives a slight boost in power to your bulb but this function also will ruin your bulb quicker.
 
roseypeach

roseypeach

Well-Known Member
CptNemo said:
Cool. Thanks. Really its a cost issue. If I can get the same yield at 600w. It will save on the electric bill.
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You're welcome! I don't know that it will save you very much on the bill but it will help with any heat issues for sure ;)
 
CptNemo

CptNemo

Well-Known Member
I got a cheap set up. Heat is not a issue for me. But if dropping the wattage wont save on the electric bill I will just keep running it at 1000w.
 
roseypeach

roseypeach

Well-Known Member
CptNemo said:
I got a cheap set up. Heat is not a issue for me. But if dropping the wattage wont save on the electric bill I will just keep running it at 1000w.
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Do you know if the bulb you are using is compatible with dimming? You have to make sure it is first, then I'd try it and see, it may save you enough to be worth it. I run two magnetic 1k hps and it averages me around 80 bucks a month running both, so for 1 digital (I'm assuming yours is, yes?) reduced down to 600w, it wouldn't think it would run you more than around 30 bucks a month.
 
Gaz29

Gaz29

Well-Known Member
Should say if dimnable on your ballast or its instructions in box(if u have it).. I dim down my bulbs often.! Good luck
 
CptNemo

CptNemo

Well-Known Member
The balast is a Nebula 4.0 Everytime I take a pic RIU wont let me upload it. Here are the other pics. Heat is NOT an issue. I want the heat when I grow in the winter. My setup is in an unheated garage. I just want to save a few bucks on my electric bill if it wont hurt my yield.
20161024_155807.jpg 20161023_190406.jpg
 
Olive Drab Green

Olive Drab Green

Well-Known Member
CptNemo said:
So I have a dimmable ballast. It is set up at 1000W with matching MH & HPS bulbs. I'm thinking I'm overkilling my 2x4 space and want to try a run at 600w and 400w. Do I need to get matching bulbs or will my 1000w bulbs still work? Also the ballast has a selection on the dial for 200, 400, 600, 1000 & Super Lumen. What is Super Lumen?
Click to expand...
You really don't need 1kW in a 2x4. That sounds like plenty overkill. I do a 2x4 closet with 178w of COB.
 
Olive Drab Green

Olive Drab Green

Well-Known Member
Just make sure the bulb is dimmable. If your 1000w bulb is dimmable, you should be able to use it. If not, get one that does. I'm Captain Obvious, and you're the one growing for 6 years that doesn't know the answer to a simple fucking question.
 
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