Does anybody know of a low amperage light system or a way of fitting the most ballasts into 10A? I can't do regular 600s because they are 5.5-6A each, and I don't want to run (2) 400's. I am running a single 1000 right now and the line is running at capacity now. I can run 10.5A tops! Thanks!
More Lights same Amps or less?
You have a few options that i can think of at the moment.
1 Digital Ballast
If you happen to have the old fashion cap & coil (big, heavy, hot, usually white) ballast. Look into upgrading them to some new digital ballast. The Quantum Hort digital ballast is one of a few new digital designs that can run both High Pressure Sodium (HPS) and Metal Halide (MH) bulbs. It runs both 120v and 240v currents and they give both plugs. Finally it also features a dim option for younger plants and a built in fan which cools the ballast (just like in your laptop). My Quantum 600w runs cooler than my 400w Lumatek ballast. It also runs at 5.4a so you could technically put up two 600w ballast (veg and flower in the same room with 2 sets of HPS & MH bulbs) and it's close but you might have have a few amps left over for a fan and filter. You could even think about going with 3 x 400w lights and have amps to spare for a fan and filter. I'd recommend topping your plants to keep them short or growing mostly Indica (or indica heavy) strains if you go with that last option.
Take a look !!
Quantum Hort (
http://www.quantumhort.com/quantum-600-watt-dimmable.html)
2 LEDs
LEDs are still up for debate, im about to conduct my own personal experiment and start a thread about LEDs vs HPS (with an emphasis on the light spectrum). There is an advantage but on a hobby level it boils down to less heat, less energy, more capital.
Straight UP !! They are super expensive if plan on doing it Right! No Joke. Those little 90w UFOs on ebay will
Veg 3-4 plants but wont really flower them. The light doesn't penetrate enough according to this guy if you pick up the cheap stuff. You hear him mention the 3w bulbs (diodes), Im saving for the good lights
Angry Man
(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AitzoImckSY)
BUT
i found this super expensive light on ebay running 700w (1w bulbs) and in the technical specs they say it runs 4.8a so you technically run 3 of those and not need as much cooling. Each 700w LED system would be equal to a 1000w HPS...
(
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200383006388#ht_4927wt_830)
I did find 1 company that runs a really good quality LEDs Light with the 3w bulbs. A little expensive when you go real big (not as much as the ebay guy) but they have the best return policy & warranty i've seen in the USA. Plus the LEDs are made here in the USA so not that im the biggest patriot but we need the $$$
Let me know what you think. I'm experiencing similar problems and this is what i've come up with so far. Unless your willing to have an electrician wire you 240v into your room i believe the best solution will be a couple digital ballast.
Peace Out
DVS x Genetix