First time grower, electrical question.

Todd Gaines

Todd Gaines

New Member
I just got my "Apollo" 600 watt hps mh system. On the box, it says it must be installed by, or under the supervision of a certified electrician.

Is that practical? I don't really want to have someone coming in, having to install this, and knowing my business. The area I plan on plugging this into, can take a 5,000 btu air conditioner (which obviously would not be there). I have a surge protector there for this, but now I'm wondering if I should've just gone CFL.

Medical marijuana is legal in my state (I have my card), but I just don't want some random person knowing what's up. It's gonna be a closet grow, and I'm starting to think I should've went CFL.

Any help?
 
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BuzzD2Kill

Well-Known Member
plug it in!!!! youll be fine if your house is upto date, if anything youll trip a breaker. Now if your house is older, or your electrical panel has never been upgraded beware, although 1 600 watt shouldnt be an issue, GL and enjoy. Im thinking around 5 amps is what it pulls.
 
jijiandfarmgang

jijiandfarmgang

Well-Known Member
Blasphemy! Thou should not speak of HPS that way. CFL sucks. Smoke a joint and relax. Plug in to the wall. It will only draw 600 watts (well slightly more), nothing to be alarmed about.

- Jiji
 
steelheadguy

steelheadguy

Member
Screw the bulb into the hood, make sure not to get oily hands all over it. Not too tight, not loose.
Plug lamp cord into the ballast.
Make sure any switches on ballast are in correct place (120/240 mh/hps).
Plug ballast into outlet

It is best to have an on/off switch somewhere to avoid turning it on and off by just plugging it in. If need you can turn the breaker on/off.
Metal Halide wont re-ignite if it is hot. Give it time to cool down. MH or HPS, don't rapidly turn them off and then on.
 
Nutes and Nugs

Nutes and Nugs

Well-Known Member
^^^ good advice.
HPS or metal Halide start off dim and hum a bit but don't worry.
Give the bulb 5-10 min to come up to brightness.
 
m3d1c1n3man

m3d1c1n3man

Well-Known Member
your AC, TV, fridge, computer, microwave, etc. are pulling way over 600 watts. 600 watts isn't that much really. I have a small space heater that pulls 1500 watts and it's just plugged in like normal.
 
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covert222

Well-Known Member
A 20 amp breaker is rated for 2400 watts brother. 600 ain't shit. They just write that so if you burn your house down you don't sue them
 
CAPSLOCK

CAPSLOCK

Member
I am a certified electrician (not in US). If you know what you're doing - and the only tools you use are hand tools, you should be fine. I didn't really understand what's to be installed from your post. A normal wall socket should bear much more than 600 watts. The warning is just an insurance (in case you electrocute yourself or burn something). There aren't many things in growing that actually require an electrician. Especially when dealing with new, high quality equipment. Happy growing =)
 
Todd Gaines

Todd Gaines

New Member
Thanks for the replies. It's my first grow, so a lot of things are new to me, and I had/have some concerns about some things. My other concern was it being near a cable wire. Granted, the light would be in the closet, but the ballast would be outside of it, near my TV.
 
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covert222

Well-Known Member
I have that exact ballast except thousand watt and it was within 2 or 3 feet of my cable box and didn't cause any rfi so you should be fine but if it does send it back for a replacement. No bigs
 
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