How shitty is running a 1000w ballast at 50%
- Thread starter ODanksta
- Start date
MrStickyScissors
Well-Known Member
I heard the ballast still draws the same amount of amps. so your paying for 1k but gettting 500?
ODanksta
Well-Known Member
Your on point with heat, but worried about a crappy spectrum.. But thank you for input
209 Cali closet grower
Well-Known Member
True. My bill was the same. Running 50%
ODanksta
Well-Known Member
I dunno about that, but heat is the issue not cash..
And while we are on the subject of amps. I just noticed my Co2 controller is 5amps, but there is no way in hell that a controller can use that much, so I am a little confused
SnaFuu
Well-Known Member
where did the other 50% power go then?
ODanksta
Well-Known Member
Lol, common sense... that would only make sense, right?
ODanksta
Well-Known Member
Ok maybe a co2 controller needs 5 amps to pass through it, to allow the burner to spark the propane, so maybe that makes perfect sense.. But it's not constantly running like a ballast would..
Aeroknow
Well-Known Member
Most likely, the co2 controller has a maximum output of 5amps. Probably has a 5amp fuse in it.
Solenoids hardly require any power.
Darth Vapour
Well-Known Member
One would think that bulb does not get to actual operating range temp there fore it would suck
GrowUrOwnDank
Well-Known Member
We are gonna need a ballast expert up in here. So, if the ballast is drawing 1000 watts. And only delivering 1/2, 500 watts to the lamp. Where did those other 500 watts go? Used up and heat is the biproduct?
SPLFreak808
Well-Known Member
If your ballast uses the same amount of current at 50% as it does at 100%, then theoretically the 50% setting would give off more heat then the 100% setting. So no it does not use the same amount of electricity at 50%. More then likely the startup of the bulb (start-up current spike) will draw the same amount of current regardless of what setting the dimmer is at but the ballast will always settle at the desired dimmer setting. 50% will be near 50% +/- less energy used, the +/- will depend on ballast efficiency while dimmed, running a 1000w bulb at 50% will also not run to its desired kelvin spectrum from being out of internal operating range
Darth Vapour
Well-Known Member
the ballast is clocked or flip flopped so the other power does not even go through the ballast like having a dimmer on your wall it may have the power on one end but as you turn dial it only allows so much to the trigger
whitebb2727
Well-Known Member
Can you not dim it to 40 or 60% and use a 400 or 600 watt bulb?
Darth Vapour
Well-Known Member
i think you got it back wards like saying if a car is idling at 2000 rpm and same car idling at 4000 rpm which engine would get hotter
GrowUrOwnDank
Well-Known Member
Dude. Ever hear of water cooling and a thermostat.
THAT FICKING RESPONSE DOESNT HAVE A DAMN THING TO DO WITH WATTS AND AMPS OR ELECTRICITY AT ALL!
STFUESAD
SPLFreak808
Well-Known Member
Except in his case, the car thats idling at 2000rpm used the same amount of gas as the car that was idling at 4000rpm? Where did thr extra fuel used go?
GrowUrOwnDank
Well-Known Member
Thanks White for bringing a little bit of common sense to the board.
I implore @ODanksta to try that. And while your at it. Hook up different wattage CFLs to the ballast and see what happens. Perhaps wear eye protection. And video it.