Magnet and Coil + CMH or Digital + 2 bulb (MH and HPS) systems??? what should I do

I have been looking into building a Cabinet for a long time. I live on my own in a 700sqft apt so heat and electricity use are big concerns. I know that Coil ballasts are less efficient but how much more electricity due they use than a digital ballast? I also hear that CHM throw less heat than other bulbs. Please know that either way I plan on using a 400watt bulb. Any thought or suggestion?

If you go with a digital, you run quieter as well as save 20% or so on electricity bills. And you can switch between MH or HPS bulbs. I run a lumatek ballast and the watts can be dimmed down or go super lumens mode. Digital is better all around, a bit more costly but I havent looked at the old style since. There are a few real good companies if you want the tuneable stuff you have to buy name brand in most cases, the cheaper digital stuff is not always adjustable. It just give you more options as a grower.

I built a 150W HPS Cool Tube, and I'm gonna get a CMH bulb soon to see how much less heat they throw. I have good temp numbers to compare to. I'll know soon hopefully.They can't have a digital ballast, but you knew that. I don't think with one 400W ballast it's much of a difference either way. Those CMH look like the shit. I really want to try one. 1 bulb for the whole cycle sounds good to me.
Daniels

Thanks guys for you opinions. Danielsgb how long do you think until your done? Still thinking about it. the electricity is a big deal. how much does a 400watt coil ballast actually use vs how much a digital ballast use?

GooandPlenty said:

Thanks guys for you opinions. Danielsgb how long do you think until your done? Still thinking about it. the electricity is a big deal. how much does a 400watt coil ballast actually use vs how much a digital ballast use?

Click to expand...

Oh it's all done and 2 plants are flowering now. I just have to order it when I get an extra $30-50 It's my A Medicinal Refridgerator
If I fall in love I'll put 2 in my [FONT=&quot]https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/313042-well-here-goes.htm

As far as power [/FONT]Caregivin mentioned 20% but I haven't researched it as I have coil ballasts for all 4 of mine. I do alot of DIY stuff.
Daniels
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

Caregivin said:

If you go with a digital, you run quieter as well as save 20% or so on electricity bills.

Click to expand...

Woah there - not so fast! A typical magnetic ballast uses about 10% of the bulbs' rated wattage (so a "400 Watt System" uses about 440 watts). Of that 40 watts, actually used by the "standard" ballast, a "digital" ballast will operate using about 30% less - or 28 watts. The "Digital" ballast doesn't save anything from the bulb, it still uses 400 watts.

So that's a total of 428 watts for a digital system vs. 440 watts for a magnetic system. That ain't 20% - not even close! In my head, that's only about 3%.

Hey Danielsgb;

If I use a CMH bulb what wattage should I get? I'm using it in a micro grow (16";14";12" approx)

history101 said:

Hey Danielsgb;

If I use a CMH bulb what wattage should I get? I'm using it in a micro grow (16";14";12" approx)

Click to expand...

I'd say whatever HPS you think you could pull off. I have a 150W HPS. My construction thread had some links to info on them. This one if you can pull of 50W http://www.lightingsupply.com/MHC50-U-M-4K-ALTO.aspx
You don't want the UV Block. I haven't used it yet. That thread some guys want'em too.
Daniels

T.H.Cammo I like your logic.

Sorry for the double post but a new thought occurred to me, my cabinet is 6 square feet should i use a 250 or 400. I'm thinking a 250 could get closer to the plants and be easier to cool.

are you talking about 6 square feet of floor space or 6 cubic feet? because if its 6 cubic feet 150w is going to be as high as your going to want to go the 250 might be a little to much and your temps will run in the 90 unless you have a pretty high air exchange rate.

6 square feet floor space, 30cubic feet is the size of the cabinet.

one thing to keep in mind if you go digital is to make sure to buy something new.
The olders ones had issues with RF interfernce and some of the newer ones (cheapies)still might.
I know my chinese one seems to throw some out.
I'm only mentioning this due to you saying you live in an apt.
Where I've heard of people getting visits from the cable company due to the RF interference.
Just turn on a AM radio in the 500~ range and you will know if it's causing interference or not.

Cymbaline thanks for the heads up. I'm still not sure on what i am going to do but that is great info for everyone regardless.

yeah but you can't run a CMH in a digital ballast.

Digital. Less heat, quieter, less energy consumption, 120/240v switchable, and can use HPS/MH/ or even conversion bulbs. Many new digital ballast come with a dimming function, and can start up a few minutes after a power outage automatically. They also can have automatic shut off features in case a bulb cracks, blows up, or loses connection somehow.
C.A.P.'s nextgen ballast are awesome. So are Lumatek's.

Mag coils are still a good choice and they make a few really good ones with similar features. Digitals have become inexpensive though, and still produce less heat and noise.

So i decided. For the price and space its needed for I choose this
http://www.hidhut.com/catalog/250w-hpsmh-digital-ballast-bulb-and-glass-tube-reflector-combo-p-2297.html
No MJ will be grown until i am legal but its in the plans and I still need to practice keeping plants alive in general and build a hydro system.