Reliable HPS and Metal Hylide equipment?

Tolerance Break

Tolerance Break

Well-Known Member
I'm refining my methods for winter grows. I dont want to do anymore LED + an oil radiator if I dont need to.

I'm wondering who's making quality ballasts and hoods these days? I have some old hardware in my garage, but it hasn't been touched in 5 years, and Id like to have backup bulbs and ballasts for contingency. Plus, I have no clue how to troubleshoot as I've never ran a non LED grow. Just worked in one.
 
I just bought a Hortilux 1000w HPS Bulb, Ballast, and Reflector, off of Amazon a bit over 2 months ago, and they worked flawlessly.

I wanted one of those huge Hydrofarm 8in XXL Raptor reflectors, but they dont make them anymore. I found a used one, but they wouldnt send to Kentucky.

I vegged under a 1000w MassMedicalStrins 1000w 6000k Halide. Flowering under 1000w Hortilux HPS.
That Ballast will run HPS/Halide, and is dimmable.
Not recommended to dim Halide.


 
Last edited:
jimihendrix1 said:
I just bought a Hortilux 1000w HPS Bulb, Ballast, and Reflector, off of Amazon a bit over 2 months ago, and they worked flawlessly.

I wanted one of those huge Hydrofarm 8in XXL Raptor reflectors, but they dont make them anymore. I found a used one, but they wouldnt send to Kentucky.

I vegged under a 1000w MassMedicalStrins 1000w 6000k Halide. Flowering under 1000w Hortilux HPS.
That Ballast will run HPS/Halide, and is dimmable.
Not recommended to dim Halide.


Click to expand...
Hell yeah, you're the man!
 
I wish I lived where electricity was cheap enough to run MH and HPS lights. I definitely prefer them over LED but I just don't want to go back to a $1500 electric bill per month again.
 
I’ve got 2 old HID setups that still work fine. If you were close to the 513 area, I’d say to come pick em up for a “handshake and a hello”. The one is a 600 watt digital Lumateck ballast that’s over 15 years old and still kickin.

Reflectors aren’t complicated, but make sure you’ve got solid components in the socket/cord set. I bought a cheap umbrella type reflector, but swapped the socket out for one from Hydrofarm. That’s a lot of power and heat being generated, and you don’t want to risk a fire with crappy Chinese components. I used a laser thermometer to measure bulb temp on the 1000 watt, and after a couple minutes, the bulb was reading almost 600*F.

Also, be sure not to ever touch the bulbs with your bare hands. The grow store owner from 2 different shops told me that the oil from your hands can cause the bulb to explode when hot (not sure if this is true or not, but Ive always worn a glove to touch the bulbs).
 
green valley grows said:
MH and HPS gives me a $1500 electricity bill and LED gives me a $650 bill. Thats a huge difference.
Click to expand...
Well you'll know your bills no doubt.

But it was common (though not ideal) to light a 4x4 with 600w HPS and it's still common to light a 4x4 with 600w LED and the absolute bare minimum of 480w LED.

But then again we don't use AirCon as a general rule here, so I'd imagine if that's standard for you it's going to cost a bit.
 
Last edited:
MissinThe90’sStrains said:
I’ve got 2 old HID setups that still work fine. If you were close to the 513 area, I’d say to come pick em up for a “handshake and a hello”. The one is a 600 watt digital Lumateck ballast that’s over 15 years old and still kickin.

Reflectors aren’t complicated, but make sure you’ve got solid components in the socket/cord set. I bought a cheap umbrella type reflector, but swapped the socket out for one from Hydrofarm. That’s a lot of power and heat being generated, and you don’t want to risk a fire with crappy Chinese components. I used a laser thermometer to measure bulb temp on the 1000 watt, and after a couple minutes, the bulb was reading almost 600*F.

Also, be sure not to ever touch the bulbs with your bare hands. The grow store owner from 2 different shops told me that the oil from your hands can cause the bulb to explode when hot (not sure if this is true or not, but Ive always worn a glove to touch the bulbs).
Click to expand...
They can for sure explode if you get oil from your fingers ect, on the bulb. One should always use a clean towel, or glove ect, when handling the bulb.
They can also cause severe burns. Years/decades ago, a buddy was in his garden, bent over looking ect, and then went to stand up, and his upper back, went into the unshielded bulb, and fried his skin, through his T Shirt.. Bulb didnt explode though. It was a 1000w Halide. Back in the mid 80s.. And was hanging Vertically.
 
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