Ballast Question

Dankestsmell

Well-Known Member
Okay So i had picked all this stuff up today from the Swap Meet. Im Looking for some ballast and HPS Advice pretty lost lol. So the Ballast says its 1000 watts. There is a Black Door i can pull out and flip over on the Ballast i can switch from 120 volts 60hz - Or 240 volts 60hs. I have a 600 watt hps light bulb once i plug it in, Fires right up. Pretty confused though. Just trying to learn. my main grow is with a quantum board. Soo all this Ballast stuff is confusing to me right now. i do not know if its safe to use a 600 watt bulb with the 1000 watt ballast
 

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HydroRed

Well-Known Member
1000W ballast needs a 1000W bulb. The ballast you have is a "switchable" meaning it will power a HPS bulb (high pressure sodium when switched to the right) and a MH bulb (metal Halide when switched to the left). hPS bulbs are more orange and are often used for Flowering stage. MH are more blue and are used mainly for vegging. The sun system 6" air cooled hood will accept both 1000W (and other popular wattages) in MH and HPS bulbs.
If you already have a 1000W ballast why not just get a 1000W bulb to use unless you are concerned about the extra heat? You can find a new one for around $22 USD. Lot cheaper than a 600W ballast to go with your 600W bulb.
 

Dankestsmell

Well-Known Member
1000W ballast needs a 1000W bulb. The ballast you have is a "switchable" meaning it will power a HPS bulb (high pressure sodium when switched to the right) and a MH bulb (metal Halide when switched to the left). hPS bulbs are more orange and are often used for Flowering stage. MH are more blue and are used mainly for vegging. The sun system 6" air cooled hood will accept both 1000W (and other popular wattages) in MH and HPS bulbs.
If you already have a 1000W ballast why not just get a 1000W bulb to use unless you are concerned about the extra heat? You can find a new one for around $22 USD. Lot cheaper than a 600W ballast to go with your 600W bulb.
Ok awesome, So i can use either MH HPS Bulbs in the sun system 6" 1000 watt ballast. and as for the 600 watt bulb im not gonna even use it Obviously haha
 

HydroRed

Well-Known Member
And just to clarify, you can use the hoods on different wattage ballasts (granted they have the same plug orientation). So if you decide to use a 400W ballast, you can still use that hood on the new 400W ballast with a 400W MH or HPS bulb.
 

Dankestsmell

Well-Known Member
Im Trying to figure out if The other hood is also 1000 watts. I know one of them is. the sun system 6" is 1000 watts not sure about the other one. Also where can i buy the new socket and cord for 16 dollars?
 

HydroRed

Well-Known Member
Im Trying to figure out if The other hood is also 1000 watts. I know one of them is. the sun system 6" is 1000 watts not sure about the other one. Also where can i buy the new socket and cord for 16 dollars?
I had one bookmarked for $16, but seem to have lost it? Heres one I found for a few extra dollars without looking too hard.
https://www.htgsupply.com/products/high-yield-lighting-socket-set-with-15-foot-cord
As for this hood, cannot seem to find any model number on it. Or on the Internet
Look on the base of the socket it should be marked somewhere the max watts & voltages. Possibly on the inside of the socket where the threads are, but Im sure its marked.
 
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