CMH Lighting Setup

I am new to CMH lighting so forgive the noob post, but after some research and google searching, I am still a little lost Is someone able to clarify the exact setup needed if I need to order parts in seperately? Kits seem to be really expensive unless I am missing something? From my understanding, you just need a magnetic ballast, so in my case it would be a 400W magnetic ballast, as I plan to run Phillips 315w CMH bulb unless there are better alternatives? I have always used Phillips Son-T 400w HPS so just sticking to what I know and what I have read on CMH.

I live in Spain too, so it is kind of limiting on what I can get hold of afforbably, so some some clarification on some things would be cool so I know I am looking for the right stuff. For the ballast, would something like these ballasts be suitable? (Hopefully they translate to english)
- http://www.ebay.es/itm/400w-magnetic-ballast-hydroponics-MH-HPS-DUAL-/251331799248?hash=item3a848ae8d0
- http://kaya.es/en/ballast/4516-balastro-electromagnetico-eti-clase-ii-250w.html

Next, the bulb.. I am looking at the MasterColor CDM 315W, 4200K:
http://www.ebay.es/itm/PHILIPS-MASTER-Color-CDM-TMW-315W-942-PGZ18-801781-Metal-Halogeno-Dampflampe-/351410254895?hash=item51d1aef42f, also the socket ono the Mastercolor is not a Mogul socket, is there some kind of adaptor you need? lol

As said above really, is this the best bulb to be going for? Doing a search, this is the kit that seems to come up a lot: http://advancedtechlighting.com/cdmmw.htm and the bulb is a Philips MasterColor CDM Elite MW Lamp Series. I can´t seem to find these in Europe though. If I am wrong on anything do let me know so I can stop scratching my head over these lights haha

Thanks!

Sunsystem Lec 315w cmh from growers house. Is the best and most efficient cmh out right now.

hyroot said:

Sunsystem Lec 315w cmh from growers house. Is the best and most efficient cmh out right now.

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Thanks for the info hyroot, looking up the light here: http://growershouse.com/sun-system-lec-315-light-emitting-ceramic-mh-fixture-120v, it would be massively over budget sadly, especially with shipping I will go see my friend who runs a hydro store in town when I get a chance though, just in case.... Also the light is for placing in a cab with fairly limited space, from what I have read and seen CMH has major heat advantages over HPS? This is the problem I am up against during the summer months with HPS, even with good ventilation.

The 315w cmh DO NOT run with the 400w magnetic ballast.

Do not try it!

The 315w cmh need a special digital ballast to run and not destroy the bulb.

I got mine from advanced tech lighting.

Their kit comes with the ballast and the bulb, you need to purchase the socket and wires separately.

Also, my 315w ballasts run on 220v, I had to purchase a separate step up/down transformer to ramp down to 120v, but I don't think that'll be an issue for you in Spain.


I hope that helps!

a senile fungus said:

The 315w cmh DO NOT run with the 400w magnetic ballast.

Do not try it!

The 315w cmh need a special digital ballast to run and not destroy the bulb.

I got mine from advanced tech lighting.

Their kit comes with the ballast and the bulb, you need to purchase the socket and wires separately.

Also, my 315w ballasts run on 220v, I had to purchase a separate step up/down transformer to ramp down to 120v, but I don't think that'll be an issue for you in Spain.


I hope that helps!

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Many thanks for clearing a few things up there for me bud. I was doubting the ballast so it´s nice to eliminate that from my mind. Avanced Tech Lighting seem to just keep popping up whenever CMH is mentioned - so I have emailed them for some International shipping information to see if it is viable

Thanks for confirming the sockets and wiring also, the Spanish look at me sideways when I mention CMH lighting let alone any non universal connections lol Also RE the power voltage - correct, we run straight off the mains here lol

The lec one has an enclosed ballast. But if you buy a set up from advanced tech. You have to use their ballast.

The allstart 330 will run on a mh or switchable magnetic ballast.

hyroot said:

The lec one has an enclosed ballast. But if you buy a set up from advanced tech. You have to use their ballast.

The allstart 330 will run on a mh or switchable magnetic ballast.

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Ok bud, so far I have not heard back from Advanced Tech Lighting so not sure if they will even ship kits over, the LEC I have seen a few on ebay so that is definitely possible to get hold of, just in excess of 500€

The allstart 330 is a mh bulb though and not CMH right? Not come across that bulb before, thanks in advance for the info. Appreciated.

InTheSystem said:

Ok bud, so far I have not heard back from Advanced Tech Lighting so not sure if they will even ship kits over, the LEC I have seen a few on ebay so that is definitely possible to get hold of, just in excess of 500€

The allstart 330 is a mh bulb though and not CMH right? Not come across that bulb before, thanks in advance for the info. Appreciated.

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Allstart 330 and 860 are cmh. Advanced has carried it for years. The owner his heavily sedated from his meds for his condition quite a bit. So sometimes you have to call. He does tend to lagg on emails. When you do call he will talk your ear off about lighting

hyroot said:

Allstart 330 and 860 are cmh. Advanced has carried it for years. The owner his heavily sedated from his meds for his condition quite a bit. So sometimes you have to call. He does tend to lagg on emails. When you do call he will talk your ear off about lighting

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Thanks again for the info hyroot! Ok I will give the chap a call to see what he can offer and the best route to go for keeping the shipping low. Seems that the Allstart 330 might be good way to go, as I can acquire a ballast and reflector in Spain then, as shipping on a bulb alone would not cost much.