Is It Safe to Run a Dimmable 600 W ballast at 660 Watts (Preset Switch)? Pic + Link

CaptainAhab · Mar 16, 2012

I have a new 600 Watt light system from Virtual Sun Hydroponics, and I bought the dimmable ballast version of their 600 watt enclosed wing light + digital ballast + bulbs (MH and HPS) combo.

However, it has 4 settings on the ballast, seen here: http://www.virtualsunhydroponics.com/Agricultural/products/VS600WDBD.asp?rt=2

And, I don't know if it's safe for my system to run it at 660 Watts, or not. That extra 60 watts would be like icing on the cake, really, since I'd probably squeeze another plant into my 3x3 tent. Anyhow, it's set at 600 Watts, now, but I don't want to burn anything out (or down, as the case may be).

What do you think?

phillipchristian · Mar 16, 2012

It's basically the same as the Lumatek "Super Lumens" setting. I don't run my bulns on it because they say it shortens bulb life. The other thing; considering you have a 3x3 tent; 600w is already MORE than enough. A 600w light has a optimal footprint of 4.5 x 4.4 when you have your plants 12" from the glass. Anything else is just a waste.

CATARACT · Mar 16, 2012

CaptainAhab said:
I have a new 600 Watt light system from Virtual Sun Hydroponics, and I bought the dimmable ballast version of their 600 watt enclosed wing light + digital ballast + bulbs (MH and HPS) combo.

However, it has 4 settings on the ballast, seen here: http://www.virtualsunhydroponics.com/Agricultural/products/VS600WDBD.asp?rt=2
View attachment 2072852

And, I don't know if it's safe for my system to run it at 660 Watts, or not. That extra 60 watts would be like icing on the cake, really, since I'd probably squeeze another plant into my 3x3 tent. Anyhow, it's set at 600 Watts, now, but I don't want to burn anything out (or down, as the case may be).

What do you think?

Personaly i would just run it with a 600 and set your ballast to 600

mantiszn · Mar 16, 2012

i'm on the other team.. crank that shit to 660

CATARACT · Mar 16, 2012

Can you buy a 660W hps ????

CATARACT · Mar 16, 2012

A ballast is simply like a cars alternator/generator and ony puts out the power required.

Ilovebush · Mar 16, 2012

I'm with phillipchristian on that...unless you have a bulb designed to run at a higher frequency (Hz), you will shorten the life of your bulb significantly. 3-1 team 600...if you really wanna squeeze another plant in there just veg for a shorter time and SOG.

wheels619 · Mar 16, 2012

CaptainAhab said:
I have a new 600 Watt light system from Virtual Sun Hydroponics, and I bought the dimmable ballast version of their 600 watt enclosed wing light + digital ballast + bulbs (MH and HPS) combo.

However, it has 4 settings on the ballast, seen here: http://www.virtualsunhydroponics.com/Agricultural/products/VS600WDBD.asp?rt=2
View attachment 2072852

And, I don't know if it's safe for my system to run it at 660 Watts, or not. That extra 60 watts would be like icing on the cake, really, since I'd probably squeeze another plant into my 3x3 tent. Anyhow, it's set at 600 Watts, now, but I don't want to burn anything out (or down, as the case may be).

What do you think?

its called super lumens. its mainly used when ur bulb is on its last leg or during the last two weeks of flower to help swell and make ur bud just a wee bit denser. its not ment to be used constantly thruout ur grow. ive got buddies that say its helped with yield running the last two weeks of flower with it on super lumens. it does slightly shorten ur bulb life. but in all honesty u should change ur bulbs once at least for every 3-4 cycles u have used it. or about a year max. so use the super lumens for the last two weeks and get better results like the ballast was initially made to do.

CaptainAhab · Mar 17, 2012

wheels619 said:
its called super lumens. its mainly used when ur bulb is on its last leg or during the last two weeks of flower to help swell and make ur bud just a wee bit denser. its not ment to be used constantly thruout ur grow. ive got buddies that say its helped with yield running the last two weeks of flower with it on super lumens. it does slightly shorten ur bulb life. but in all honesty u should change ur bulbs once at least for every 3-4 cycles u have used it. or about a year max. so use the super lumens for the last two weeks and get better results like the ballast was initially made to do.

Thanks for the reply. Your post reminded me of the product's description on the manufacturer's web page, where it said that it has an "1100" watt boost for the pre-harvest stage. Which got me thinking... that it must be a typo. They messed up and put in the wrong description for their 600 Watt dimmable ballast, copying and pasting their 1000 watt ballast description, without proofreading. See here:

On http://www.virtualsunhydroponics.com/Agricultural/products/VS600WDBD.asp?rt=2 it says "It also implements a 1100 Watt feature for the extra boost right before harvest."

So yeah, you're right, it's for a boost pre-harvest. Thanks again for the info.

wheels619 · Mar 17, 2012

for sure. all my buddies swear by the super lumens the last two weeks of flower. get ur grow on and good luck.

Fishtee · Mar 17, 2012

I have the same virtual sun 600 and personnally ijust run it at600 but I have noticed that mines have been turning off andon for some reason is it the .ba llast or a current problem

Scabbio · Mar 17, 2012

I keep on thinking of spinal tap... Can't help it.

Nigel: The numbers all go to eleven. Look, right across the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and...

GanjaGod420000 · Mar 20, 2012

As a 15 year journeyman union electrician and grower, I would disadvise the use of the high setting on a dimmable setup. As said above, it DOES shorten a lamp's lifespan, and unless u get em for free(like I do), I know they r expensive, and with increased demand on the filiment and contained gases, yes, it does "stress them out" and decrease lumen production over a fairly short period of time. However, I AM a tried and true believer in the lumen blasting effects of throwing, say a 400W MH in the spectrum mix during the last two weeks of flowering, and the gradual changes in spectrum mix throughout the lifecycle of the plants... I do it all the time, and have great results with it...

CaptainAhab · Mar 20, 2012

GanjaGod420000 said:
As a 15 year journeyman union electrician and grower, I would disadvise the use of the high setting on a dimmable setup. As said above, it DOES shorten a lamp's lifespan, and unless u get em for free(like I do), I know they r expensive, and with increased demand on the filiment and contained gases, yes, it does "stress them out" and decrease lumen production over a fairly short period of time. However, I AM a tried and true believer in the lumen blasting effects of throwing, say a 400W MH in the spectrum mix during the last two weeks of flowering, and the gradual changes in spectrum mix throughout the lifecycle of the plants... I do it all the time, and have great results with it...

So you think I should put my currently boxed up 400 Watt MH into the tent during the last 2 weeks? I'm not sure how would you get a gradual change in the spectrum's the plants are exposed to, aside from say, putting an LED into the tent, as well, or switching the types of bulbs that you're running periodically throughout the cycle.

mnmobbin · Mar 20, 2012

I have the same ballast and run it at 660w the whole flowering period with no problems. I also plan on replacing the bulb every grow.

Is It Safe to Run a Dimmable 600 W ballast at 660 Watts (Preset Switch)? Pic + Link

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