New Grower 600w Ballast question...

[flyinhawaiian]

I have purchased a Phantom digital 600w ballast only because I got a really good deal. My problem is I only want to run a 400w HPS bulb since I am only doing 3 autos. Is it a problem to run a 400w HPS in a 600w ballast? I have researched this and some say its fine and others say no. Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[A-Train]

I've never done it but I can assure you the bulb will not last as long if it runs it. If your growing 3 plants a 600 watt will do much better than the 400 if I were you ide invest a few more dollars for the 600 bulb and I promise the yield you get from it will pay for yhe bulb 100 times over the next few grows my man

 

[flyinhawaiian]

I've never done it but I can assure you the bulb will not last as long if it runs it. If your growing 3 plants a 600 watt will do much better than the 400 if I were you ide invest a few more dollars for the 600 bulb and I promise the yield you get from it will pay for yhe bulb 100 times over the next few grows my man

Thanks! That is exactly what I figured I would do. New to this and want to do it right and safe. I'll exchange the 400w bulb for a 600w tomorrow.

 

[A-Train]

Good deal brother ypu won't regret it. The most ideal way to use HID lighting is to start with a metal halide wich provides a more complete blue spectrum the plants need in Veg then switch to a high pressure sodium bulb during flower for the red spectrum needed in flower. If you only want to run 1 bulb though def go with the hps for full grow. It'll still work like a champ my friend

 

[Rus]

Those phantom ballast are the bomb-shizel bro. You scored big time. I'm going to suggest that you hang it on a wall outside of your gro area keep it well ventilated so it last forever Schwing! These are the lamps I run in mine. Use the 4 or 600w setting respectively.

View attachment 532408

 

[Rus]

Not sure why so many pix of the plantmax went up thats weird. Anyhow you can Denku 600 for the whole grow but I prefer to save it for flower only. To me its like giving your plant a nice big kiss when it comes time to blossom. She'll love ya for it. Ok sorry to get off track there but I wanted to tell you that if it gets to hot in your grow dont hesitate one second.......turn the switch and dim that sucker!!!!! You can run that 600 at the 400w setting. This time of year I run mine on the superlumen setting. In summer I dim the hell out of em. Hope this helps.
Peace