Indoor Need advice on old MH/HPS/LPS.

[Alex Delarge]

Can someone advise of a good article about identifying lighting, bulbs, and ballasts??

Have some old equipment (dates back to early 90's), and do not remember what goes with what.

What would happen if you put a vertical bulb in a horizontal hood? Think the horizontals can go either way.

What happens if you plug a MH into a HPS, or vice versa? What would happen plugging a LPS into an MH or HPS?

I have a multimeter.

Thank You!!!

 

[Alex Delarge]

Also, how do you clean the bulbs???
Figured out I have one vertical, one horizontal, and one either, all MH, plus an LPS.
Big question remaining is how to identify a LPS ballast, since they use the same connectors.

 

[Bonzo Mendoza]

I'd just just fire that bitch up and see if it works, then leave it on for a day or two to see if it explodes or catches fire - if not ... well then, idk .... I'd probably try to sell it and then go out and get yourself some modern equip.

lps = low pressure sodium

Low pressure sodium is also a low intensity discharge. Why not just take $50 down to Ikeat and get yourself a closet full of cfl's and dome fixtures???

Do you really want to invest all the money and time in a gro op when you aren't even sure about your lighting?? Also, even the best modern MH bulbs aren't much good after 2000 hours of use, so why mess with it??

 

[Alex Delarge]

I'd just just fire that bitch up and see if it works, then leave it on for a day or two to see if it explodes or catches fire - if not ... well then, idk .... I'd probably try to sell it and then go out and get yourself some modern equip.

lps = low pressure sodium

Low pressure sodium is also a low intensity discharge. Why not just take $50 down to Ikeat and get yourself a closet full of cfl's and dome fixtures???

Do you really want to invest all the money and time in a gro op when you aren't even sure about your lighting?? Also, even the best modern MH bulbs aren't much good after 2000 hours of use, so why mess with it??

Thanks for your reply - Think the LPS was about 180 watt. CFL would be a lot safer, cheaper, and cooler.

I guess the safest would be to plug the MH's into each ballast, and see if they come on. If one does not work, it must be the LPS.

GE's website gives one bulb a 15,000 hour lifetime. Does the color shift with time?

 

[swampman]

the saying goes ya get what u pay for .....LOOk into the DIY section and u can get some really great ideas .....CFls are cheaper but man Id really suggest an Awesome Led ...depending on sapce and plants u gonna run ....u cant go wrong with a big led or smaller depending on the setup u running ....

id suggest build or find ur space give dimensions on here and ask more questions ....autos are very sensitive and u wouldnt want all sort of lighting problems ....not to mention u get abpout 3 years outta led and u save an average of about 2700 in those 3 years from electricity .....A 240w blackstar 3w diodes will raise temps about 5 degrees .....u can cover a small area with 1 i think its 2x3 and can handle 3-4 plants ...they around 250-300 but like i stated they are better in the long term life ........I can send u to a thread and read the last 6 pages ....OUr best coach Muddy just had a very extensive convo with a breeder on lighting so i hope this give ya a better thought .....

dont know exaclty where ur located as to that can vary to lights u can get .....

https://www.autoflower.org/f5/down-muddys-farm-8574.html.....read the last few pages maybe 5 or 6 and u can get some soild info there ....if not that far back read till u find him and cres speaking of lighting ....hes also has albums with grow box designs using cfls so thats the best help i could give ya is look around the CFl forum if u in a tight budget

 

[Alex Delarge]

the saying goes ya get what u pay for .....LOOk into the DIY section and u can get some really great ideas .....CFls are cheaper but man Id really suggest an Awesome Led ...depending on sapce and plants u gonna run ....u cant go wrong with a big led or smaller depending on the setup u running ....

id suggest build or find ur space give dimensions on here and ask more questions ....autos are very sensitive and u wouldnt want all sort of lighting problems ....not to mention u get abpout 3 years outta led and u save an average of about 2700 in those 3 years from electricity .....A 240w blackstar 3w diodes will raise temps about 5 degrees .....u can cover a small area with 1 i think its 2x3 and can handle 3-4 plants ...they around 250-300 but like i stated they are better in the long term life ........I can send u to a thread and read the last 6 pages ....OUr best coach Muddy just had a very extensive convo with a breeder on lighting so i hope this give ya a better thought .....

dont know exaclty where ur located as to that can vary to lights u can get .....

https://www.autoflower.org/f5/f5/down-muddys-farm-8574.html.....read the last few pages maybe 5 or 6 and u can get some soild info there ....if not that far back read till u find him and cres speaking of lighting ....hes also has albums with grow box designs using cfls so thats the best help i could give ya is look around the CFl forum if u in a tight budget

Thanks for the info. Will probably use the equipment I have, till I get some money. AF's are my goal, but using schwag seeds for learning.

 

[swampman]

there is tons of the CFl and microgorw threads ,.....U can basiclly build a good CFL light for like 30$ but then u can also spend 100$ and do they same just more lights ....I hope ya get some better answers through here ......and ahh i have done the reg seeds thing ....Im over that ...i love knowing what im growing and what time can be expected give or take a few weeks .......but hey atleast u getting the green thumb going .......are u versital to soil ....what dirt do u use ....man to grow autos

PH pen necessary
quality dirt --- HIglhy necessay and PH has to be on point .....maybe these could help as well ....If ur using Hps sopme dirts work well under them some dry out to fast or vice versa ....JUst trying to help as i learned the hard way ....started autos then asked for help and took longer to get on tract .....

 

[Alex Delarge]

there is tons of the CFl and microgorw threads ,.....U can basiclly build a good CFL light for like 30$ but then u can also spend 100$ and do they same just more lights ....I hope ya get some better answers through here ......and ahh i have done the reg seeds thing ....Im over that ...i love knowing what im growing and what time can be expected give or take a few weeks .......but hey atleast u getting the green thumb going .......are u versital to soil ....what dirt do u use ....man to grow autos

PH pen necessary
quality dirt --- HIglhy necessay and PH has to be on point .....maybe these could help as well ....If ur using Hps sopme dirts work well under them some dry out to fast or vice versa ....JUst trying to help as i learned the hard way ....started autos then asked for help and took longer to get on tract .....

Started ebb and flow hydro. Switching to aeroponics. Do AF's prefer dirt to hydro????

 

[Alex Delarge]

What about cleaning MH bulbs? Is windex and paper towels OK???

 

[JM]

AF's , like any canna, prefer the best conditions and nutrients at the right time as well as the right ph, light, and water regiment to perform optimally. Ultimately, it doesn't matter what medium you grow in, just that you do it right.

that said... I like dirt... and I used to be a big hydro fan.. if you're just starting out... go dirt... much more forgiving... hydro.. one mistake can cause disastrous results.