grow room safety

Most digital ballasts will not re-start until ready...

And a 1k HPS will BLOW the shit out of a cool tube and send FLAMING HOT GASES everywhere... much like a napalm bomb going off... it is pretty much a sure fire...

Ask user Bugsrnme..

GypsyBush said:

Most digital ballasts will not re-start until ready...

And a 1k HPS will BLOW the shit out of a cool tube and send FLAMING HOT GASES everywhere... much like a napalm bomb going off... it is pretty much a sure fire...

Ask user Bugsrnme..

Click to expand...

stories like these are what will keep me a fluoro grower for life
or until i can afford a bare concrete grow room

GypsyBush said:

Most digital ballasts will not re-start until ready...

And a 1k HPS will BLOW the shit out of a cool tube and send FLAMING HOT GASES everywhere... much like a napalm bomb going off... it is pretty much a sure fire...

Ask user Bugsrnme..

Click to expand...

Holy shit do u think a 1k htg digital greenhouse ballast would hot start? I might have to put the op on hold hearing some shit like that lol, or is this problem mainly with magnetic ballasts?

btw there is no user named "bugsrnme"

If the installation is "kosher", the odds are in your favor that it will not happen... EVER...

But airplanes crash, houses fall into sinkholes and the occasional HPS does explode... it's just a part of life...

And many a fluoro have started a fire too... they actually fail WAY MORE OFTEN than HIDs... a little severe, but stil a risk...

PlutonicChronic said:

Holy shit do u think a 1k htg digital greenhouse ballast would hot start? I might have to put the op on hold hearing some shit like that lol, or is this problem mainly with magnetic ballasts?

Click to expand...

Those are the HTG ones right???

As most digis, theirs will also prevent a hot start...

I have 2x 600s from them and have never had an issue...

And yes magnetic ballasts are more SUSCEPTIBLE, but that does not mean if the lights flicker they will explode...

It's a freak thing...

I have both types.. been running for 2 years now...

Power has gone out many times.. sometimes just a flicker.. never a problem....

Doesn't mean it CAN'T happen.. but also does not mean it WILL happen...

Think of how many lights are on now in the world... and how many hours they operate combined without failure...

I think you have a higher risk of a cop crashing his car in to your op and seeing it than a "napalm fire" from a PROPERLY INSTALLED HPS...

LED lighting, more expensive up front, but no heat like HID's, reduces smell and in the long run - saves on your electric bill and there is a FAR less chance of a bust (especially from infrared heat sensors mounted on a chopper, if you have that concern). I know lighting is not the only fire hazard, but HID's produce about 6X the heat of an LED system. Be sure not to overload extension outlets and give them some breathing room. If you are afro engineering a grow, please use extreme caution when splicing wires. And remember, advice on the forums is NEVER a substitute for common sense, education and a professional electrician (you don't have to tell them it's for cannabis). Kudos on your concern for safety.


-KRG

and someone was talking about extension cords...

I feed my 50 amp box with CABLE that is thicker than a garden hose...

kennewickrockerguy said:

but HID's produce about 6X the heat of an LED system. .


-KRG

Click to expand...

HIDs also produce 10x more bud PER WATT than LEDs...



LEDs work GREAT on my headlamp...

GypsyBush said:

If the installation is "kosher", the odds are in your favor that it will not happen... EVER...

But airplanes crash, houses fall into sinkholes and the occasional HPS does explode... it's just a part of life...

And many a fluoro have started a fire too... they actually fail WAY MORE OFTEN than HIDs... a little severe, but stil a risk...

Click to expand...

zero risk will never happen, understood
but aren't the failure modes of fluoro bulbs and ballasts much less spectacular than the HPS stuff?
my grow chamber has no combustible materials, metal and ceramic, bulbs and ballasts are contained
so i'm comfortable with what i see as low risk

growone said:

zero risk will never happen, understood

Click to expand...

I didn't say that... there is ALWAYS a risk.... small as it may be...

but aren't the failure modes of fluoro bulbs and ballasts much less spectacular than the HPS stuff?

Click to expand...

Yeah... but the way I see...

Less risk more often ... the risk is still there... and with more frequency, you get more chances for the "freak" thing to happen...

Same risk in my opinion... especially when you factor in bud quality/quantity...

my grow chamber has no combustible materials, metal and ceramic, bulbs and ballasts are contained

Click to expand...

I do.. but I did get rid of the carpet...

so i'm comfortable with what i see as low risk

Click to expand...

There are millions of grow op not burning down today because of an HPS...

Not to talk about street lamps, parking lots, GYMs, stadiums etc..etc...

If you set it up right... chances are you will be A-OK..!!!!

GypsyBush said:

If you set it up right... chances are you will be A-OK..!!!!

Click to expand...

yeah, if the setup is good your risk should manageable
i may give HPS a whirl eventually, but it will be in the concrete grow room
which i could setup, just more of a chore than i can get to for a while
that and waiting for a lightening up of laws in my state for larger grows

growone said:

i may give HPS a whirl eventually,

Click to expand...

My flower room is 2400w, but even if I was only running 35 watts, I would choose HPS... watt for watt it will still give you more light and a better result...

HPS will give you more, better bud... period...

I love my hps. Left it running while I was on vacation two separate occasions for 5 days, didn't even worry. I think as long as u follow directions (get bulbs rated for correct orientation), cool them properly, and buy quality enclosed ballasts/hoods you're pretty safe.

thx for all the feedback

kennewickrockerguy said:

LED lighting, more expensive up front, but no heat like HID's, reduces smell and in the long run - saves on your electric bill and there is a FAR less chance of a bust (especially from infrared heat sensors mounted on a chopper, if you have that concern). I know lighting is not the only fire hazard, but HID's produce about 6X the heat of an LED system. Be sure not to overload extension outlets and give them some breathing room. If you are afro engineering a grow, please use extreme caution when splicing wires. And remember, advice on the forums is NEVER a substitute for common sense, education and a professional electrician (you don't have to tell them it's for cannabis). Kudos on your concern for safety.


-KRG

Click to expand...

Speaking of splicing wires i have 25ft 10awg coming off a 20watt breaker. I have to get the outlet about 5 feet further to reach room. I know a knowledgeable electrician.
Would a correct splice effect performance on a HPS?
Im thinking no but wasn't sure if redirecting power 180 degrees in a splice would effect performance.. prolly a dumb question i dont know jack about electricity

PlutonicChronic said:

Speaking of splicing wires i have 25ft 10awg coming off a 20watt breaker. I have to get the outlet about 5 feet further to reach room. I know a knowledgeable electrician.
Would a correct splice effect performance on a HPS?
Im thinking no but wasn't sure if redirecting power 180 degrees in a splice would effect performance.. prolly a dumb question i dont know jack about electricity

Click to expand...

make sure your electrical system can handle all of the power you are going to run through it and wire it properly (or have that electrician friend wire it) and you should be fine, you can get a meter to monitor how much light you put out, if that concerned.


sorry it took so long to reply, i was born and raised in new orleans and was glued to the tv... god i miss home, i'd be smoked out of my mind...