How would you utilize a dimmable digital ballast?

TheRainman

TheRainman

Member
Hey all-

I'm a vegger, but decided to throw flowering into the mix and start playing "scientist" (I'm an experimenting freak) with different strains, pollen, etc.

So I picked up a Solis-Tek 400w dimmable. I immediately plugged it in and slapped it to the highest setting of 400w SP. After a day or two of monitoring, I decided the heat and power were too strong for the small flowering box I have (I will run this setting, but I feel the highest setting should be towards the end of flower...please let me know your thoughts on this).

I have 4 settings:

400 SP
400
250 SP
250

How would you operate this light given the power supply? The bulb was matched with the digital balast, so I have the correct bulb.

Thank you all in advance!
 
Alexander Supertramp

Alexander Supertramp

Well-Known Member
On the 250 settings use 250 watt bulbs. 400 settings use 400 watt bulbs. 250 for the first few weeks of veg. Then to the 400 for most of the remainder of the grow. Then back to the 250 for the final 2 weeks or so of flower.
 
jondamon

jondamon

Well-Known Member
Alexander Supertramp said:
On the 250 settings use 250 watt bulbs. 400 settings use 400 watt bulbs. 250 for the first few weeks of veg. Then to the 400 for most of the remainder of the grow. Then back to the 250 for the final 2 weeks or so of flower.
Click to expand...
This is the best way to utilise the ballast.

With dimmable ballasts people think that you can just run a bulb at the desired dimming level, but it has effects on the PAR output of the bulb.

The SP setting on most dimmable ballasts is for you to get one more run from your bulb when you'd normally change it not to over power your new lamp.


J
 
jondamon

jondamon

Well-Known Member
209 Cali closet grower said:
If I'm right, a 400w ballast dimmble or not. You should use the right bulb for the ballast. Not dim it down, and use a lower bulb.
Click to expand...
Most manufacturers of dimmable ballasts recommend using the correct wattage bulb for dim feature selected.

As I mentioned mainly due to PAR differences when a 400w bulb is dimmed to 250w, or when a 600w is dimmed to 400w etc.



J
 
GreenVader

GreenVader

Member
Your on the right Path bro!
This is what I would do with that 400w Solis Tek
I would get a 400w eye Hortilux Super hps bulb

1. Run it at 250 SPL to start of with.
2.middle of grow turn it up to 400
3.end of grow turn it up to 400 SPL
 
TheRainman

TheRainman

Member
GreenVader said:
Your on the right Path bro!
This is what I would do with that 400w Solis Tek
I would get a 400w eye Hortilux Super hps bulb

1. Run it at 250 SPL to start of with.
2.middle of grow turn it up to 400
3.end of grow turn it up to 400 SPL
Click to expand...
Hats off to you Vader. Appreciate the feedback!
 
TheRainman

TheRainman

Member
jondamon said:
This is the best way to utilise the ballast.

With dimmable ballasts people think that you can just run a bulb at the desired dimming level, but it has effects on the PAR output of the bulb.

The SP setting on most dimmable ballasts is for you to get one more run from your bulb when you'd normally change it not to over power your new lamp.


J
Click to expand...
Jon -

Thank you for the reply. Sound like good advice!
 
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