Lumatek 600 Ballast question

Hey, I just bought two dual lumatek ballasts for 230 each! Slightly used. I was wondering when I would use the super lumens button? Also when I dim the ballast to save energy while I am vegging how much watts per foot, I am going to have 3X3 trays with maybe nine in each and I was wondering how much watts I should set it for and how close?

Thank you all plus rep.

Hey brother!
on the Lumatek questions, I have a 600 Luma myself and i have discovered I will use the super lumens to speed up the grow process periodically, so one day a week I'll walk in there and turn it on Superlumens for a day during the week, but normal the rest fo the week I have heard of guys always running it on Super all the time... but
Best analogy for this though is if you understand computers, it's like overclocking your processor. You can get results faster and make the 'system" run faster, but remember by doing this you have the potential of a couple of variables, and just 2 of them being to either pop the bulb when you are not home and chancing stressing you plant because the light was off when it should have been on-usually recoverable if you can get your hands on another bulb before some bullshit happens like the plant falls over and dies... or the bulb dying early or running lighter than it should before it's warranty period ends... and therefore loosing hours on that bulb.

Anyways, for a 600watts lamp you need to set it to 600watts unless you decide to "Overclock it" or Superlumens it", there is no variable when it comes to the bulbs, they are what they are.
As for the distance, this really depends on the heat! Good rule of thumb is around 14-18 inches above the plants, but if you think it's too hot to hold your hand right above the top of the plant, you are too close and the plant will react and tell you "it's too damn hot muthafucka!" and the leaves will either curl or burn...

Good Luck on your grow!

Thank you, I also got a hood with a free hps bulb in it, it is 1000 watt tho, can I still run it but the ballast will only power the bulb 600 watts worth?

Hmm unless someone corrects me, I do not believe it works like that- not sure of the the outcome of an overpowered bulb with a 600w ballast... but an underpowered bulb on a higher powered ballast can start fires... I don't believe it will even power on, have you tried it?

No I haven't moved into my new house with 240 yet but the guy was super nice and said it would just decrease the life of the bulb, but it was free so w/e.

I've seen people do it accidentally by not paying attention to the packaging and being sent the wrong bulb on a few grows, but meh, I'd sell what you have and get a 600w bulb so you're matching correctly. Better to spend $60 now than to burn a whole house down.

Edit: They've always corrected the problem halfway through the grow. I'd imagine it'd cut down on the lifespan of the ballast and the bulb by running them together permanently.

I use my Lumatek 600w on Super Lumens in my flower room 12/12. Unless the ambient temps get too hot, I'll run it full power. The great thing about these ballasts is if it does get a little warm you can always dim it all the way down to 360w to help keep your room cool, especially if you're not running C02

Damn I definately don't want to ruin the ballast but if it just decreases the life on the bulb that's no problem.

https://www.rollitup.org/grow-room-design-setup/133897-400w-bulb-250w-ballast.html

found the thread I was looking for

He used his for the entire flowering stage before changing it. He also states a few posts down that when he got the correct size bulb, he noticed it was a bit brighter. Those 600w bulbs are made to produce the best light at 600w! 1000w bulbs @ 1000w! I don't have any scientific data to back this up, but it's a pretty sound hypothesis that you wouldn't be getting the right amount of light/lumens out of the 1000w

I really had to look at it this way, my plants are worth at the very least $400 a piece. Why skimp out on something so small as 60$

I wish i could give you more rep, thanks bro.