PlantMax Metal Halide to HPS Conversion Bulb

hoss12781

hoss12781

Well-Known Member
In case anyone is wondering they are, or at least I've received two defective ones in a row. My MH ballast fires a standard 400w MH bulb every time with no issue. When I tried both Plantmax 360W Conversion bulbs they would fire and warm until they were about at peak brightness then fail, stay off for about 4 minutes then try and fire again with the same result.

Anyone know of a conversion bulb that isn't as expensive as buying a HPS Ballast and hood and actually works Trying to save everyone a dollar - avoid at all costs.
 
cowboylogic

cowboylogic

Well-Known Member
If your ballast is magnetic you could buy and igniter for less than 20 bucks and have it installed in your ballast. Then you can fire regular HPS bulbs as well as MH bulbs....its a DIY if your a bit mechanically inclined.....
 
fabfun

fabfun

New Member
I have used the plantmax 360 bulb u are reffering to and they worked fine
i had a ballast go bad though one time and it would fire a mh but not to full brightness but wouldnt fire up the 360 at all but when i replaced ballast worked fine
u might want to check to see what is the output of ballast with a tester mine was only putting out what it had coming in 110v when it should have been putting out 400

and u can get the same bulb from accessdiscounts for $28 free shipping but i got my hydro store to price match
 
hoss12781

hoss12781

Well-Known Member
Thanks Fab and cowboy - probably won't mess with the ballast cause I wouldn't know where to begin, but will get a tester if you know where to pick one up. The magnetic ballast I'm using is an old Sun Systems self contained ballast/hood, and I got it on ebay for 40 bucks + 20 to ship. I'm using it for babies right now and given its age and the price I got it for there is a decent chance my ballast isn't hitting on all cylinders. By the way I got my Plantmax for 24 bucks at Gladiator Lighting. Their customer service has been magical.
 
fabfun

fabfun

New Member
take it to a electrician and ask him if u can test output he might charge a couple of bucks but most will do for free just google for one in your area that has a office not working out of home and call to ask or it would be better to just show up but dont go early in the am they might be busy and not have time

hoss12781 said:
Thanks Fab and cowboy - probably won't mess with the ballast cause I wouldn't know where to begin, but will get a tester if you know where to pick one up. The magnetic ballast I'm using is an old Sun Systems self contained ballast/hood, and I got it on ebay for 40 bucks + 20 to ship. I'm using it for babies right now and given its age and the price I got it for there is a decent chance my ballast isn't hitting on all cylinders. By the way I got my Plantmax for 24 bucks at Gladiator Lighting. Their customer service has been magical.
Click to expand...
 
youngdog

youngdog

Active Member
I use plantmax bulbs in my 1000. although i have a switchable balast ive never had an issue. I think these bulbs are decent for the price. I have a hortilux bulb in a different setup and i honestly cannot notice the difference. must be something that happens at harvest time.
 
hoss12781

hoss12781

Well-Known Member
Let it be known that I was wrong. I was using an old ballast. I brought the conversion bulb over to a friend of mine's grow and it worked just fine on his so I sold it to him. I was using a dusty old magnetic MH ballast that was not firing on all cylinders. Sorry for any bad PR Plantmax!
 
fabfun

fabfun

New Member
hoss12781 said:
Let it be known that I was wrong. I was using an old ballast. I brought the conversion bulb over to a friend of mine's grow and it worked just fine on his so I sold it to him. I was using a dusty old magnetic MH ballast that was not firing on all cylinders. Sorry for any bad PR Plantmax!
Click to expand...
did u check the capacitor
 
hoss12781

hoss12781

Well-Known Member
yes please, I found its easy to get advice when you post something inflamatory and at the time I was angry with my purchase. I actually sold my mh ballast to a friend who is an electrcian. He took it apart, cleaned it, and put the plantmax bulb in it. Works like a charm. You can delete the whole thread if you like.
 
fabfun

fabfun

New Member
hoss12781 said:
yes please, I found its easy to get advice when you post something inflamatory and at the time I was angry with my purchase. I actually sold my mh ballast to a friend who is an electrcian. He took it apart, cleaned it, and put the plantmax bulb in it. Works like a charm. You can delete the whole thread if you like.
Click to expand...

feel it is helpful to leave other info cause someone else might have same issue and find out it isnt the bulb but the ballast issues
 
H

headseed

Active Member
I just had a 600w Plantmax hps bulb fail in 73 days of 12/12 on a brand new Lumatek 600 dimmable ballast. Thankfully I noticed it right away and swapped an old 400 in there until I can grab a replacement. Probably going to just buy 2 x plantmax 600s since they are $40 apiece at cheap hydroponics. Unless anyone has any other suggestions.
 
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