running on a dimming ballast

foodcooker

Member
hey everyone

So, anybody know if there would be any long term damaging effects to a bulb or ballast if it was ran at 60% (600 watts in a 1000 watt bulb and ballast)

Obviously this is for the fellow growers who use dimming ballasts, thanks guys
 

HotShot7414

Well-Known Member
Even tho it's dim able i heard from a company that makes them that dimming the bulb over a long period of time does have some bad effects,but i think you should be good.
 

superstoner1

Well-Known Member
it is said that dimming a 1000 changes the color spectrum. and i also understand that it is better to dim the ballasts to desired watts and use appropriate bulb,ie. 60%=600w bulb.
 

ganjalibera

Active Member
i repost this here as i have no answer yet and it seems relevant:


  • I need to change my ballast and have been researching digital dimmable ballasts, do you know if the input wattage stays the same when dimming down or if it goes down to match the lower output? for example: a 600w ballast seems to have an input of 620w at 600w but if you dim it down to 400w will it still consume 620w of power? I hope it's understandable
    Thanks

I also read somewhere that dimming a 600w down to 400 gives off light at a better spectrum than at full power, does anyone know if it's true?
 

^NoR*CaL@420

Well-Known Member
i repost this here as i have no answer yet and it seems relevant:


  • I need to change my ballast and have been researching digital dimmable ballasts, do you know if the input wattage stays the same when dimming down or if it goes down to match the lower output? for example: a 600w ballast seems to have an input of 620w at 600w but if you dim it down to 400w will it still consume 620w of power? I hope it's understandable
    Thanks

I also read somewhere that dimming a 600w down to 400 gives off light at a better spectrum than at full power, does anyone know if it's true?
the digitals are pretty bad ass so ya even the cheap ones will pull less if you dim them. i cant say for sure bout the different spectrum but its an interesting thought. my vote is a slight to no difference.
 

chrishydro

Well-Known Member
This grow (i have a 1k) i ran it at 50 percent all through veg and never went over 75 percent for flower, all is well and I have about three weeks to go. I do it to control the heat is all. If I go 100 percent I break the barrier and temps go into the 90s


Plus I only have two plants going so 1k is overkill, I have a 400 but thought was cool to buy a 1k.
 

blaze1camp

Well-Known Member
yeah i have been running my 600w at 400w for about 2 months and havent seen any problems have also ran the 600w on super lumens last cycle with no problems also
 

superstoner1

Well-Known Member
1000 watts is 1000 watts, and 600 watts is 600 watts. power usage depends on final wattage used so yes it will go down.
 

ganjalibera

Active Member
1000 watts is 1000 watts, and 600 watts is 600 watts. power usage depends on final wattage used so yes it will go down.
I thought so but i got doubts when i saw the technical features list talking about input and output power so i wasn't sure if it needed a constant input of 620w to deliver accurate power.

Key Specifications/Special Features:


  • Electronic ballast for 600W HPS or MH lamp
  • Voltage: 230V 50/60Hz
  • Current: 2.70A
  • Input power: 620W
  • Output power: 600W
  • Power factor: >0.99
  • Voltage range: 165 to 265V
  • THD: <8%
  • Lamp CCF: <1.7
  • Operating frequency: high frequency
  • No audible noise, no flicker
  • Environment temperature: -25 to 50°C (-13 to 122°F)
  • Enclosure temperature rise (&#916;t): 35°C (95°F)
  • Environment IP require: >IP23
call it stoner paranoia :wall:
Thanks
 
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