Stelthy's 600W Hps Project! (New-Cab)

Can you explain what you did to connect the ballasts? My question I guess is do you have to do anything besides flip a switch and change the bulb? I'm most curious if you also have to exchange the power cords running to the base? I would like to be able to switch between two different wattages on the fly but I'm not sure that i can connect both sets of power cords to the same mogul base. Thanks a lot, everything looks very well done!

pistoria2001 said:

Can you explain what you did to connect the ballasts? My question I guess is do you have to do anything besides flip a switch and change the bulb? I'm most curious if you also have to exchange the power cords running to the base? I would like to be able to switch between two different wattages on the fly but I'm not sure that i can connect both sets of power cords to the same mogul base. Thanks a lot, everything looks very well done!

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Hi Pistoria2001 I set up the ballast like this on the bottom is the biggest (600W) then in the middle (400W) and on the top th (250W) Then I fed the reflectors ballast-connection lead up into the top section and into the ballast area, I made a simple switch (not shown - uncopyrighted yet ) - simerlar to that of an 3 stage AV switch box I fed the reflector onto a Male slot and the 3 ballasts onto 3 seperate female slots and the 3 step switch determines which ballast can power the reflector and appropriate bulb/lamp.

The 3 Power plugs at the back are connected into a 4-way extension lead with remote sensors on them, I can turn them on and off via a remote control I keep velcro'd to the side of my cab.

I was going to faff around trying to fix a 250, 400 and 600 all into the reflector but after planning and research I found not only would the light output be uneven but also the lamp that was in play would damage the unlit lamps !

So its a manual single lamp change, but thanks to the switch on the ballasts and the remote plugs the change of lamp and wattage is pretty easy to do !!! Hope this helps - STELTHY

I was also thinking the unlit lamps would be affected by the lit one if all were wired to the reflector at the same time. I don't know the reason why, but it seems like it would be a problem. It seems fairly obvious to me how to wire the switch which would control which ballast received power, but for some reason I haven't been able to wrap my head around the wires coming out of the ballasts going to the base. Thanks for the information, I think I may just set it up with each having a plug and manually switch them. Considering that I will switch ballasts very rarely it shouldn't be too big of a deal to exchange cords, flip switch, change bulb.

thanks littlegrower ur making me blush lmao.

i think the smart pots and airpots work in the same kinda way. have a look at my pics stealth u can see the airpots in use as lg said, i ripped the roots apart after.

hope ur good bro?

pistoria2001 said:

I was also thinking the unlit lamps would be affected by the lit one if all were wired to the reflector at the same time. I don't know the reason why, but it seems like it would be a problem. It seems fairly obvious to me how to wire the switch which would control which ballast received power, but for some reason I haven't been able to wrap my head around the wires coming out of the ballasts going to the base. Thanks for the information, I think I may just set it up with each having a plug and manually switch them. Considering that I will switch ballasts very rarely it shouldn't be too big of a deal to exchange cords, flip switch, change bulb.

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I'm actually in the process of re-wiring up my magnetic ballasts, one 250w MH and one 400w HPS/CMH. I'm using a ballast kit, sheet metal and a 120mm fan to fashion my own ballast case. I also plan on wiring up a male 3-way plug to each of my mogul sockets and a female plug coming out of the ballast case. This way I can easily change out wattages.

I have noticed that some of the lower leaves of my Great White Shark are pretty huge, and figure its because she is planted right next to my 6" cool intake... I've come up with a plan to correct this but will do the modification after this 1st grow is harvested. Basically I plan to utilize another 6" - 45 degree elbow attached from my lowest intake on the left side of the cab and feed it down into/through my grow shelf... That way the cool intake will be redirected from directly hitting my 1st lady and will be evenly displaced between the 3 grow shelf CPU's and elevated up through the plant ready for my reflector/out-take to remove both heat & smell from my grow room

I will add a diagram in a mo! that way it will still be clear in my mind what to do after I have harvested and had a celibrational smoke



I also plan to add a couple of 125W ENVIROLITE CFL side lights - STELTHY

mm did u consider the space your going to loose in the cab? or are you fine with that. u could alwys just extend it down and cut a new hole below the shelf and then close up the old hole...but then tht involves extending the lenght of gutter//pipe on the outside of the cab...i like the idea either way

JeSt3r said:

mm did u consider the space your going to loose in the cab? or are you fine with that. u could alwys just extend it down and cut a new hole below the shelf and then close up the old hole...but then tht involves extending the lenght of gutter//pipe on the outside of the cab...i like the idea either way

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Yeah I did think about that Cutting a new hole and relocating the intake + Odor Soc sounds alot easier I don't know why I didn't think of that myself lol, My mate came up with another good idea.. I could use a 6" bore venting damper and just re-direct the air-flow from its current position to hit the back of the cab 1st just by angling the damper door.

My mate said he would get one for me and I could test it in case this method is an easier option... I kinda hope it is cos loosing grow space sucks! And I kinda like my intake where it is because I can fit my Aluminium bulb case down the side of the cab too - STELTHY

[video=youtube;LaJQsxZD-G4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaJQsxZD-G4[/video]

I dont usually like putting random stuff up on my thread but a mate phoned me expecially to tell me about his video he found on-line, I mean I've rolled some fatties before but hot-damn check out these crazy Mo-Fo's !!! I reckon there's gotta be at least a 'Q' left when he chips it out at the end lol a bit spicy lol..

Hope you enjoy the vid - STELTHY

Its not much to add really, But I bought a green neon (meant for a car interior) and I hacked it with an AC converter/Transformer and fixed it inside my ballast section, and then wired it to a timer...set to the same 18/6 time setting as my light and fans..Not only does it look cool but its also an easy way of telling when the lights are on/off without looking at the time I'll include pics on Mondays update - STELTHY

holy shit that was a huge joint... wish i had some smoke right now ><

JeSt3r said:

holy shit that was a huge joint... wish i had some smoke right now ><

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It was huge eh !!! I wish I had some to been all out for a while now, I really fancy some chocolate hash now! I had some in 'The Grass Hopper' in Amsterdam it was such a nice smoke - STELTHY

mm that does sound good.. germed some seeds and dropped them into party cups... not much happening.. idk old bag seed prolly wont pop... might have to find summore

Tommorrow is 'UPDATE DAY'..... I am unsure of whether I should change to 12/12 yet, I mean the Great White Shark has caught up with the Strawberry Thai as expected and my 3rd little contestant has 3 sets of leaves.. I am in 2 minds, I only just topped.. so I could wait another week. I'll upload new pics tommorrow, please voice your thoughts - STELTHY

if you say the GWS caught up then it might be a good time to flower. i personally dont like to make the switch until a good week or so after topping a plant just to ensure it gets strong branches instead of thin stretchy ones. ill have to wait and see the pics for my final opinion on that one stelthy! im sure theyre looking good.

I have also bought some Canna Magnesium (Waiting for it to arrive) since I am pretty sure this is what my Strawberry Thai needs to revive her from vivid lime green leaves and dark green veins, red stems and the occasional papery brown leaf problem. Fingers crossed anyhow not long till my update now..

Does anyone put the ladies into 2 days of darkness before flipping to 12/12 or do people tend to go straight from 18/6 to 12/12 ?

Great answers = Great REP - STELTHY

i make a straight switch because my room is perpetual and i start from clones. that being said, the extended darkness between seems to help seed plants show sex earlier.

stelthy said:

Does anyone put the ladies into 2 days of darkness before flipping to 12/12 or do people tend to go straight from 18/6 to 12/12 ?

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I gave about 24 hours of dark once and they showed sex within 3 days. But one hermied. It was bagseed, so maybe it was hermie either way. I hear that you may stress them by doing the long dark period, but it does work. 2 days might be a bit much, though.

jsgamber said:

I'm actually in the process of re-wiring up my magnetic ballasts, one 250w MH and one 400w HPS/CMH. I'm using a ballast kit, sheet metal and a 120mm fan to fashion my own ballast case. I also plan on wiring up a male 3-way plug to each of my mogul sockets and a female plug coming out of the ballast case. This way I can easily change out wattages.

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Here's the link to the whole story but this is what I just finished building for my 400w Mag Ballast. The air from the fan runs cool and I can now touch the core without frying my fingers!
==> Discussion on Air Temps and Water Temps <===

jsgamber said:

Hey Stelthy! I love coming in and looking at your cab. I keep meaning to give you a trick for your Mylar. I was hanging my 2nd and 3rd chambers and remembered to take a pic of what I use. No staples, nails or anything sharp. You can lift and retack it down and when it's where you want, use a damp sponge to smooth everything out from the center out...just like wallpaper but WAY easier. If you want it out, just lift a corner and pull it out and it's gone, no pulling staples or nails.

I'm not nearly as anal as you when it comes to wrinkles in my Mylar but I do know you can't come closer to perfection than this.


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Only thing I didn't like about this stuff is that it wears out after a couple of grows. I don't know if it's from the heat of the lights, or just me cleaning down the Mylar.