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LumperDawgz · #10 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 05:40 PM

Skeeter

I've used the P.L. Light Systems, Inc. products for 21 years. You're right - the original lights (developed in 1975 in conjunction with the Hortilux Schréder Company in Germany) were a single unit, i.e. the ballast & the reflector are all one unit. This type of configuration is still manufactured today. Your PL 90N is now the PL 2000

The one that you are considering has a 'plastic' cover on the ballast, correct? And there are 3 different reflectors that were available at that time though today there are about 6 I believe. These units are designed to work in greenhouses around the world to extend the daylight period in areas where you have very short days in the fall and winter months - like Holland for example.

It was Hortilux Schréder who developed their reflectors that are still used today. They reflectors are made from 99.9% pure aluminum which maximizes the reflecting capability of the hoods. They were doing a patented anodized-treatment to the hoods over 30 years ago. I smiled when I saw some of the grow store reflectors in the late 1990's advertising that they had discovered the mysteries and benefits of anodizing the inside of the reflector. How innovative! Breathtaking for the implications for indoor gardeners, eh?

For many, many years, the 400 watt HPS was the only product that they produced. They finally added 600 watt HPS in the mid-90's and later a 1000 watt system. Eventually they even added some MH systems to the mix to satisfy the long-held urban myth that MH is a better way to veg than full-spectrum bulbs developed by Hortilux & Philips.

RE: Philips Son-T Argo 430 watt HPS full(er) spectrum bulbs

These are very fine bulbs. Hortilux offers a model as well and I would 'surmise' that they're probably both made at the same factory knowing how tight the P.L./Hortilux/Philips relationship is.

Another bulb that I would suggest you take a look at is also from Philips Horticultural Lighting - Philips SON-T Master GreenPower Lamp

Lots of reasons why but the main one is that Philips has learned a lot about horticultural lighting since the release of the 430 watt bulb 20+ years back. This new bulb is a huge hit in Europe but hasn't gained a lot of traction with the grow store industry. The 400 watt bulb runs about $53.00 and the 600 watt is about $90.00 so they're about in the middle of the so-called 'premium bulbs'

Bottom line is that you can't go wrong with P.L. Light Systems' products. They were designed for industrial installations for long-term use and not for the grow store industry. They cost 2x what the 'latest and bestest' ballasts from 'Stuff I Growed' but I have 2 units that have been working flawlessly for 20 years.

Try that with a SunSystems ballast and see how that works out, eh?

Best wishes with your purchase and garden plans.

HTH

LumperDawgz

#10 (permalink) 02-10-2009, 05:40 PM
LumperDawgz On the road to find out.. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: PNW Posts: 241	P.L. Lights Skeeter I've used the P.L. Light Systems, Inc. products for 21 years. You're right - the original lights (developed in 1975 in conjunction with the Hortilux Schréder Company in Germany) were a single unit, i.e. the ballast & the reflector are all one unit. This type of configuration is still manufactured today. Your PL 90N is now the PL 2000 The one that you are considering has a 'plastic' cover on the ballast, correct? And there are 3 different reflectors that were available at that time though today there are about 6 I believe. These units are designed to work in greenhouses around the world to extend the daylight period in areas where you have very short days in the fall and winter months - like Holland for example. It was Hortilux Schréder who developed their reflectors that are still used today. They reflectors are made from 99.9% pure aluminum which maximizes the reflecting capability of the hoods. They were doing a patented anodized-treatment to the hoods over 30 years ago. I smiled when I saw some of the grow store reflectors in the late 1990's advertising that they had discovered the mysteries and benefits of anodizing the inside of the reflector. How innovative! Breathtaking for the implications for indoor gardeners, eh? For many, many years, the 400 watt HPS was the only product that they produced. They finally added 600 watt HPS in the mid-90's and later a 1000 watt system. Eventually they even added some MH systems to the mix to satisfy the long-held urban myth that MH is a better way to veg than full-spectrum bulbs developed by Hortilux & Philips. RE: Philips Son-T Argo 430 watt HPS full(er) spectrum bulbs These are very fine bulbs. Hortilux offers a model as well and I would 'surmise' that they're probably both made at the same factory knowing how tight the P.L./Hortilux/Philips relationship is. Another bulb that I would suggest you take a look at is also from Philips Horticultural Lighting - Philips SON-T Master GreenPower Lamp Lots of reasons why but the main one is that Philips has learned a lot about horticultural lighting since the release of the 430 watt bulb 20+ years back. This new bulb is a huge hit in Europe but hasn't gained a lot of traction with the grow store industry. The 400 watt bulb runs about $53.00 and the 600 watt is about $90.00 so they're about in the middle of the so-called 'premium bulbs' Bottom line is that you can't go wrong with P.L. Light Systems' products. They were designed for industrial installations for long-term use and not for the grow store industry. They cost 2x what the 'latest and bestest' ballasts from 'Stuff I Growed' but I have 2 units that have been working flawlessly for 20 years. Try that with a SunSystems ballast and see how that works out, eh? Best wishes with your purchase and garden plans. HTH LumperDawgz __________________ "The answer is never the answer. What's really interesting is the mystery. If you seek the mystery instead of the answer, you'll always be seeking. I've never seen anybody really find the answer -- they think they have, so they stop thinking. But the job is to seek mystery, evoke mystery, plant a garden in which strange plants grow and mysteries bloom. The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer." - Ken Kesey Last edited by LumperDawgz; 02-10-2009 at 05:49 PM.