how to use 250W HPS bulb without ballast

kemjika11 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-16-2006, 05:51 PM

Hello,

i just got my 250W hps bulb recently, and i had also ordered a 15 foot cord for it. i got the cord today, and the bulb fits nicely into it, but the plug is quite different. i think its supposed to be connected into a ballast. i didn't want to spend alot of money, and thats why i didn't get the ballast, but i am wondering how i could just connect my bulb into an outlet with a cord or something. in the meantime, i am stuck and don't know how to use my bulb without buying a ballast. i would really appreciate any input with regards to this type of bulb. would a hardware store have any cord that i could just use and connect directly to power? thanks .

Mr. Muffin · #2 (**permalink**) 06-16-2006, 06:45 PM

nope a ballest doesnt just put power in a light it changes the frequency of the power, its gives power in short bursts....
so u need a ballest

Dr.Doe · #3 (**permalink**) 06-17-2006, 04:06 AM

A ballast is a must, There is no other way!

toastybiz · #4 (**permalink**) 06-17-2006, 06:08 AM

It could be quite dangerous to try to run that bulb without a ballast.

czarr · #5 (**permalink**) 06-17-2006, 09:03 PM

Do you think we use it for fun?

For most the ballast is the most expensive compenent of the grow, if you can't afford one consider cfl's

phaphaphapha · #6 (**permalink**) 06-19-2006, 05:35 AM

u should have used whatever money u wasted on the bulb to buy a decent CFL
research, then spend money hopefully u learned something, good luck next time

BoSelecta75 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-20-2006, 12:11 AM

Wont he need a HPS at somepoint tho? Didnt think u could go all the way to harvest with CFLs

czarr · #8 (**permalink**) 06-20-2006, 04:40 PM

No, you can go through an entire grow with only cfl's.

DataBass · #9 (**permalink**) 06-21-2006, 02:13 AM

The cfl's are a pretty good way to go and maybe you could get 70% back on your hps bulb on eBay. 250 watt setups are pretty comman, someone would buy it.

Harryi61 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 11:24 PM

from the reflector wer u plug the bulb in, a ps3 power lead would fit into tht & connect to the socket not sure if this wud work plz tell me as this is wat i planned on doing

cheesebread · #11 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 11:44 PM

what? researching about something before you start spending $$ is good too.

Acorn327 · #12 (**permalink**) 05-17-2009, 04:55 AM

insidesun.com has some nice grow light systems for pretty cheap. you can get a 250 watt system which includes a bulb, reflector, ballast, and the cords for like 80 bucks.

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#1 (permalink) 06-16-2006, 05:51 PM
kemjika11 primechild Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: global Posts: 25	how to use 250W HPS bulb without ballast Hello, i just got my 250W hps bulb recently, and i had also ordered a 15 foot cord for it. i got the cord today, and the bulb fits nicely into it, but the plug is quite different. i think its supposed to be connected into a ballast. i didn't want to spend alot of money, and thats why i didn't get the ballast, but i am wondering how i could just connect my bulb into an outlet with a cord or something. in the meantime, i am stuck and don't know how to use my bulb without buying a ballast. i would really appreciate any input with regards to this type of bulb. would a hardware store have any cord that i could just use and connect directly to power? thanks .

#2 (permalink) 06-16-2006, 06:45 PM
Mr. Muffin Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 347	nope a ballest doesnt just put power in a light it changes the frequency of the power, its gives power in short bursts.... so u need a ballest

#3 (permalink) 06-17-2006, 04:06 AM
Dr.Doe Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 118	A ballast is a must, There is no other way! __________________ there's no place like OG,there's no place like OG,there's no place like OG......TokeCity will do

#4 (permalink) 06-17-2006, 06:08 AM
toastybiz keep it green Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 6,514	It could be quite dangerous to try to run that bulb without a ballast. __________________ toastybiz Grandpa's grow guide ~ Vokal's grow guide ~ Diagnosing problems ~ Purilite's basic light guide Germination ~ Sid's do's and dont's ~ Buying seeds online head-to-head test Glossary of grow terminology ~ unoit's bubble hash method ~ Another hash method GC Forum Rules ~ NORML: MJ and the law

#5 (permalink) 06-17-2006, 09:03 PM
czarr Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 127	Do you think we use it for fun? For most the ballast is the most expensive compenent of the grow, if you can't afford one consider cfl's

#6 (permalink) 06-19-2006, 05:35 AM
phaphaphapha Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1	research is cheap u should have used whatever money u wasted on the bulb to buy a decent CFL research, then spend money hopefully u learned something, good luck next time

#7 (permalink) 06-20-2006, 12:11 AM
BoSelecta75 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 56	Wont he need a HPS at somepoint tho? Didnt think u could go all the way to harvest with CFLs

#8 (permalink) 06-20-2006, 04:40 PM
czarr Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 127	No, you can go through an entire grow with only cfl's.

#9 (permalink) 06-21-2006, 02:13 AM
DataBass Armon Tanzarian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 145	The cfl's are a pretty good way to go and maybe you could get 70% back on your hps bulb on eBay. 250 watt setups are pretty comman, someone would buy it.

#10 (permalink) 05-16-2009, 11:24 PM
Harryi61 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Leeds Posts: 25 Blog Entries: 1	Re: how to use 250W HPS bulb without ballast from the reflector wer u plug the bulb in, a ps3 power lead would fit into tht & connect to the socket not sure if this wud work plz tell me as this is wat i planned on doing

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

#11 (permalink) 05-16-2009, 11:44 PM
cheesebread measure twice - cut once Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 52	Re: how to use 250W HPS bulb without ballast what? researching about something before you start spending $$ is good too.

#12 (permalink) 05-17-2009, 04:55 AM
Acorn327 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 298	Re: how to use 250W HPS bulb without ballast insidesun.com has some nice grow light systems for pretty cheap. you can get a 250 watt system which includes a bulb, reflector, ballast, and the cords for like 80 bucks.