Is There A Difference Between 250W Hps And A Dimmed 400W Hps?

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Atmo, Jul 12, 2014.

  1. Just curious about something. I plan on getting a dimmable ballast and a 400w HPS bulb and dimming it to 60% (about 240w) - are there any major pros and cons I should be aware of when dimming a higher wattage HPS bulb? Difference in heat, lumens, etc?
     
    I planned on upgrading my 150w HPS + 2x 125w CFLs for a 250w HPS, but I see that 400w is about the same price, so I figured I would get a dimmable ballast and knock it down to 60% giving me 240w. That way I can always go bigger down the road.
     
    My box is small, only a 1.5' x 2' footprint, going for a small perpetual SoG, but figured a 250w HPS would produce some killer rock-hard buds. Might be able to fit those 125w CFLs in there as well, but probably not. Hoping heat won't be a huge issue, but I am going to upgrade my exhaust fan as well.
     
    Also still sort of debating on this or an LED light.... but finding info for those is incredibly hard amongst all the misinformation and bias out there... Still considering the Mars II 400w, or a couple others out there, maybe with supplemental CFLs.
     
    Anyway thanks guys!

     
  2. #2 IfeltathighTX420, Jul 14, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 14, 2014
    I have a solistek dimmable ballast. The only times I used the 250w setting was when I didn't have the scrotum to vent into my attic. After I grew a pair and made the cut in the drywall, I haven't used it once.
     
    My plants grow right up to the cool tube.. mere inches from the light.. so this concept of to much light.. not an issue with 400w. 
     
    2 by 2 by 6 grow tent if you are curious. Seriously they like mash up against the tube haha.
     
  3. Thanks for the input.
    I'm looking more for info on the difference in heat, lumens and power consumption of a straight 250w bulb and a dimmed 400w down to 250w, if there is any.
     

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