Can HPS light be used in any socket like CFL?

Hps lights cannot just go in any socket, they require special sockets and ballasts which can get quite expensive.
They also put off a bit of heat which is why CFL's are more desirable and manageable.

 

Which socket are you talking about? The bulb socket the bulb screws into, or the wall socket you plug the cord in?

 

I wouldnt worry about a helicopter recognizing heat discharge for 1000 watts.

Actually, wasnt thermal imaging of peoples houses to find grow ops considered invasion of privacy?

Amd the price honestly isnt much different, you could get a 250w hps for about the price of the cfl's and power strips they'd require, i realized this after constructing my first box.

And no, it needs a ballast to screw in to.

 

You cannot stick an HPS bulb into a regular socket. It will not physically fit into a regular socket. You need a mogul E39 socket. And it has to be powered by a ballast.

 

Here is what an HPS setup looks like. You got the big ole ballast on the right and the reflective hood with the socket attached on the left. The socket in the hood will have a cord that will plug into the ballast. The ballast will have another cord that will plug into your wall socket.

 

Yea an hps in a tower case will not work. Go with cfls for a micro grow. you can still pull off a decent yield with cfls.

 

[quote name='"WeaveAndWish"']

Oh hey haha.

So that's all it needs, right? And what about the wall socket. It just uses a standard plug in? Also, say I want to start with 2 plants just go get the hang of it but later want to do 4. Can I use a 400 watt HPS for the 2 plants in say a PC tower so that I could later light 4 plants without paying for another light or would that be to much for two plants.

And what kind of box did you make?[/quote]

400w could easily cover 4 plants or more, and its like 5 * 6 * 6 (feet) its basically a room. The structure is done but we have wiring, venting, painting, flex sealing, and lighting to finish up. Probably be done by the weekend and then i'll have an hps ordered and starting of a new grow journal for around 9 plants or more! Less than $350 for everything, including all the wood.

 

You'll probably need one of those power strips with like 6 sockets to connect the bulbs, as you'll need around 6 bulbs, and you can usually get 1 bulb per 2 outlets on a power strip, due to the bulb being too wide if that makes sense. If you check out my grow (last post with pictures in it) that may help you see what i'm talkin about

 

I'd say 2 strips, and decent only had 1 female of 3, its going in the inception room though as soon as its done being made, its in the early stages of flower (pure sativa it takes forever, horrible for a micro grow imo)

On my mp3 player, please excuse grammar and spelling.