Mh And Hps Balast

[Rocketman]

I was just wondering what the diff between MH and HPS balasts are... if any. Also what kind of light socket do i use if I am just getting the ballasts?

[Grow Thread]

HPS ballasts deliver a sudden surge to ignite the lamp, this is not necessary to fire a MH.

 

you will need what is called a mogul socket with either ballast

[THC-Farmer]

The difference between the two is that one operates a MH bulb and the other operates a HPS bulb. The reason for the different ballasts is just as Bubble stated, they have different firing methods to get the bulb fired up.

 

Most of your newer ballasts, be it magnetic or electronic, support both MH and HPS. Most of the newer magnetic ballasts are what's called "Switchable" and it literally means exactly that. You can flip a switch for either MH or HPS. Most, if not all of the electronic/digital ballasts (very few older electronic ballasts have switches) are just plug and play, no switch required.

[Rocketman]

So if I am getting all this correctly... if i have a 1000 watt older magnetic MH ballast... it will not fore a 1000 watt HPS do to the inability to pulse start the HPS? Hmmmm

[reddy]

use it with a MH bulb and get a 1k HPS, go big!! they have those conversion bulbs but i think those are just MH on HPS ballast.