Lighting Debate

[mistakeith1]

I thought I had my mind made up...but I'm thinking deeply into this next grow and seemed to be questioning this again.

CFLs or HPS?

All I'm questioning is power usage...not using too much but overloading my breaker with the way I'm running my closet. (this is why I havent ordered my HPS light yet)

My space is a little less than 4 square feet with a usable height of about 4 feet.

On my first grow I used:
2x soft white 42 watt CFL's (2700 lumens each)
2x 27 watt CFL's (1300 lumens each)
2x 20 watt CFL (1200 lumens)

Which is 178 watts total. If I got a 150 watt HPS I should be okay with power being relatively similar....I think.

Let me know some opinions on this situation. I can't decide for myself...

Also about the HPS...it has the ballast, can that be put anywhere? How hot does it get?

Thanks for the help my fellow 420's!

 

[Dr. 215]

There is never a clear answer to this but here is what i think:
CFL's are nice for 1)budget 2)efficiency 3)heat
HPS are nice for 1) intensity 2) quality 3) tight buds

but i'm sure you know that.
In terms of the ballast i would keep it on a shelf above the light itself, making sure not to expose it to any water. Or even better keep it in a separate room entirely. Hope this helps im a bit too medicated to concentrate on the post. Peace m8.

 

[mistakeith1]

Thanks for the info

I have a shelf at the very top of my space I can squeeze the ballast in.

On the efficiency...how much more inefficient will a 150 watt HPS be compared to 178 watts of CFLS?

Just wonderin on the difference between....

 

[mistakeith1]

Any more opinions?

 

[McBudz]

Ballast get quite hot. Keep them out of enclosed places and away from your plants to help manage the grow area heat.

 

[sbhydro]

With a HPS lamp vs. CFL's of the same total watts used, you get twice the light or lumens using HPS lamps. Heat can be a factor in a small space, CFL's can be placed closer to plants.