Built my first Ballast (Never had one before.) after studying it up on it in the OverGrow Encyclopedia that I had obtained awhile after the server where taken ofline.
Came a picture of the Ballast, when it was new & the old program file that I used to start growing.
11 Likes
Looks sweet! Are you going to be hooking it up to use for a grow or is this going into your museum? 
3 Likes
I’ve used it several times & it still out performs the other name brand ballasts that I’ve come in possession of over the years.
Every year or so I bring all my equipment out to clean & make sure things are working.
Here’s what it looked like before I put a fan on it. But,with the aluminum base I never had any heating issues so I never used it.
3 Likes
I’m still using a couple of probably 35 yo 400 HPS and a MH similar. Still work great but I got some 600W digi ballasts recently so using one of those now.
Tried and true, made in the USA!
2 Likes
used 400 watt HPS/MH back when I started inside
you could buy 400 watt high bay lights with bulbs for cheap at
any lighting supply house and never get a second look
remote the ballast and use the reflector
all the best
Dequilo
4 Likes
That’s how we had to do it back in the days to stay under the radar.
Kids now of days got it easy.
2 Likes
When I ran my Homemade Ballast with my other 400 W Digital Ballasts you can actually see the light from the digital ones pulsing while the homemade one looked constant.
1 Like
600W HPS was what I’ve always recommended back in the days (Over the 1000W.).
600W+2= 1,200W, they can be placed closer to the canopy,etc.
Now, with the advancement in LED’s I don’t really have an opinion formed on a balanced with less heat dispersion,etc.
4 Likes
Great job with the 400!! Your skills are way better then mine were!! I had about zero skills with electricity, but could not afford, nor willing to have them sent to me.
So like you, I also used the Over Grow threads albeit just about 20 years ago now.
My first attempt was an outdoor, 150 security HPS wall mounted light. I tore it apart, remounted the ballast/capacitor/igniter
We had to make everything back then, hoods, batwings, light kits, CO2 emitters, grow boxes, so much.
The 150 hps was a fine light, but once I added a 70 MH to it, those harvests went way up…in a box grow anyway. This light is also still glowing in a dear friends grow box, and she cycles 2-3 ounces, like clock work with it.
great thread man!
9 Likes
Nowadays, with the advancement of LED’s that’s the way to go (Especially, when it comes to heat & energy savings.).
Quantum Boards if you can afford ‘em.
2 Likes
Who says heats a bad thing? I live in new england . 10 months of the year I need the heat they provide.
I love my 1000w solistek double ended ballast .
4 Likes
Someone who lives in the SubTropics with a GrowTent that gets up to 91 degrees Fahrenheit with only one 400W HPS in a cool tube.
I can’t do 1,000 W, it’s more logical to use 2 600W. Because, you get an extra 200W & can get them closer to the plant’s.
Everyone, has their own way because no one lives in the same place or region.
1 Like
I used to use 600w hids there great . 90,000 lumens compared to a 1000w 150,000 lumens . Easier to bring closer to the plants. I personally found the 1000w penetrate the canopy farther. No I dont have a grow tent. Im in the north east We have 45 days of true summer the rest of the time its warm and mostly cold.
600s are great lights though. I agree.
1 Like
Most definitely does penetrate the Canopy better.
That’s my main problem with L.E.D.’s.
I just got my 1,500 W Dynamic Board installed. But, my 400W HPS seemed to penetrate way better than I he L.E.D.’s as soon as my sensor passes the canopy it drops right down.
1 Like
I’m with you on the heat needed, and I also have a 1000 watt solistek in use. 