Why not go with HPS (High Pressure Sodium)

[ewaldm]

I've been offered a high pressure sodium lighting system for free. He couldn't remember because he hadn't used it for a few months, but he thought it was around 400watts. I understand that I'll probably need to buy a different bulb for a better spectrum but are there any obvious handicapps?

Thanks in advance!

Michael

 

[nm354]

I don't know if you will be able to get the spectrum you want and they may run pretty hot. Maybe someone with more experience with these lights will be able to give you some better info.

 

[psimitry]

I was under the impression that MH lighting IS a form of HPS.

Admittedly though I don't know a lot about HPS (other than it's commonly used in growing weed).

 

[itstheantitang]

Metal halide is a type of HID lighting (high intensity discharge).

You see yellow street lights are HPS, blue-white ones are MH.

 

[BeanAnimal]

HPS lamps burn VERY yellow (around 2,200K) and are pretty useless for our purposes. The "yellow" MH bulbs burn around 10,000K.

MH lamps are "not a form" of sodium lights. Instead MH and HPS are both forms of Discharge or Arc lamps. Metal Halides are much closer to Mercury Vapor lights in their operation.

Bean

 

[AZDesertRat]

Most MH and HPS operate at different electrical frequencies and are not interchangable. I think there are a very few that are exceptions but not much in the way of eye pleasing bulbs.

 

[psimitry]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7466874#post7466874 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by itstheantitang
Metal halide is a type of HID lighting (high intensity discharge).

That was where the confusion comes from. Knew I had it confused with something like that.