self-ballasted mercury vapour

[leafminer]

Has anyone used these types of lamps? I just found some on an auction site and bid $18 for one, it's 450 watts. No external ballast. Would seem ideal for a grow room?

 

[StoneyBud]

From Hydrofarm's webpage:


MERCURY VAPOR LAMPS

The oldest member of the HID family, mercury vapor lamps work by arcing electricity through mercury vapor. While more efficient than incandescent, halogen and fluorescent lamps, mercury vapor lamps have the least efficient lumen-to-watt ratio of the entire HID family. This, combined with an improper color spectrum for horticultural applications, makes mercury vapor lamps a poor choice for a grow light.

***

 

[Mutt]

The heat output is ridiculous as well

 

[leafminer]

Oh dear . . .
Suppose I supplement the spectrum using one or both of my HPS 150's?

 

[The Hemp Goddess]

Oh dear . . .
Suppose I supplement the spectrum using one or both of my HPS 150's?

No, mercury vapor are yard lights. Do not use them in your grow room. They create heat without giving the plant any usable light spectrum--same goes for halogen lights.