Is it normal for a 315W CMH to run this cool?

[pointer80]

I just purchased a 315w cmh light for my tent and I have it hanging towards the top of the tent, a few hours after hooking it up and turning it on I couldn't hold my hand o top of the shroud but today I put my hand on top of the shroud and it is luke warm. The grow shop said it was probably doing a initial burn off on the bulb. The light seems to be working fine. Is it normal for this light to run that cool? Thanks

 

[bluenoserjoe]

Not sure why it would run hot to start and then run cooler. I just hung six of them and in the first start up they want you to run them for a min. of ten hours. I believe it is a break in period for the ballast Not sure about burn off of the bulb itself. Overall they will run much cooler then either a HP or a MH giving a longer life to the bulb.

 

[pointer80]

Not sure why it would run hot to start and then run cooler. I just hung six of them and in the first start up they want you to run them for a min. of ten hours. I believe it is a break in period for the ballast Not sure about burn off of the bulb itself. Overall they will run much cooler then either a HP or a MH giving a longer life to the bulb.

I guess I overlooked running them for ten hours min. I ran them for around six before the timer shut them off. Seem to be working fine.

 

[pointer80]

I actually read the directions today and it didn't say anything about running for 10 hours strait

 

[Blew Hiller]

I believe it is a break in period for the ballast

Good info...I never knew that but luckily just ran mine for 18 hours when I got it.

I actually read the directions today and it didn't say anything about running for 10 hours strait

I just looked up a "major" CMH brand instructions and they had this (admittedly, I never read my instructions ...I did keep my greasy fingers off the bulb...and I learned that here)
View media item 1662112

 

[pointer80]

Good info...I never knew that but luckily just ran mine for 18 hours when I got it.

I just looked up a "major" CMH brand instructions and they had this (admittedly, I never read my instructions ...I did keep my greasy fingers off the bulb...and I learned that here)
View media item 1662112

I purchased a hydro farm unit and the ballast is built into the lamp. Maybe that's the difference?

 

[bluenoserjoe]

Possible, although the ballasts on these lights are dimmable and only today turned them up to 100% but makes sense it is a break-in period for the bulb itself.

 

[pointer80]

Possible, although the ballasts on these lights are dimmable and only today turned them up to 100% but makes sense it is a break-in period for the bulb itself.

 

[pointer80]

Mine is not dimmable but it says on the light paper work that to get full effect of the light it has to run 100 hours. I think color etc

 

[Bud]

My 315’s run much cooler than my 600 hps, I ever turned down my exaust to acomadate, and I don’t melt the snow off the roof anymore a added bonus. And the light brought down electric bill by 40.00 a month. Compared to my 600 watt.