How to Fit a Double-Ended HPS Lamp
In this guide, we talk about the key things to bear in mind when you fit a double-ended HPS lamp.
Before you do anything, make sure that the wattage of your ballast matches the wattage of the lamp you are using, or there will be a massively increased risk of causing a fire or damaging equipment.
Always fit your lamps with the power switched off at the mains. This is good practice whenever you're doing electrical work, and it will help to prevent any unfortunate accidents.
Always handle your lamp with a clean, dry cloth to avoid leaving any fingerprints or marks or if possible, use gloves.
At either side of each double-ended lamp, you'll find a length of wire. You'll need to fit the lamp so that these two wires sit in the slots on your reflector. The way that you access these slots varies slightly between each piece of equipment. Gavitas fixtures, for instance, use simple sliders, but others use flaps. Either way, they're really easy to get into.
There is a correct direction to place the lamp in, and you can find this out by looking for something called the 'getter', which is a small, thin piece of metal, usually in the shape of a square. The end with the getter must always sit closest to the ballast.
With everything in place, all you need to do is secure the lamp in place and you're good to go. You can then turn on the power.
Note that, once the lamp is switched on, it runs extremely hot. As with all high-pressure sodium and metal halide bulbs, make sure that nothing touches the lamp, as this may cause severe burns or fires. Administer foliar feeds and pesticides with the power off - any liquid that hits the lamp could cause premature failure or even an explosion.
You should also note that the light your lamp produces will decrease with use over time. One Stop Grow Shop recommends you replace your lamp regularly to maintain garden efficiency. For typical 230v lamps, this will ideally be after each full grow. 400v high frequency lamps will last for a full year before they lose their effectiveness.
