Ballast
A HID grow light needs a ballast to get started. A ballast is a special type of power supply that regulates current to your light and also provides enough voltage to start your lights.
The ballast is like the running car needed to jump start a dead one and if your ballast is not powerful enough for your bulbs then they will not start due to a lack of voltage.
Types Of HID Bulbs
The type of gas inside of the bulb determines the light color
MH – Metal Halide
- Used for vegetative state
HPS – High Pressure Sodium
- Used during flower
Exhaust
These bulbs burn hot so to control the temperature an exhaust system that incorporates the light’s hood and acts as a housing for the bulb is often used. This allows the bulb’s excess heat to be constantly removed and a stable temperature can be maintained much more easily.