[NuffDaddy]

Right now I'm running 4 150w HPS lights. Planning on getting either 4 more 150w HPS or 2 400w HPS. Any suggestions?? I like my 150s but from what I hear the 400s cover a huge amount of water.

 

[mattman]

From what I have gathered go with the 400's for sure. I personally would mount them up front and have the 150's on the sides. But that's just me

 

[NuffDaddy]

From what I have gathered go with the 400's for sure. I personally would mount them up front and have the 150's on the sides. But that's just me

That's what I'm thinking too. Gonna mess around with placement after I get them set up. Thinking 2 150s front, then a 400s in each corner, then the last 2 150s on the sides. Will depend on how well the 400s will cover.

 

[mattman]

I'm sure they will cover quite a bit of water. I guess it depends on if your shooting shore lines or open water too. I know those 400's are big so you may have to make sure you got room. I think if I was doing it I would put then on the corners because I shoot mostly shore lines but if I was to shoot a lot of open water I would have them up front

 

[NuffDaddy]

I'm mostly all open water, but I'm thinking on the comers they should cover a good chunk around the front as well as down each side. Then just use the 150s as fillers in the dark spots. Most the fish get spooked and swim around the sides instead of straight out front, so I think the extra range out the sides will put more more fish in sight.
This is also a 1648 Jon boat, so there isn't a lot of range to cover. But I'll just play around with it and see where they cover best.

 

[NuffDaddy]

I know the 400s on the airboats I saw at the last tourney I was at shined almost 2x further than my 150s.

 

[mattman]

Dang. You plan on paint the insides white? I wanna see how it comes out. I was thinking if swapping to 400's myself. But there almost too big. I'm thinking 8 150's. Maybe a couple 500 halos as well. To bad school cost so much.

 

[NuffDaddy]

Dang. You plan on paint the insides white? I wanna see how it comes out. I was thinking if swapping to 400's myself. But there almost too big. I'm thinking 8 150's. Maybe a couple 500 halos as well. To bad school cost so much.

That's my plan. From what I've heard the difference from polished to white is amazing. I'm doing a ballast box so I can keep the bulk of the light in the back of the boat. Already did that with the 150s and it is nice having small lights up front with the ballast in the back. I set up my 150s for $45/light. If you want some pointers shoot me a PM. I figure I should be able to set up the 400s for around $90/light.

 

[NuffDaddy]

I'll never go back to halos. Hated always messing with bulbs and getting marginal lighting while bogging the genny down.

 

[mattman]

thanks man, as of right now doesnt look like i will be getting any lights for at least 2 years. But we will see. I gotta paint my halos white. Maybe i will paint only one side and see if my friends notice a difference.the science behind it makes since but I just want to see how much of a difference for myself. also halos are so dang cheap its hard to switch

 

[NuffDaddy]

thanks man, as of right now doesnt look like i will be getting any lights for at least 2 years. But we will see. I gotta paint my halos white. Maybe i will paint only one side and see if my friends notice a difference.the science behind it makes since but I just want to see how much of a difference for myself. also halos are so dang cheap its hard to switch

I hear you. Kinda hurts on the initial investment. But when I was using halos I was going through close to a dozen bulbs a summer. They broke when they got hit hard or just plane burned out. Never had a single issue last summer with the HPS. If you ever get the spare change I would recommend getting 4 of them.

 

[fr3db3ar]

LED baby, all the way.

 

[NuffDaddy]

LED baby, all the way.

LEDs aren't for me. I can see their use in some places, but they just doesn't put out the volume of light I like.

 

[garmageddon]

I'd Stick with the 150 HPS, but thats just me, i have a 20ft pontoon with more area to cover and like the directional coverage with multiple vs a couple of big ones, i was running 6-500w halos and transitioning to getting all six replaced. Down here in SC its either HPS, Halo or nothing. Friend of mine had two big HPS lights after swapping from five halos and lost his peripheral light, then tried the LED rig and he couldnt make out anything in murk.

 

[NuffDaddy]

I'd Stick with the 150 HPS, but thats just me, i have a 20ft pontoon with more area to cover and like the directional coverage with multiple vs a couple of big ones, i was running 6-500w halos and transitioning to getting all six replaced. Down here in SC its either HPS, Halo or nothing. Friend of mine had two big HPS lights after swapping from five halos and lost his peripheral light, then tried the LED rig and he couldnt make out anything in murk.

I've kinda changed my mind in that direction now. 150s are a lot easier to rig up than the 400s. and I'll get 4 150s for cheaper than 2 400s.

 

[NuffDaddy]

And we have that same type of water most times. It can be tough to see with HPS most times.