Single Ended (SE) Grow Lights
Single ended or SE grow lights have been around for years and are the simplest gas charged lamps that are used. All we mean by a single end is that it is a bulb with a mogul based screw thread on one end. An SE grow light screws into the socket just like the old-fashioned Edison incandescent. SE grow lights are widely favored for a warm, yellow glow suitable for most crops or as greenhouse sunlight supplemental lighting. SE grow lights are simple to install, fairly efficient and provide years of reliable service. Typically a high-pressure sodium bulb (HPS) or metal halide (MH) bulb is used.
What Is The Difference Between Single Ended And Double Ended HPS/MH Grow Lights?
Both double ended grow lights and single-ended grow lights are available in MH (Metal Halide) for the vegetative phase, and HPS (High-Pressure Sodium) for the flowering phase. The main difference between the two types of HID grow lights is how they are mounted in the fixture. Unlike single ended lights where the bulb is spun into a socket and powered on one end, the DE Grow Light use two wires on either end of the bulb that fastens into the sockets of the reflector. The internal arc tube on a double-ended grow light is typically 2in shorter and much thinner than a standard SE tube. This generates much more light intensity and usable light for your plants.
SE Grow Lights Are Great For The Beginner Or Hobbyist
If you have a smaller grow room or just starting out with a small scale hydroponic operation, you’ll benefit from the simplicity of a single-ended HPS grow light. The fixture and ballast are easy to install and use and a grower will be up and running in no time at all. Although all gas charged grow lights produce more heat the SE operate at a cooler temperature and you’ll find venting a small grow room much easier to accomplish and maintain. Another factor to weigh in is that double ended grow lights require them to be mounted 4-5 feet above the plant canopy at all times due to the intensity. Single-ended can be placed much closer to the canopy.
Not sure which light is right for you? We have a few SE and plenty of DE options in our best HPS grow lights review. Read up on it to find which one is right for you.
