Digital Ballasts

[northernNSW]

Anyone using these and noticing the huge difference they claim to make-30% more light, 30% less power- 100% more price!!

Or is this clever marketing.....?

[Innocent criminal]

Its is true, but you need to look at how they come to these figures...

 

They give out approx 30% more useable light, mainly due to the lack of stroboscopic effect (flicker) that you get from a magnetic ballast, each pulse in the light is a few milliseconds of low light, so the digi's give a more efficient output. They also claim higher lumens as part of that 30%, that is a lot harder to verify .

The power consumption savings mostly come from a lower resistance in the unit itself, more efficient starting and less losses through heat and vibration.

 

I got a US made 400w unit with mogul and cords for $119 delivered, fires M/H and HPS fine, flicker free, I love it already, will be upgrading the 600's as soon as I have some $$$.

 

[nitram]

Hi northernNSW,

 

 

northernNSW... Anyone using these and noticing the huge difference they claim to make-30% more light, 30% less power- 100% more price!!

Or is this clever marketing.....?

 

Disclosure: I have not got one YET but have them on my shopping wish list. I'm looking at either a 400w or a 600w Lumatek Electronic Ballast. These are top range gear & are the go. My bias disclosed is based on hours of searching, reading, thinking and most importantly on post on grow forms.

 

2 names keep coming up for EB's "Lumatek" & "GALAXY"

 

I am doing some research atm and can share what i have learned. I was specifically looking at the RF electrical interference they were reported as gaiving off when they first came out 2 yrs or so ago.

 

This has been sorted in most if not all current ele.ballasts out in the market today. However, like most products there is a bit of difference between models & males out there.

 

The best (in my opinion) is one of t4he more expensive brands and the one i want - the "Lumatek Electronic Ballasts". They are more cos4tly but in the hydro world you pay for the best. I've looked at many forms and web sites and the features you need to consider includes such additional things like;

 

Important feature that i believe to be correct about there marketing & features:

 

• no humming - no vibration (Completely silent )

 

• No moving parts - produces less heat (on the more expensive models/makes).

 

• Water resistant - sealed from the inside

 

MOST IMPORTANTLY:

 

• No internal fans - ensures reliability - moving parts fail some cheaper elect ballasts are fan cooled - my advice "STAY AWAY" for these fan cooled ones.

 

This last fact tosses you into the top models & costly brand names unfortunately.

 

• Fully interchangeable - ignites both HPS and MH bulbs What one needs interchangeability.

 

• External fuse system protects against power surges - A few fuses reportedly gone on the Galaxy brand ballastsmn - this is ok as you can pick up the fuses to replace when broken.

 

• Rubber feet for underside air circulation - the little heat that is generated needs to be able to escape - make sense to me to have them lifted a few mm.

 

Also make sure you get one that suits your needs. From all reports the energy savings is approximately 10-15% can be relied upon. The extended life of a bulb is another reliable fact. What interested me was the cheaper ones did report fuse figurers , but that is easily overcome by replacement of the fuse.

 

The two points i will say is that;

 

1) moving parts like 'mini-centrifugal fans' are the most probable downfall if you were to choose one with a built in cooling fan. Why would you want one if they supposed to have minimal heat.

I don't know if this reference would violate some rule about posting commercial links and may be removed if t dose. One could always PM me to get the URL's from me.

 

Some sites to checkout:

Sparky boys HERE

A selection of 600's & 400's EB's

 

NB/ american dollars & System Cord Set for them are mostly (sometimes) not included and need to be purchased separately.

 

I have more URL's so if any one would like them PM me. Now i am down to finding a wholesaler in Oz @ a decent price - probably the hard thing. But the last.

Nitty.

[northernNSW]

Hi northernNSW,

 

 

 

 

Disclosure: I have not got one YET but have them on my shopping wish list. I'm looking at either a 400w or a 600w Lumatek Electronic Ballast. These are top range gear & are the go. My bias disclosed is based on hours of searching, reading, thinking and most importantly on post on grow forms.

 

2 names keep coming up for EB's "Lumatek" & "GALAXY"

 

I am doing some research atm and can share what i have learned. I was specifically looking at the RF electrical interference they were reported as gaiving off when they first came out 2 yrs or so ago.

 

This has been sorted in most if not all current ele.ballasts out in the market today. However, like most products there is a bit of difference between models & males out there.

 

The best (in my opinion) is one of t4he more expensive brands and the one i want - the "Lumatek Electronic Ballasts". They are more cos4tly but in the hydro world you pay for the best. I've looked at many forms and web sites and the features you need to consider includes such additional things like;

 

Important feature that i believe to be correct about there marketing & features:

 

• no humming - no vibration (Completely silent )

 

• No moving parts - produces less heat (on the more expensive models/makes).

 

• Water resistant - sealed from the inside

 

MOST IMPORTANTLY:

 

• No internal fans - ensures reliability - moving parts fail some cheaper elect ballasts are fan cooled - my advice "STAY AWAY" for these fan cooled ones.

 

This last fact tosses you into the top models & costly brand names unfortunately.

 

• Fully interchangeable - ignites both HPS and MH bulbs What one needs interchangeability.

 

• External fuse system protects against power surges - A few fuses reportedly gone on the Galaxy brand ballastsmn - this is ok as you can pick up the fuses to replace when broken.

 

• Rubber feet for underside air circulation - the little heat that is generated needs to be able to escape - make sense to me to have them lifted a few mm.

 

Also make sure you get one that suits your needs. From all reports the energy savings is approximately 10-15% can be relied upon. The extended life of a bulb is another reliable fact. What interested me was the cheaper ones did report fuse figurers , but that is easily overcome by replacement of the fuse.

 

The two points i will say is that;

 

1) moving parts like 'mini-centrifugal fans' are the most probable downfall if you were to choose one with a built in cooling fan. Why would you want one if they supposed to have minimal heat.

I don't know if this reference would violate some rule about posting commercial links and may be removed if t dose. One could always PM me to get the URL's from me.

 

Some sites to checkout:

Sparky boys HERE

A selection of 600's & 400's EB's

 

NB/ american dollars & System Cord Set for them are mostly (sometimes) not included and need to be purchased separately.

 

I have more URL's so if any one would like them PM me. Now i am down to finding a wholesaler in Oz @ a decent price - probably the hard thing. But the last.

Nitty.

I,ve noticed on ebay you can get digital ballasts at half the price you would pay at the shops but i,m not to sure on the quality they are.

northern.

[bigawse]

I got one, works a treat.....

[SoliSticS]

I've got an el-cheapo Growlush 600W digital ballast and touch-wood....no problems with it yet. It's cool, quiet and has been reliable through my (single) grow so far.

 

That said, I've gotta agree with Nitty....the Lumatek's are the ducks nuts and if I had the cash or were to expand my system, they'd be getting my money.

[calaman]

my growlush 600 runs fine but its bloody hot! both of em...

[Innocent criminal]

my growlush 600 runs fine but its bloody hot! both of em...

Whats the ambient temp and airflow around them like? they do still need to cool.

[calaman]

I got em hanging outside the room, on the wall,about 25C daytime(outside is 28+). Not much circulation but a bit. Bleedback from the aircon when its running so it goes down to about 23C. They only been on for an hour so they arent too bad yet (40). the old coil and cores run cooler. I'll get back later on when they get real hot

[psychoresin]

have any of yous used retro fit mh to hps ballast globes .

 

are these any good or should a just veg with hps?