digital ballasts ?

[allhailthebud]

i cant seem to find hardly any info on digital ballasts..

 

whats so good about them ? they save energy ?

[nitram]

Bull shit you have looked allhailthebud

 

Lamp compatibility

 

The Lumatek ballast is a high performance product that is designed to work with most high quality lamps. Cheap inferior lamps may cause problems and Lumatek recommends only high quality American or European lamps. One or two good lamps with very high strike voltages may also be difficult for any electronic ballast to light; Lumatek has an adaptor available for those lamps. For specific recommendations contact your local supplier or Lumatek directly.

 

Lamp Replacement

 

Be sure to disconnect the power source before changing lamps. Always use the specified wattage of lamp. (A 400W lamp should not be used in 600W ballast). Lumatek recommends lamp replacement every 6-12 months.

 

Hot Re-strike

 

It is VERY important that the lamp is given adequate time to cool down before it is reignited. You should allow a hot lamp to cool for 20-30 minutes before you try to re-strike it. Hot re-strikes causes premature lamp failure and lumen output degradation. Additionally, the lamp should never be turned off before the lamp reaches full intensity.

 

R.F emissions

 

Lumatek ballasts are now internally RF shielded and can be used with standard System Cord sets as available in each country worldwide. Our ballasts produce the least amount of EMI (electro- magnetic interference) of any electronic ballast and conform to all international Electro-magnetic emission standards. This applies to all blue and purple models of the Lumatek.

 

Super-lumen switch

 

In some territories the latest Lumatek ballast include the industry first “super lumen switch”. This feature will boost lumen output by 10% when the switch is activated. This allows unprecedented control of lumen output during ballast use. This feature is for HPS lamps only. With the switch in position "0" use M.H or H.P.S lamps. With the switch in position "1" use H.P.S only

 

H.P.S/M.H

 

Lumatek ballasts operate both metal halide and high pressure sodium lamps. They will not light MV mercury vapor lamps which are commonly sold in hardware and some hydroponics stores.

*Please note the 750 watt ballast is HPS only.

 

Mounting Location

 

Do not install ballasts in areas of very high heat such as an attic or a closed closet. Do not mount the ballast to the reflector or blow exhaust air over them. Do not stack ballast on top of each other. Do not allow contact with water. Mount units at least six inches apart. If a unit has any leaking resin please relocate to a cooler area or place a fan near the ballasts.

 

Key Specifications/Special Features:

 

 

 

* Electronic ballast for 400W HPS or MH lamp

 

* Voltage: 230V 50/60Hz

 

* Current: 1.8A

 

* Input Power: 415W

 

* Output power: 400W

 

* Power factor: >0.99

 

* Voltage range: 165 to 265V

 

* THD: <8%

 

* Lamp CCF: <1.7

 

* Operating frequency: high frequency

 

* No audible noise, no flicker

 

* Environment temperature: -25 to 50 °C (-13 to 122 °F)

 

* Enclosure temperature rise: t 25 °C (77 °F)

 

* Environment IP require: >IP23

 

It's all there.

 

As far as experience, I have been using a E-Ballast for 2 months now and i am not expecting to replace it for minimum 3-5 yrs.

 

Stealth in therms of noise is quiet as it is not there - smaller and lighter too.

 

My PC (fan) is located in the same room as my GR. Fan + ballast on is quieter than the PC running

Nitty.

[Frazz]

I have been using a E-Ballast for 2 months now and i am not expecting to replace it for minimum 3-5 yrs.

thats good nitty , i havent replaced my old JB ballasts in about 10 yrs and they are still quieter than a mouse farting

 

seriously the only difference i can see is;

1. the 'super lumen switch' ..

2. digital ballasts are lighter (in weight) ..

3. globes may last 10-20% longer with digital ballast ?..

 

iam no expert on this subject i just heard these reports 2nd hand from growers / distributors

 

Hey i just found this article on Wiki regarding ballasts its worth a look

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_ballast

 

[420 HELI]

This might help.

 

Why are digital ballasts better?

 

Why a digi is superior.

 

That said though, i run a magnetic ballast

 

I shall wait until digital bulbs are readily available before i consider a switch over.

 

[falconcobra]

Im kinda confused in regards to forum etiquette, is this my place to give personal opinions swayed by my own preferences/gripes (running the risk of becoming that my way or the hi-way 'know-it-all troll') or should i just keep it textbook qoutes in reply to someones question. And does someone need personal experience b4 they can comment?

 

Moral Disclaimer:My opinion comes from my biased unfounded views, zero experience using an e-ballast, a few hours of reading up and the opinions of others(that share my opinion )

 

To get to the point i dont like them, they cost a considerable amount more money and they seem to subsist on "claims"! claims claims claims!

They save elec but not enough for me to care about. Super lumen switch? woopty fuckin doo, i have more to worry about then micro managing the output on my ballasts. They are quiet but who cares when my centri fan sounds like the 5:47 to Central.

Being lighter in weight seems a notable feature and being interchangable mh/hps would be convenient if u need that.

That said, have no doubt that ill end up owning an e-ballast one day, so go figure.

Reading down this looks like Frazz'z post re-written.

[Frazz]

Im kinda confused in regards to forum etiquette, is this my place to give personal opinions swayed by my own preferences/gripes (running the risk of becoming that my way or the hi-way 'know-it-all troll') or should i just keep it textbook qoutes in reply to someones question. And does someone need personal experience b4 they can comment?

 

Moral Disclaimer:My opinion comes from my biased unfounded views, zero experience using an e-ballast, a few hours of reading up and the opinions of others(that share my opinion )

 

 

Reading down this looks like Frazz'z post re-written.

 

LMFAO ... cool but Im gunna pinch ya Moral Disclaimer its a bloody ripper

 

[nitram]

My information comes researching before saving my $ and giving it away.

 

Among E-ballast virtues

 

An E-ballast will save electricity consumption. Now that's a pretty good incentive! (more for you less for a electrical company.

 

That 'Turbo' button increases the lamination (appox 10-15%) and should only be used in 12/12 ( just the right time-budding) but with the highest quality bulbs you can get(Here) I recall in my research coming across lamination (light meter tests/results & spectrum info) and lots what I needed - a startup system that can calculate the variability of demand, that means monitoring,controlling and adjusting in microseconds to the the varying demands.

 

You see this 140 yr old terrace house (design wise & little renovation/upgrades) didn't have electrical supply to the whole 2 story house in mind hen it was built - there is only 1 electrical outlet in each of the 2 rooms upstairs.

 

My GR room supply comes from an 'upgrade' to a single, now "twin power outlet" in one room. Seriously, it can be a concern. All 20 terraces are joined in a line. The primary material is '100yo dry-ed out timber'.

 

The one line in I have runs a ballast/light/ 200mm exhaust fan + ocolating fan/ computer/another fan & clock radio, and desk light & more like recharger's (rechargeable batteries) & more.

 

Sure, ........ just throw some $ at it. The thing is if $ grew on trees I'd be set. But it don't.

 

As Pot Gowers we have a 'duty of care' and a 'moral responsibility' to not burn down a neighborhood.

 

So another thing that influenced my choice is so 'Old Tom' (OTy) would live another 10-12yrs & make it to 100. I just couldn't bear myself

 

FRAZZ ....LMFAO ... cool but Im gunna pinch ya Moral Disclaimer its a bloody ripper

 

My moral statement is "I won't burn out "Tom"

PS/ I have a portable fire extinguisher just for my GR the Fir Evacuaton plan ison the rear of my cupboard (GR) door.

NK.

[falconcobra]

LMFAO ... cool but Im gunna pinch ya Moral Disclaimer its a bloody ripper

 

Haha feel free Frazz,.. its probably the only original thing ive ever written