400w hps magnetic v digital

[raider2]

hi all can someone advise if my old old 400w hps magnetic ballast would work as good as a 400w digital ????? 400w magnetic a bit dim and a bit of buzzing

 

.I changed to new bulb but not happy with brightness -

 

do old ballast lose there bang after a few years

 

any help would be great

[Naycha]

Digital is definitely better.

 

Naycha

[raider2]

anyone suggest a reliable brand ??? lumatek any good

[Naycha]

Solis Tek

[El Gato]

Yep Solis Tek

[judgefudge1]

lumatek not to bad?

[wietlover]

I have a lumatek digital ballast. They are well recommended.

:bongon:

Edited November 4, 2012 by wietlover

[Tracybee]

Old magnetic ones do deteriorate. The auto transformer wires go hi resistance. The big cap(s). dries out with more a/c resistance added, in the way of increased reactance.

These things can allow less power through to the bulb and cause extra heating of failing components

 

Digital ones have many great factors including the ability to switch-on as the A/C sine wave begins to rise from zero.

Magnetic ones can switch on at random times including when the A/C is at the top of the sinewave ! This causes lowere bulb life.

Also dimming is available with many digital ballasts. This can be a boon for both growing and for saving a bit of power.

[raider2]

thanks folks i got a lumatek 400/250 and its works great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Faith]

thanks folks i got a lumatek 400/250 and its works great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

...mine came the other day....nice bit of equipment for the $ I reckon. Peace raider2. v