Best Ballast?

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Lumatek which i doubt youll agree with esp if yours just blew up
Lol
T4
 
I personally do not believe that there is a "best" ballast. I currently have a no-name 600W digi that outlived my Lumatek. I do have to say, though, that I do like the dimmable ballasts.
 
Hi thg well there is a considered best manufacturer of ballasts and Lumatek are considered market leaders with massive guarantee and nugsack didnt ask what people like.
Lol
T4
 
I doubt the manufactures know which is best, but my dimmable is the snizzle :)
 
Sorry got mixed up its johhnyb whos lumatek blew up and i use 2 x 600w Lumateks and have used other digital ballasts and i dont know if its any better its just when i asked years ago which was best every answer was Digital Lumateks.
Hi Hemperfi do you think they just hope and wish they have gotten it right its all about R and D and this is their blurb.


'Lumatek is the world market leader in professional HID E-Ballasts. You will find our products all over the world. We serve our customers as local as possible. That's why we have divided our operations in a North American branch and a European branch.

Lumatek is the number one supplier of Electronic Ballasts to the hydroponics and horticultural industries worldwide, and is proudly available in at least 15 countries. Lumatek products are sold into government research facilities, major nurseries, top universities and numerous publicly traded companies. This makes the Lumatek range the most proven product in the market, in addition we have the industries best warranty with 5 years covered (3 years full and two years pro-rated).

For Europe we handle all warranty claims and technical support conveniently in your time zone.
Excellence through innovation

Our ballasts are tested by many lamp manufacturers and recommended by many industry specialists. By using the best components we deliver the safest and most reliable product in the market.
Settle for no less than a Lumatek.'
T4
 
when i got my 600w the local shop suggested digi's use a bit less electric but will not last as long as a good old magnetic. how true this is , I have no idea .
 
Time4Plan-B said:
Sorry got mixed up its johhnyb whos lumatek blew up

Easy to do with so many electronic ballasts that fry.

Go magnetic.
 
I've had the same mag ballasts (differing wattages) for over a good 12 years and not one problem.
 
Nvr had one problem...Don't have anything "jerry" rigged or shorts or plugged in so that It'd fry anything, why are u under that misimpression?...
 
They only have a certain shelf life then they burn out and usually combust its nothing to do with dodgy wiring set ups just plain old things dont last forever.
T4
 
I not sure what is best but IMO the Sun System Galaxy switchable is the most versatile. It will cost you more up front but as your grow space evolves it can adapt. It may be just verbage but the Galaxy is a switchable ballast and most of the other brands are dimmable. In other words it is both dimmable and selectable. I have only been doing this for about 3 years and I already have several things setting over in the corner that I have replaced with better stuff. Unfortunately I think that all hobbies are like this.
 
I've never heard of one grower I know personally having their mag ballasts blow up. Lamps, yes, ballasts...never...I've heard of house fires due to bad wiring and overloads due to human error but never a ballast just going critical...they run warm yes, but thats the only drawback in my experience.
 
Hi greeneyes well thats you i have read many times of fires caused through ballasts being old and getting more than warm also know as red hot and igniting so its just that i have heard and read and you have not so its just fine that you believe it will last you forever with no issues so fingers crossed hey.
Lol
T4
 
Time4Plan-B said:
They only have a certain shelf life then they burn out and usually combust its nothing to do with dodgy wiring set ups just plain old things dont last forever.
T4

Really? That is just flat out incorrect and delusional information.:rolleyes:

My old print shop was entirely lit with 400w MH. Never counted, but there were over 30, along with 400w HPS outside as security lights. All used magnetic ballasts.

In close to 22 years there (1985-2007), a grand total of TWO ballasts failed. No fire, no smoke, no combust. Probably just the capacitor, but maintenance just replaced the entire unit. Bulbs lasted about 5 years +-. Lights were on ~18 hrs/day.

The HPS failed more often due to the waterproof housing failing in hurricanes and water getting in the unit.

Do you really think that they would be allowed, or commercial buildings use any sort of lighting that is prone to *combust*?:confused2: :rofl: Fire hazards are generally frowned on where you have a couple hundred tons of paper stored.:holysheep:

Digi's might be the latest, but you sure hear of more problems with them than the proven core and coil. BTW, that big power savings amounts to ~10w on average. Big deal.

Wet
 

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