IllusionalFate said:
Its going to cost that much anyways for a system just as good when you factor in the cost of all parts, not just the ballast.
The problem with doing that is I don't know where to find all those pieces. Who is going to sell a cord? Isn't that product-specific? It just doesn't seem feasible taking into account how many items I need to get and not knowing whether or not they are all compatible with each other.
I don't know where you live, but cords are easy to find. Click on that members ebay store, youll need a "Hydrofarm All Systems Cord" That should cost 30-40 bucks. If you find another cord somewhere, you can but a converter for around 10 dollars.
Stores sell the complete systems, because people dont take the time to learn what they actually need. I'll probably sound condecending here, but I'll say it anyway. These are the factors that make up your lighting.
1. A Ballast. it will be 120v or 240v. I dont know much about 240v so I will advise you buy a 120v. It can plug into anything you plug your computer or ipod into. A 240v is the same socket you plug your dryer into. There are benifits, but I dont understand them enough to discuss them. The ballast will contain 1. The ballast, and 2. The cord to plug into said socket.
The ballast is the powerhouse for your light. As with any ballast, you will need a way to connect your ballast to your bulb. Some places sell cords with no sockets, some sell cords with sockets. It doesn't matter. You need a cord and socket that will accomidate your needs. Factor that into the price if need be. Hydrofarm all systems cords are specifically deisnged to fit the lumatek ballast. The reason they sell converters, is that people replace their ballasts. They upgrade. A cord for a magnetic ballast will most likely be around the same price.
2. The reflector is a different story. There are many of them out there. Some are much better than others, but don't feel short changed for buying one separately. You really dont need to in-line cool a 400w bulb. From my personal experience, they just don't create enough heat. Depending on your setup, you should cool it, but its not worth throwing an extra 100-200 bucks into the reflector itself, and then 50 bucks worth of setup to accommodate that reflector.
3. Bulb. Bulbs don't matter. Well, they do matter, but have NO relation to ballast, cord, or reflector. They have different spectrums, and outputs, and you'll pay from 30-120 bucks for a bulb alone. Regardless of your other choices, these are entirely independent. I run a $30 GE MH bulb in my 400w setup, and a $100 Hortilux Eye in my 400w HPS setup.
Light buying is designed to feel overwhelming. That way you spend more money. Let me know a bit more about what you are actually trying to do, and Ill help the best I can. But, switchable ballasts, especially magnetic ones, are worthless when you compare the price of a digital ballast against the electric consumption of magnetics.
If the cord is what you are worried about,
http://cgi.ebay.com/All-System-Cord...ryZ42225QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
25.99 plus 9.95 shipping or
http://cgi.ebay.com/HYDROFARM-All-S...ryZ42225QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
36.93 with FREE shipping.
Or, if you live in a city, you can find one easily at your local hydro shop for around 35 bucks. either way, you end up paying about the same for it. Just make sure you get Cord AND SOCKET.
Piece it together yourself, take some time, do a little research, and youll find you have the best system possible, for the least money. Don't let the sellers intimidate you...
Oh, and feel free to pm me with any questions at all, I won't steer you wrong...
