Ballasts :: Lumatek vs. Hydrofarm Powerhouse

[TheRedBaron]

I am currently trying to spec out my first grow room.
I read a lot of good things about Lumatek ballasts and that's what I was intent on getting. However, I stopped by a local grow store last night and they had a big sale on Hydrofarm Powerhouse Ballasts. The guy there said that they're one of the best and most reliable ballasts on the market.

I got two of them for $200 each and then the Hydrofarm DA6AC reflectors for $100 each. So, in total, tax and all out the door I got two of the ballasts and two of the reflectors for $600.

The Pros to me:

-- From the price that I've seen, I got a pretty good deal on the ballasts.
--The guy at the shop said that the warranty on these Hydrofarms are the best in the business at 8 years each and that they will actually service and fix them on-site (unless they're toast, and then they have to be sent back to the company).

-- I think that the Electromagnetic ballasts are easier on bulbs than digital.
-- I couldn't price out the equivalent Lumatek setup for less than $1000, so this is a 40% savings

The cons:

-- These aren't digital and they get hotter (not sure how hot). Does anyone know?

Questions:

-- Are these known as very reliable ballasts?
-- Are they just as safe as a Lumatek digital ballast (fire risk, etc)?
-- These are HID so they do HPS and MH as well, right?
-- Was the money savings a good reason to go with these instead of the Lumatek?

 

[ELWOOD73]

I wondering too would be interesting to know ! Btw I'm from Flint and moved to Az in 92' I miss Mi I would kill to go back .My grandma lives on hwy 2 in Naubinway .

 

[TheRedBaron]

I wondering too would be interesting to know ! Btw I'm from Flint and moved to Az in 92' I miss Mi I would kill to go back .My grandma lives on hwy 2 in Naubinway .

I could see Highway 2 from my front window but I'm a ways west of Naubinway, a bit west of Escanaba.

 

[TheRedBaron]

Is there anyone who could list the pros and cons of an Electromagnetic Ballast like the Hydrofarms Powerhouse and a digital ballast like the Lumatek? I'm wondering if I made a good choice in buying the Hydrofarms Powerhouse instead of the Lumatek.

 

[dadio161]

NO , the ballasts do NOT both MH and HPS .
Also , your electric bill might be a little higher.

 

[Rrog]

I went through this whole thought process also. Was looking at the big dependable mags. Ultimately the digitals won out in my mind. The ability to use for MH or HPS is a biggie. There's the dimable feature also with digital, but I haven't been comfortable with that option. But even if the dim feature isn't used (like the new Hortilux ballast) for me, the digitals seem like a better choice.

I also plan to get either the Solis Tek, MicroMole or maybe the new Hortilux. Just my opinion

 

[TheRedBaron]

dadio161, thanks for the reply. I went and looked at the boxes; you're right. They do NOT do Metal Halide; only HPS. I'm going ton be returning these ballasts. I was told by the salesman that these ballasts will do both as this is what we wanted.