my lumatek review...one thumb down

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SaRaNaC

Active Member
History: I started growing with a galaxy 600w and sold it to get a lumatek 1000w because galaxy are not sold here.

My first lumatek 1000w is good (still use it) so i bought another one. The new one has a 50% 75% 100% and super lumen dial (old one does not have is option), that cause alot of RF noise and my neighbor call the electric company to find issue, which lead to my door. (not a good feeling) so i had to get rid of it. I then bought a 400w lumatek b/c i didn't want the bulk of a coil ballast. I have had two of them go bad in the last 2 years. they lasted about 12 months each. So i ordered a nextgen and just installed it, wish me luck with it.

btw my friend has 6 lumatek 600w and none have gone bad and they are about 1 years old...my luck i guess
 
purplehazin

purplehazin

Well-Known Member
sucks man; Ive heard the older gen digital 600's had a problem; but never heard the 400's have any problems.
 
IGrowSnow

IGrowSnow

Member
Well, I just bought a 600w lumatek digital to replace my 2 old school 400w MH's.. I'm hoping it works well and even if it goes bad within the next 5 years, I don't know about yours, but mine has a warranty. 3 years full + 2 years pro-rated
 
dadio161

dadio161

Well-Known Member
Right now I am using a 400W / 600W switchable by NEXTGEN. I am almost done with my first grow and I am very happy with my ballast. I have it mounted on my wall and it puts off very little heat and it doesn't make any noise at all. In my opinion , money well spent.
 
nubiebud

nubiebud

Active Member
Also running a NEXGEN here.

Was sold on the Lumatek, but the dealer told me he has taken more back in warranty that Nextgen or Phantom.
 
C

Creek

Active Member
I have a few 400watt lumitek with the dimmer switch and a bunch of lumitek 1000's with out the dimmer and I have never had a problem with mine they are all on 24/7 too. I always run mine on 220volt. Seem to run allot cooler that way
 
whodatnation

whodatnation

Well-Known Member
Creek said:
I have a few 400watt lumitek with the dimmer switch and a bunch of lumitek 1000's with out the dimmer and I have never had a problem with mine they are all on 24/7 too. I always run mine on 220volt. Seem to run allot cooler that way
Click to expand...
I just started using 220 and its def a step up.
 
dankasaurusrex

dankasaurusrex

Well-Known Member
agreed. 400/600 switchable Nextgen = best digital ballast on the market. Going on my 3rd grow with this beauty and never had one single problem!
 
Caregivin

Caregivin

Well-Known Member
You have alot of noise when in super lumen mode? My ballast is completely quiet, my air pumps are louder than my lumatek...they carry a warranty if defective. I personally have had nothing but good times with my lumatek.
 
InThEwOoDs

InThEwOoDs

Well-Known Member
I have a Quantum 600 watt digital ballast. Its dimmable and is a little warm to the touch at full power. :joint:
 
S

SaRaNaC

Active Member
Caregivin said:
You have alot of noise when in super lumen mode? My ballast is completely quiet, my air pumps are louder than my lumatek...they carry a warranty if defective. I personally have had nothing but good times with my lumatek.
Click to expand...
No RF noise is like taking over radio stations with static or in my case, neighbor is a hand radio user. (btw who still uses hand radio when we have cell phones...)
 
S

SaRaNaC

Active Member
dadio161 said:
Right now I am using a 400W / 600W switchable by NEXTGEN. I am almost done with my first grow and I am very happy with my ballast. I have it mounted on my wall and it puts off very little heat and it doesn't make any noise at all. In my opinion , money well spent.
Click to expand...
Well the nextgen is been on 18/6 for 2 weeks now and i like it. Lots of options on the ballest, like which volts to run, all different kinds of plugs for different reflectors. Lumatech you have to buy an optional cord to run different kinda of reflectors. I was wondering if the the 2 min delay on refiring the the bulb option works?
 
Caregivin

Caregivin

Well-Known Member
AHH rf frequency interference..cant you buy something at radio shack to filter that out..ie like car stereo! Bummer your neighbor is a dinosuar!
 
redi jedi

redi jedi

Well-Known Member
You can put your ballast in cage made of fine brass mesh...it filters out rf noise created by the ballast. There's a name for these cages but I can't remember at the moment....
 
mouthmeetsoap

mouthmeetsoap

Active Member
Lumateks performance is very very dependent on the manufacturer of the bulb you are using unfortunately. I have a 600 with a Ushio 600 SMH conversoin bulb. I don't think I'd want anything different about it. Lumatek is also very efficient. Straight from Thom at Lumateks mouth on another board:
Hello snowkitty . I'm not sure if this helps you or not but its from Thom at Lumatek . I was considering buying one and asked zzzlumatek which bulbs worked best in their ballasts "As for bulbs,
The wattage makes a difference,
For 400.... any bulb works great
600 - Ushio or plantastar work the best, avoid hortilux
1000 - plantastar, sunmaster or hortilux seem the most reliable
Thanks
Thom"
 
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