the best ballast?

so I just got done with my first batch and I'm looking to get a new setup. I wanna get the Lumatek 1000 Watt for $299 and was hoping someone could tell me if that is stupid and there is something that is a better bang for buck. any input on this would be appreciated.

Why not get a good mag 1000? That would cost around 180... I have a lumatek 600 I got for cheap and I want to get a mag 1000 just because its cheap. The electric company does not give you a discount because your stuff is efficient.. The difference is barely anything.. Dunno, anyone else got thoughts on this?

well the main reason I thought I'd go with the lumatek was because it said 'More lumens generated per watt of electricity' then any other ballast. I'm not sure...

Thats bullshit i think... It might not degrade over time like a mag ballast but I don't really think there is a diff. Its the bulb right? Both bulbs get 1000 watts and the bulb does its thing, i dunno...

Magnetic ballasts have the greatest longevity(sometimes 20+ years), typically. While electronic and especially digital ballasts offer higher efficiency and claim to maintain the bulb's lumen output for a much longer time.

the greatest ballast available?
well most electronic/digital ballasts are much smaller and do mh/hps without a switch. also they are very quiet and by training a fan on one it can stay cool to the touch.
magnetic type ballasts make noise, and generate loads more heat. there is also the need for conversion bulbs or switches, in some cases.
so really, the best ballasts are electronic ballasts with heatsink cases and no fans. if fans break, sometimes the ballasts break, so just use an additional fan.

I don't think they're good for more than like 3-5 years they start becoming quite inefficient.

my ballast is on my carpet floor it doesn't ever get overheated or make a loud noise (no louder than my fan) and it was cheap for me aswel

oy maybe the heat generated is about the same. I have a magnetic 1000w hps and an electronic 400w mh/hps, so of course I think the 400w generates less. prolly just the wattage difference though.

supposedly nextgens are very good

high end ballasts are a bit more efficient and last longer. they also run a bit cooler so if you have 1 or two lights it makes no difference but when your running 10 lights u might save enough to run 1 more.

just remember sometimes u spend a bit more but u will not have to spend again. Another thing is the cheap ballasts could catch on fire so i recommend electronic ballasts

olosto said:

Thats bullshit i think... It might not degrade over time like a mag ballast but I don't really think there is a diff. Its the bulb right? Both bulbs get 1000 watts and the bulb does its thing, i dunno...

Click to expand...

I have a 400w ballast that without a fan on it you can not touch. Lumen output is all in the bulb, not in the ballast (unless the ballast is dying in which case you'll notice a sharp drop in brightness)

a ballast is an electronic component in a lighting system that controls the amount of current in a circuit. Without it, a grow light would fail to work.Modern digital ballasts limit current flow without wasting electricity also help to extend the lifespan of grow lights.

So Factors to Consider While Buying a Digital Ballast which is measured in Watts / Light output.

Another important factor in hydroponics is heating. A ballast that emits a lot of heat will affect the temperature of your growing environment. Some ballasts may include a fan for cooling, but these are known to have a high failure rate.

A good ballast should also switch off automatically in case of a short circuit.

i recommend digital ballast is best way to use with above advantages.

"So Factors to Consider While Buying a Digital Ballast which is measured in Watts / Light output."

No. Ballasts are rated by power draw per hour. Always have been, always will be. Anyone trying to sell you a ballast saying "20% more lumens" is trying to take you for a sucker. Lumens per watt output is for bulbs and bulbs ONLY, because a ballast itself (unless it explodes) DOESN'T OUTPUT LIGHT.

I hear/see lumatek ballasts every where.. I hear they are the best... Im going with them when I buy more... just my 2cents