Who Makes the Best Digital Ballast?

MacGuyver4.2.0

MacGuyver4.2.0

Well-Known Member
Title says it all... who do YOU think makes the best? And WHY? Heat, warranty, bulb life and electric use all factors! Let's hear your thoughts on this! ;-)
 
Well I haven't used one yet but I like the new Galaxy Select A Watt, It can use a 400,600, or 1000 watt bulb all on the same ballast so that pretty cool its also dimmable when using a 1000 watt bulb.
http://www.growlightexpress.com/gro...-select-a-watt-400-600-1000-ballast-1062.html
But to tell you the truth I have like 7 ballasts from 250 watts to 1000 watts and they all do there job, I have some that are probably 15+ years old and they still work.
 
Hydrofarm Lumatek ballast. My 400W has been handling my MH 400W and HPS 430W Agrosun Red bulb like nobody's business. No noise whatsover and a small footprint to boot. Plus, it's purple, nuff said.
 
lumateks are the best ive heard, so i bought those.

i have a question for the guys out there tho... im running 600w ballasts... and they have the spot where you can turn down the ballast...

im wondering if i cant run a 400w bulb if i turned it down?

to be specific... a ceramic metal halide bulb ... just for shits to see if it helps much.




... thats interesting that the 1000w ballasts are also 600 and 400w... if id have known that, id have bought those instead :(
 
i answered my own question... i looked it up, and yes they can run a 400 w bulb no prob.

now... my only problem is i think i remember reading ceramic metal halides can only be ran on magnetic ballasts... not digital
 
I've been using 600w future bright ballast the last 3 years and other than sending one back to be fixed they have worked great.
 
i just got word that the new lumatek's can run ceramic metal halides...

and that the 600w dimmable ballast can also run 400w bulbs

if this is the case, then lumatek is the ONLY digital ballast able to run ceramic metal halides.

and they dont have a fan that wears out

hope this makes your decision a no brainer :)
 
bobsgreen said:
My Lumatek 1000w dimable is treating my ladies well so far. It's quiet too..hella rf interference on my cb though.
Click to expand...

I have 2 1000s and ditto, they're treatin me good! Double-Ditto on the interference with my nutrient monitor though. BTW, I was warned not to fiddle with the dimmer knob while the bulb is lit (so I haven't) ... now I'm warning you! ;)
 
GREAT responses so far, folks...keep em coming!

Now, I have a few questions as well regarding bulbs and RF interference. ALOT of horror stories I have read about digital ballasts and bulbs burning out..in no time flat. Doesn't sound like I'll be able to use my EYE Hortilux Super HPS bulbs with ANY digital ballast..correct me if I'm wrong. That is a concern. On a regular (old school) magnetic ballast, they ROCK!

Also, how many of you have a PC in or near your grow? I have a small PC (among other things) that monitors many processes and I'm wondering if the RF from the digis will mess things up. In particular I use wireless devices alot, so these are all things I'm trying to sort out before I go plunk down money for new ballasts.
 
I pick up wifi from upstairs feet away from my cheap digital ballast from High Tech Garden Supply with no problems at all if that gives you an idea of how little it interferes...
 
i run lumatek ballests, my grow is 3 feet from my pc . and no interferance with my pc. i use the eye horti super hps bulbs and dont think ill ever go back to anything else.
 
No interference with my wifi, my computer or my anything in my home theater (which is on the other side of the wall but only 4ft away).

The ONLY intereference I get is on the Nutrient monitor. It doesn't read an accurate ppm, ph OR temp when the ballasts are on.

Oh, and I'm using 2 hps super eye hortilux 1000w with no problems.
 
The only bulbs I burn are EYE Hortilux not sure how long they will last in a digital bast, I change them out every 3 months. so anything longer than that not sure..

I do have an issue with my (cap) Extreme green house controller. My co2 read out is going wacky not sure if my wifi is the issue Its done it before but now it seams like it's just fucked till I send it out to be fixed again.. Anyone else have this type of issue with this controller?
 
Doesn't sound like I'll be able to use my EYE Hortilux Super HPS bulbs with ANY digital ballast..correct me if I'm wrong. That is a concern. On a regular (old school) magnetic ballast, they ROCK!
Click to expand...

There was a older model of the lumatek digi ballast that had issues with those eye hortilux (Couldn't handle the ignition) but they say it has been fixed in the newer versions of the ballast. from what i have read if the ballast is purple than it is the version where that issue has been fixed.
 
Dradden said:
There was a older model of the lumatek digi ballast that had issues with those eye hortilux (Couldn't handle the ignition) but they say it has been fixed in the newer versions of the ballast. from what i have read if the ballast is purple than it is the version where that issue has been fixed.
Click to expand...

This is also true for the interference issue, it was resolved a while ago. All new ones have no issues on any of the forums... These are doing fine with no interference and firing one old EYE Hortilux HPs and 11 EYE Super Blue's.

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