Dimmable Digital Ballasts

[FullyMeltedDome]

Im thinking about purchasing two 600 wtt HPS/MH switchable Dimmable Digital Ballasts.It comes in a package with a timer,hanging system,Winged hood(i know but i already have good hoods and will add one to this) Digital ballast and a MH and a HPS bulb for $199 each.Ive dealt with switchable MH/HPS Lights before,but never had a dimmable on.Has anyone got experience with these?.I also never really used a digital ballast,so whats the thoughts on these?Its a good deal for a 600 with all the extras..I bring up the price because im wondering how the $199 price compares to other dimmable digital switchable MH/HPS 600 Watt set ups?.Asking around before i purchase..Just wondering before i try out this new set up.I know,when i checked out the pix and it showed the ballast on a 1000 wtt one,you can dim it so its only a 500 wtt or a 750 wtt or a 1000 wtt one or it can bump up to a 1100 wtt.How does that work?How can it put out 1100 wtts in a 1000 wtt set up?Is it because of the digital ballast somehow?Thanks for any replys people.Peace

 

[Ultra Current]

I can only speak for lumateks but they are amazing. I veg with the 600 setting and flower with the 1000 setting. Cant beat that. Only thing that sucks is the RF interference and can make your pH meter go crazy.

 

[FullyMeltedDome]

This is the set up im looking at.Dont know how it compares to others but have read reviews and it seems to be pretty solid.

 

[FullyMeltedDome]

The Virtual Sun VS600WDBD is a 600 Watt Digital Electronic Ballast with dimmable controls for use with 600 Watt Grow Light Systems. It is ideally used with both High Pressure Sodium (HPS) bulbs and Metal Halide (MH) Bulbs. The sturdy housing is designed to keeps internal components safe while dissipating heat and lowering the operating temperature. This is done by its slotted design along with Internal Cooling Fan.///////////// This is from the ad,showing what is said about the dimmable.Any HELPFUL info would be appreciated.Like i said,i have no experience with dimmable ballasts.

 

[redneck shogun]

I would rather of not got the sales pitch personally.

 

[FullyMeltedDome]

LMFAO,relax there big guy,lol.Aint no fuckin sales pitch anywhere,im wondering how it compares and i just copied the damn ad tryin to get help. I Aint got nothin to do with where im buying it,thats why im wondering how the price compares to anything else ! Man,back in 04',those were the Days here.People were here to help eachother out(stil are,probably 95% or higher from all those ive dealt with,but theres always the few that dont know how to act,imo) and even without everyone knowing eachother personnally,it had a kind of Family atomosphere here.(now you can post that you could have done without my poor spelling,lol) .But i am sorry my post or asking for info hurt you and bothered ya so much that you didnt have time to help,but did have the time to be a wiseass,thanks though,good lookin Bro,lol.If ya aint got somethin to add ,keep it movin please! Just keep it movin either way.

 

[TribalSeeds]

I've noticed the bulbs work best when not dimmed. Ill be getting rid of my 1000 and getting another 600

 

[FullyMeltedDome]

I've noticed the bulbs work best when not dimmed. Ill be getting rid of my 1000 and getting another 600

Your getting a 600 dimmable?Im thinking about getting two just to see how they work,but ive read where people say there digis burn out or something and there a pain to get fixed.I have six 600 hps magn runnin right now,but wanna switch soon to 6 of the Digis if the ones im gettin workout.Thanks

 

[TribalSeeds]

Your getting a 600 dimmable?Im thinking about getting two just to see how they work,but ive read where people say there digis burn out or something and there a pain to get fixed.I have six 600 hps magn runnin right now,but wanna switch soon to 6 of the Digis if the ones im gettin workout.Thanks

I have a 600 & 1000 now. I use them side by side on 600. The 1000 isn't putting off the full spectrum while dimmed, so the 600 is working better. I like the 600majority more than the 1000 set to 750. Its too hot set to 1000 for me, but a lot brighter

 

[Hammerhead]

I have been using 600 for a few years now. I would never go back to 1k. My yields are excellent. There are allot of digital vendors. I also use Lumi and have had no issues with them. I did have a 400 that died but it was 6 years old...

 

[FullyMeltedDome]

Thanks Bro.Im gonna grab the two 600s,just hope the brand i get is good.Not sure if 199 is a good price for them,but i think ill try it,and then might go all digi.I wont get the dimmable,i might just go with the 600 digi non dimmable ones.Peace and Stay Safe,DancesWithWeed

 

[Hammerhead]

I have the dimmable 600. I have noticed that Hortilux bulbs dont last long in Lumi dimmable ballasts. I switched bulbs to Osram plantastar

 

[Guest 226076]

i run 5 digitals and have no complaints yet,it has been 2yrs.happy trails.......

 

[Granger2]

Is that ballast made in China? What's the warranty? You can get lumateks at better gro hydro
http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/itemdesc.asp?ic=HLBADILT06360&eq=&Tp=
good luck. -granger

 

[CaStoner]

I recently upgraded my old magnetic's I went with greenhouse dimmable 600watt ballast does 50%,75% and 100% lower settings good for vegging young plants has 5 year warranty.
I won on ebay for $112.50 asked if he will match for another (HTGsupply) ok np.

 

[UNREGISTRD]

Ive been running multiple 1k watt Quantam Digital ballasts With Eye Hortilux bulbs in diff locations for the past 2 years.. I swap the bulbs every 3 cycles. The only issue ive ever had was ONE bulbs inside filament stick broke two weeks before the end of the 3rd cycle..

I run the last 3/4 days of every cycle at 75%(600w) to make the plants think its winter time. An I also veg at 50%(500w) for the first week I dunno how much it helps my plants. Im just mentioning that I DIM the ballasts and bulbs and they work Flawless!

 

[smurfin'herb]

The dimmable feature is cool, but when you dim a bulb like that, it severely decreases its life and its potential output. Straight from the mouth of hortilux.

 

[Hammerhead]

thats probably true hortilux bulbs dont like it.. The plantastars have not had the same issues as Hortilux IME

 

[UNREGISTRD]

The dimmable feature is cool, but when you dim a bulb like that, it severely decreases its life and its potential output. Straight from the mouth of hortilux.

Alot of debate lies there....Ive talked to Reps Personaly and have heard conflicted opinions so What works for one may not always work for another.. Just posting my first hand Experiences...Check out my latest pics...

 

[rangergord]

I just got a lumatek 400 switchable dimmable ballast and to me the dimmable feature of eballasts is one of their greatest features. My closet runs much cooler now, plants are growing better even with less light. I had a mag 400 ballast. The power savings are paying for the upgrade.