Fireproof HPS ballast? digital ballast? whut op in da jungle?

[Dhor]

Hi guys..

Ive done growing with CFL's

My new project seems to like a 250w hps instead..

But ive always been one of those paranoid types whos sort of afraid to burn down the house, if ya know? Ive allways feel safe with the CFLs because of low heat..

Ive found 2 products :

the "fireproof" ballast

the digital ballast

Is it worth buying the digital(will be 170$more expensive) - and does it produce much heat too?

thanks for ur time!

 

[FreezerBoy]

The "fireproof" ballast is a crappy shot. It doesn't seem any different than your normal magnetic ballast in a box. Sometimes, premade 250's can be hard to find (400 and up are easy)

If you're handy...
http://www.businesslights.com/hps-ballast-kits-c-190.html
http://californiahydro.stores.yahoo.net/ballastbox.html

This would work well with CMH bulbs you can read up on here ...
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=72215

No experiance with digital.

 

[Dhor]

i live in the north of europe so it would be to much cost from shops in the US.. but thanks for ur answer!

need som exp with digital also i think please ..

and thanks

 

[bugbud63]

Dhor,light=heat no matter what type it is ,250 watts of cfl will be just as hot as 250 watts of hps IMO.The only difference is the hps will be more concentated.Plus becase the hps has to be safe; ul listed it will be safer then the cfls IMO.Good Luck & Stay Safe!PS always put the ballast of hps lighting outside the grow room-less heat.

 

[el tocado]

Honestly dude, I had a homemade ballast for awhile but it's:
A. Risky, as they get hot and can cause fires.
B. Usually use more electricity.

I bought a digital ballast (400w) for $180 and my power bill is lower, it runs WAY cooler and is silent. It's worth it ;D

 

[Guest]

i would stay away from digital ballasts just for the radio waves they put out. not secure at all..... even if they claim to be shielded. they do run a lot cooler on the ballast end of things. like BB said, a watt is a watt is a watt as far as bulbs go. nothing is fireproof; just do whatever makes you comfortable.

 

[Guest]

i would stay away from digital ballasts just for the radio waves they put out. not secure at all..... even if they claim to be shielded. they do run a lot cooler on the ballast end of things. like BB said, a watt is a watt is a watt as far as bulbs go. nothing is fireproof; just do whatever makes you comfortable.

Regarding RF interference/emissions your statement sounds all inclusive, that is a blanket statement covering all manufacturers of digital ballasts. Are you absolutely positive that none of them have resolved the issue?

Just curious.

Ty-Stik

 

[Guest]

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.02/quiet.html

 

[CannaDestroyer]

digital ballast

digital ballast

though i can't speak for any other brand my lumatek 600 has been running 24hrs a day for two years with no problems, interference included. by comparison my old 1000w mh magnetic raised temps about 8-10 deg vs the lumatek 600 2-3 degree. there light which is nice if you want to mount them on a wall or to the ceiling, or if you have a bad back. noise and vibration are almost no existant. all and all i think digital ballast are the best technology available to us today, if you can afford it spend the little extra you will gain it back in bud not lost from excess heat.

 

[greekguy]

digital is the way to go, and from what i ve read(and ive read pretty lots) lumatek is the one...

dont go for a 250, get the luma 400 and a phillips sonagro bulb

you ll thank me if you do

 

[donatello22]

I was considering going with the 250 lumatek digital ballast...why do you say no to it...my space is pretty small 1.5'x2.5'x4.5'...will that be sufficient?

 

[kbc2007]

I was considering going with the 250 lumatek digital ballast...why do you say no to it...my space is pretty small 1.5'x2.5'x4.5'...will that be sufficient?

Yes but get the 400.
I started with a magnetic 400 but returned it and got the Lumatek.
I am very happy that I did.
It hangs off the ceiling on bungie cord.
It's more compact, quieter and cooler.
And you can run HPS or MH bulbs.
I'm using a crappy $20 Sylvania bulb right now and things are great.

 

[greenhead]

Yes but get the 400.
I started with a magnetic 400 but returned it and got the Lumatek.
I am very happy that I did.
It hangs off the ceiling on bungie cord.
It's more compact, quieter and cooler.
And you can run HPS or MH bulbs.
I'm using a crappy $20 Sylvania bulb right now and things are great.

You can do all of those same things with a 250. Maybe a 400 is too much for his small space. Instead of a 400, why not just get a 600 ? They're the most efficient out of all of them.

 

[Guest]

Hi,
I was reading this post and thought I may need to say a few words...

Any light needs to be turned off at least 15 minutes a week.

There is a limit on the distance from the ballast to the medium mogul base socket.

All ballast have a code on them that tell you the NOISE rating. There are some ballast designed to be used on the top of a pole or way up in a building out of hearing distance so the manufacturer uses less materials to keep the noise down..

here is a link to some good info...

http://www.advancetransformer.com/resources/literature.jsp

Myself I am a Licensed Master Electrician so I build all my own lights. Never have bought a factory made unit.

Ballast kits are cheap and bulbs are dirt cheap on ebay.

Ventilation, low voltage and cheap wire are usually the cause of problems....HEAT is the enemy.

Most folks run their lights off 120 V circuits...these are usually general purpose type circuits...if you can...use 240 V to feed the ballast. that makes it tough for cheap timers but you can get 240 v timers off ebay cheap and you can also use a relay if you can do the wiring. just have a 120 V timer provide power to a relay....be sure it is 20A or larger...

as long as you are running off 120 chances are there is a voltage drop at the point where you get your power unless it is a known circuit..

Distances from ballast to base are usually 10-15 feet MAX.

Hope this helps someone..

Li'l Abner