Future Brite Electronic Digital Ballast?

[somoz]

Hey everybody: About to pick up some new gear and have been looking things over. I would like to go digital but I've heard soo many brutal stories about people's ballast just going out on em. Has anyone used any of the Future Brite digi ballasts out there, and if so how do you feel about em?

thanks for any input.

moz

 

[JackTheGrower]

I don't know but I think the FB isn't digital just electronic.

I could be wrong.

Lumatek is the one I believe with the digital 600's

From the Lumatek page
"Electronic Ballast vs E-Ballast
The Lumatek ballast is an E-ballast, unlike other brands on the market, which are actually electronic ballasts. E-ballasts use a microprocessor similar to a component found in a personal computer. This microprocessor allows the E-ballast to run either halide or sodium lamps, to switch between 50 and 60 hertz, to make adjustments for the type of bulb it is running, and even to compensate for degraded lamps by increasing its output. Electronic ballasts have a constant output and cannot make adjustments or changes. They will light a MH lamp; but quickly cause it to degrade, thus shortening the lamp's lifespan."

Now If I am wrong about FB please correct me.

I'd buy a Digital 1k right now if I could find on.

 

[zoolander]

future brite has a fuse inside that blows out alot i have had many unhappy friends as this can cause many probs in flower those gallaxys are nice imo

 

[JackTheGrower]

future brite has a fuse inside that blows out alot i have had many unhappy friends as this can cause many probs in flower those gallaxys are nice imo

Someone I read said something about Galaxys.. Who makes them?

 

[DeadlyFoez]

I though Electronic and Digital ballasts are the same. Do not confuse electronic with electric.

But this guy on ebay sells digi ballasts from a company named somethign like "Digital Greenhouse" or "Electronic Greenhouse". Apparently those ballasts run at 20khz or something similar and it makes them run more efficiently. He sells many combos with reflectors and hoods. Decently priced and works great. The 400 watt model I got can be run on both 110v and 220v and will run both hps and mh without flicking any switches.

 

[JackTheGrower]

I though Electronic and Digital ballasts are the same. Do not confuse electronic with electric.

But this guy on ebay sells digi ballasts from a company named somethign like "Digital Greenhouse" or "Electronic Greenhouse". Apparently those ballasts run at 20khz or something similar and it makes them run more efficiently. He sells many combos with reflectors and hoods. Decently priced and works great. The 400 watt model I got can be run on both 110v and 220v and will run both hps and mh without flicking any switches.

I understand electronic and digital are different.

I see the ballast and they sell a 1000 watt unit.

Sounds good. 3 year,, hummm...

 

[stealthpackage]

I used a FutureBrite 600W digital ballast for my first grow, which I just chopped today. It worked well for me, not a problem throughout the grow. I've heard, though, that they don't work when powered by a generator for some reason.

 

[clowntown]

What kinda bulb? What kinda environment? Any RF interference or any other type of interference? Do you have broadband Internet connection or VoIP or anything high-frequency? Did it cause any problems? How far away were those wires, if any, from the ballast? How is the fan holding up? Etc, etc, etc?

 

[stealthpackage]

Lots of considerations to take in here... Well, I'm using a Hortilux Super HPS Enhanced Spectrum bulb, noticed no RF interference of any kind, and I do use a broadband internet connection via wireless network. Everything ran smoothly, and the ballast was within 8 feet of my computer, and between 10-20 feet for all of the wires related to my internet connections. None of the other electronics in my house seemed to be affected by the ballast's operation. I also don't claim to be able to compare, as I've never seen a magnetic coil type 600w ballast in action, you're going to have to look up the tests run on these things to get any real numbers. I've heard evidence to prove both that the ballasts were and were not real performers, so I guess this is just one of those things. Hope everyone's well!

 

[FunkBomb]

JackTheGrower - The Galaxy ballast is made by Sunlight Supply..

http://www.sunlightsupply.com/produ...D91D0E0815D5534E090B1066B6FF3&c=22&kys=&pgi=1


-Funk

 

[Smallthyme]

Been enjoying my ballast from HID Hut. Runs a little hotter then expected but it is silent, and noticibly brighter then my last ballast. Price can't be beat and the service was excellent.

 

[PonicalChillin]

I think I'm going to wait until the new lumatek 1000w electronics are released.

I believe they are fanless which is great as one of the biggest causes of failures is those little fans going out on the future brights and the board is toast.
(they may have fixed this issue though by now)


The lumatek's offer the highest warranty in the industry with their 600w fanless electronics. Don't know if their quality can be beat.

I've seen the 1000w Future Brights and do NOT like how the cordset attaches to the ballast. It just plugs in and hangs there..no locking means or anything.


--

Also,

My door is locked using an electromagnetic lock powered by a 12v 300mA adapter which is powered on and off using one of those smart lamp outlets.
Pic of lock - http://img.alibaba.com/photo/50458431/Electromagnetic_Lock.jpg
Pic of controller -
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-PK-AC-MAINS-W...4QQihZ019QQcategoryZ20597QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



Anyone know if this will cause any issues with the 1000w electronic ballasts. I'd hate to drop the dough on these ballasts and have them causes problems with my magnetic lock (if that is even an issue).

Peace,
PC

 

[bartender187]

^^^
Magents and electronics usually dont get along... but i imagine these ppl would have accounted for there ballast to be set near a standard magnetic coil ballast. Call them up and ask, let us know what you find out : )

Ponical- very interstin setup, where did you pickup that magentic lock

The new 600w Lumatek look interesting. Supposed to be redesigned and claim they put out zero RF interference. 5yr standard warranty as well.

 

[PonicalChillin]

Not to stray off topic, but

I picked up that electromagnetic lock on ebay for rougly $70 for the 600lb holding force version.

It is powered by a 12v 300mA adapter I got at radio shack. I plan on plugging the adapter into one of those "smart" plugs which allows you to turn an outlet on and off via a remote control.

Sounds pretty slick.. and just testing this magnetic lock.. the thing isn't going anywhere when power is run to it. Strong as shit. We'll see how it works out. I imagine the best bet would be to hook it to a uninterupted power supply incase of a power outage if your really worried.

My sole purpose of it was because I like that type of shit, and needed a stealth way to lock some old doors (that use a skeleton key) without messing up the door, or making it extremely obvious that I was trying to lock it.

They also make cool ass gizmos that you could incorporate with this lock such as proximity readers n' stuff. You walk up to your electromagnetically locked door and gain instant access, while someone else not carrying the proximity chip is denied.

...anyways.. I'm way off topic.. carry on.

If anyone is interested further I can possibly post pics/diy shortly after the holidays..

peace,
PC

 

[bartender187]

Lots of considerations to take in here... Well, I'm using a Hortilux Super HPS Enhanced Spectrum bulb, noticed no RF interference of any kind, and I do use a broadband internet connection via wireless network. Everything ran smoothly, and the ballast was within 8 feet of my computer, and between 10-20 feet for all of the wires related to my internet connections. None of the other electronics in my house seemed to be affected by the ballast's operation.

the interference would affect AM mid to low band,. try puttin a radio up near your ballast and see if it affects the reception.

 

[clowntown]

PC, wouldn't someone be able to unlock it simply by unplugging the power cord?

 

[PonicalChillin]

clowntown,

Yes.. once power is lost to the magnetic lock it opens. The magnetic lock is mounted however on the inside of the door with no access to it or its power supply.

They could however go to the basement and cut the breaker to the 3rd floor and the lock would unlock, but this could easily be fixed using a uninterupted power supply.

I'm not really worried about it though. I merely wanted this to be able to lock a door and control friends/visitors from wandering to places I dont want them (while using the bathroom or whatever). A simple lock I didn't want as I didn't want to mess up the original doors of the house or have a lock that really "stood out".

Plus..its just damn cool.

Peace,
PC