Lumatek ballasts will get you busted

[Saelin]

wall, cords, warrantee

wall, cords, warrantee

call them and ask about their repair policy, it sounds like something is up with up with the ballast. I'm assuming you haven't tried to plug in a different one b4 to see if its the ground on the outlet you're using, but give that a shot too if you can; electrical issues can pop up in the strangest places

 

[PonicalChillin]

didn't read the whole thread but just wanted to clarify something about the Lumatek colors.

ALL of the new model Lumtek ballasts (both in 120v & 240v) in wattages ranging from 250w - 1000w are PURPLE.

All mention of a Lumatek that is something other then PURPLE is referring to an older model regardless of wattage or voltage.

If you local shop is still selling blue lumateks they must be selling older units. I'd steer clear and ask that they get a purple model in for you.

My local shop claims they have only had 3 Lumateks (purple) come back dead after selling around 300+ units. They've never sold any Lumateks that were not purple however.

 

[Echoes]

^ Seems true to me. Just ordered a 400w Lumatek and it is purple.

 

[bodhiseeds]

it was a sad day. i took back my dope electronic controller and got an old fashion analog one, if you out there lumatech, test your stuff well before you put it out, if you were an automobile company you would be out of buisness. in the back of my sentinal controller manuel in the trouble shooting section section it says if your unit goes haywire its most likely your digital ballasts. how come they seem to know whats going on and the ballasts makers dont???? $$$$$$

 

[Doughboy]

If Lumateck is having RA issues, why not buy Galaxy's digital ballast and be done with it?

 

[SmokeyTheDuck]

I must say, I have 4 600W 120v Lumateks and 1 600w 120v Digital Greenhouse ballast. None of these ballasts (which are all currently in use) cause any interference with my cable TV, cable internet, or wireless internet. My Lumateks are the newer purple models. All hoods are Sun System Cool Sun XLs and EYE Hortilux bulbs.

Each of the guys at my local hydro shop use 600W and 1000W Lumateks, 8-12 ballasts each. They swear by them. They also offer killer deals on them (~$215 for a 600W).

 

[TheBEAK]

didn't read the whole thread but just wanted to clarify something about the Lumatek colors.

ALL of the new model Lumtek ballasts (both in 120v & 240v) in wattages ranging from 250w - 1000w are PURPLE.

All mention of a Lumatek that is something other then PURPLE is referring to an older model regardless of wattage or voltage.

If you local shop is still selling blue lumateks they must be selling older units. I'd steer clear and ask that they get a purple model in for you.

My local shop claims they have only had 3 Lumateks (purple) come back dead after selling around 300+ units. They've never sold any Lumateks that were not purple however.

I just found this...

R.F emissions - Lumatek ballasts are now internally RF shielded and can be used with standard System Cord sets as available in each country worldwide. Our ballasts produce the least amount of EMI (electro- magnetic interference) of any electronic ballast and conform to all international Electro-magnetic emission standards. This applies to all blue and purple models of the Lumatek.

 

[SneakySneaky]

RELAX!!!! ... LOL!! YOUR PARANOID!!!!!

I have the older WORSE "silver" lum's as many as you... they are fine FOR SURE 100yards away... I'd say 100 feet... but to be safe and sleep really well... 100 yards

Mellowww~~~

Peace
BB

same kind i had was the silver ones that screwed up everything. had direct tv and when i was flowering i would have blurry tv for 12 hours. as to the smartass who said it was because i used an extension cord thats y it emitted rf, it wasnt on an extension chord it was plugged directly into a timer on the wall, which is what any ballast thats gonna be used for flowering is gonna have to have done, and i highly doubt the difference between emitting rf and not emitting rf is a chord because even plugged directly into the wall on 24 hours veg i was still getting rf. comcast guy knocked on my door sayn that he picked my house out hte block cause the radio interference was strongest by my house and he checked the entire block, was screweing up all he neighbors wireless internet. hope theyve finally fixed this problem (and to whoever said that the guy knocked cause of the noise of the ballast....digital ballasts are quiet, my tv is louder lol).

I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR THE SILVER MODEL LUMATEKS i lost faith in them after that and refuse to ever purchase from them again, i do hae a galaxy that works like a champ and 6k worth of sunsystem harvest masters that are just as quiet as the galaxy.

 

[EastBayGrower]

thats why i switched to the new phantom ballast

 

[redneck kush]

Those silver ones have long been discontinued and replaced. Old thread.

 

[Yes4Prop215]

are the new purples one ok?? i was about to drop some a couple grand on Lumatek dual 600 watt ballasts...i know the thread is old but this is making me reconsider...

 

[pimpjuice]

are the new purples one ok?? i was about to drop some a couple grand on Lumatek dual 600 watt ballasts...i know the thread is old but this is making me reconsider...

yep. Those dual 600's are great

 

[Beanfish]

3 year old tread... Lol.

I have 2 (purple) Lumatek 600w ballasts, 1st gen and 2nd gen and I have no issues with line noise.

An in-line filter (such as those sold @ Smarthome) may take care of any interference/line noise issues if they occur.

Something like this may help http://www.smarthome.com/4845ACF/15-Amp-Plug-In-Noise-Filter-AF120/p.aspx

 

[Neo 420]

Oh snaps!! I was going to go into detail on the issue with Sentinel controllers used near digital ballasts. Then I realized through the posts its almost 2 years old!! Funny stuff....Carry on!!!

 

[OjoRojo420]

That explains the voices I hear while in the grow room...

Time for a tin foil hat folks!

 

[White-rhino]

I'd like to go test mine, but haven't had an AM radio lying around since nigh on 30 years ago. Damn it!

Will an XM satellite radio work? If so, my generic HTG digital ballast is already tested to be fine.

 

[lid]

are the new purples one ok?? i was about to drop some a couple grand on Lumatek dual 600 watt ballasts...i know the thread is old but this is making me reconsider...

I have a pair of duel 600 watts. Never give me any problems. I run Ushio bulbs.

 

[JackTheGrower]

im using a galaxy and having no issues. But all i ever see anyone talk about on this site for digis is lumatek, glad i went the diff road!

I have the Galaxy Twin 250's and they seem fine.

Anyone else like the Galaxy brand?

 

[joe fresh]

thats why I like future brite

do you mean light-bright

 

[dymaxion]

they do waste bulbs and crap out .... I bought a Quantum 6 ... and its the way better than the other 5 6's (2 of which work now) i got back in the day from lumatek...

however the FCC never came knocking on my door...

btw
Mine are silver and have the Modded cord or whatever... they didnt get me in trouble ... just started killing bulbs and crapping out... Not my fav product...not to mention the ones with the three round pin plug set, can arc and start fires... Try Quantum if you are in Oakland at 3rd street hydro... cheap, dimmable and swithable... and cool...