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Need advice on choosing a ballast
- Thread starter DeJa
- Start date
keico
Member
Just my advice
Just my advice
If its money you want to save I would get a ballast kit from Ebay for the 600 Watt HPS http://cgi.ebay.com/600-watt-HPS-Gr...0?hash=item29ee66904a&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
Now me personally I have used High Bay fixtures because they are cheaper and have proven themselves to be very reliable. I utilized a 400 metal halide high bay fixture off of ebay. Only cost me 20 dollares and the S/H was twenty also.
You have to do a little modification so that you can get the light vertical, but it was worth the effort. depending on how you plan on growing you may not even have to do this, but like I said I it all depends on your setup.
I also have a 400 watt HPS high bay fixture, off of ebay same price.
I invested in a cool tube, and my plants are loving it. Anyway I am here to help so if you have any more questions feel free to ask
Just my advice
I will be running 600super hps/400 superblue MH
what ballast(s) would be best for this
my original idea was just two lumateks
any advice greatly appreciated
If its money you want to save I would get a ballast kit from Ebay for the 600 Watt HPS http://cgi.ebay.com/600-watt-HPS-Gr...0?hash=item29ee66904a&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
Now me personally I have used High Bay fixtures because they are cheaper and have proven themselves to be very reliable. I utilized a 400 metal halide high bay fixture off of ebay. Only cost me 20 dollares and the S/H was twenty also.
You have to do a little modification so that you can get the light vertical, but it was worth the effort. depending on how you plan on growing you may not even have to do this, but like I said I it all depends on your setup.
I also have a 400 watt HPS high bay fixture, off of ebay same price.
I invested in a cool tube, and my plants are loving it. Anyway I am here to help so if you have any more questions feel free to ask
I would get these if I was you
http://www.plantlightinghydroponics...extgen-90v260v-electronic-ballast-p-2494.html
. electric , fans, fast restarts if necessary, 5 year warranty
and it will run a 400 or 600 watt bulb (great for upgrading)
, 120 or 240 switchable.., universal lamp socket
whats not to like
these are the best 400/600 in my book
use two of these in growzilla and bamo!!!!!!! you will be rockin
http://www.plantlightinghydroponics...extgen-90v260v-electronic-ballast-p-2494.html
. electric , fans, fast restarts if necessary, 5 year warranty
and it will run a 400 or 600 watt bulb (great for upgrading)
, 120 or 240 switchable.., universal lamp socket
whats not to like
these are the best 400/600 in my book
use two of these in growzilla and bamo!!!!!!! you will be rockin
Last edited:
niacinamide
Member
There are quite a few benefits to using electronic ballasts aside from the lower electrical consumption. Perhaps the most advantageous is the extension of bulb life. The lumen output of an HID bulb does not degrade as quickly when running electronic ballasts so you can run longer intervals between relamping. Electronic ballasts also have a gentler start up than magnetic ballasts and also isolate the lamp from line voltage fluctuations, both contributing to longer bulb life.
The lower amounts of heat and silent operation of electronic ballasts are also valued in situations where a low noise profile is needed. Less heat requires less cooling and hence a smaller, quieter fan can be used. The hum of a magnetic ballast can certainly raise someone's curiosity if it is coming from an otherwise benign cabinet.
In regard to electrical consumption, the larger the lamp, the greater power savings you will see compared to magnetic ballasts. For instance, the input power for a Metrolight 400 watt electronic ballast is 426 watts. An Advance 400 watt magnetic ballast requires 462 watts, a 36 watt difference. Dropping down to a 250 ballast, the input power difference between ballast types using the same brands is 16 watts.
In short, the electrical consumption difference isn't enough to offset the increased cost of an electronic ballast. However, the anciliary benefits such as improved lumen maintenance, bulb life, and quieter operation may be worth the price difference to some.
were are not reffering anywhere here to power savings..(who cares.. for the cost of 1/8 will pay for the pwer used in a month)
what we are discussing is that the better ballast cost more for a reason..
a cheap or do it yourself ballast ..
1 is LESS EFFICIENT
2 runs HOTTER
3 bulbs CANNOT be switched out from MH to HPS
4 makes MORE NOISE
5 CANNOT be switched from 120 to 240 down the road
sounds like OP want the best..
Vegan
PS my local hydro shop has a PILE of magnetic ballast's sitting in the corner basically givin em away.all broken
T
TrichyTrichy
Nextgen
Had good experience with galaxy's green 250 watt.
It lights both bulbs, the ballast itself runs relatively much cooler, and people have stated longer bulb life with higher intensity with digitals. I wouldn't be surprised.
My one single worry was about Radio Interference with using a digital, and Galaxy was the only one that I read about where no one had complained about RI - this as others were complaining about competitive Lumatek models.
Hopefully they fixed that problem - no point in growing low profile if you're going to make your neighbor's tv's and radios go crazy so they look for the problem.
It lights both bulbs, the ballast itself runs relatively much cooler, and people have stated longer bulb life with higher intensity with digitals. I wouldn't be surprised.
My one single worry was about Radio Interference with using a digital, and Galaxy was the only one that I read about where no one had complained about RI - this as others were complaining about competitive Lumatek models.
Hopefully they fixed that problem - no point in growing low profile if you're going to make your neighbor's tv's and radios go crazy so they look for the problem.
keico
Member
Digital does not always mean better.
More expensive does not always mean better product.
The part about less expensive on electrical usage is maybe a difference of a few dollars per unit you use.
I have two 400 low bay fixtures MH & HPS, They make no noise what so ever.
If the original poster wants to spend the money then by all means go right ahead.
It is not always necessary to spend a lot of money for these grow light systems.
Anyway just my opinion
E
Eminem
Lets not forget all the threads here of "my digital ballast is broken". People had to wait for replacements, ship theirs off first, etc. Magnetic ballasts are much more reliable than digital ballasts
DeJa
Member
im trying to decide between 2 600/400 nextgens $200+200=400
or 1 400 lumatek and 1 600 lumatek $170+240=410
the only reason i would go with the nextgens is if i want to upgrade to 600 mh later
but i'm only working with a 15 amp room, so i dont know if i will ever be able to do 2x600's :{
T
TrichyTrichy
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DeJa
Member
may i ask why?
EXACTLY -----------but perhaps you might want too eventually ..Ya never know
. I didnt think I would ever need 220 and yet its crossing my mind..
whatever, you cant just post that and leave the thread
T
TrichyTrichy
I answered the question asked. Have a great day
DeJa
Member
I answered the question asked. Have a great day
I don't need answers that have no reasoning behind them.
That's just misinformation...
T
TrichyTrichy
Good. Have a nice day.
