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New Ballasts Vs Old
- Thread starter t33to
- Start date
Used have no warranties. They could fail on day one and then what to you do?
Is that a common thing? I've never heard of that happening yet amongst my gardener friends.
I have just bought some used ballasts, but only because they were SO cheap it doesn't matter if they last months instead of years.
Bulbs are your real cost. If you run good bulbs you'll need to get new ones every year (or just harvest a lot less), and they cost a lot. A new ballast can make your bulbs last 3 years instead of one. With the savings on the bulbs over time you'll end up spending less with a new digital ballast.
I've seen two old ones go out. Then what? I got a new one at local shop and plants seemed fine with just one day of no light.
I've seen two old ones go out. Then what? I got a new one at local shop and plants seemed fine with just one day of no light.
True. I couuld easily just put any light in there to signal to them there is still day time.
S
stonescafe
hope you didnt use ebay the old bill watch that like a hawk man
smalltymer
Member
if your on a tight budget get some used name brand ones and then upgrade when you get some cash flow and then used the old ones as back ups but if you have the cash go ahead and get new now.
J
JackTheGrower
Are the days of a 1k ballast, hood with HPS and MH bulbs plus glass @ ~ 225 gone now?
Edit: I had to look.. I paid $225 plus shipping oh 7 years ago? Man.. LOL!
Been that long with a new 1k for me.. I like the idea of new because I take care of it and worry if it gets too hot and stuff..
http://www.innovativegrowlights.com/ballasts/ballasts_16.htm
Can't complain one bit..
That one is a switchable MH/HPS because I can see the switch in the picture but it lists MH as the type better check..
Edit: I had to look.. I paid $225 plus shipping oh 7 years ago? Man.. LOL!
Been that long with a new 1k for me.. I like the idea of new because I take care of it and worry if it gets too hot and stuff..
http://www.innovativegrowlights.com/ballasts/ballasts_16.htm
Can't complain one bit..
That one is a switchable MH/HPS because I can see the switch in the picture but it lists MH as the type better check..
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hope you didnt use ebay the old bill watch that like a hawk man
No, from a local hydroponic store here in town. They are good fellas. I'm sure they would let me return them if they broke the next day.
I'm really curious about how much "less" you yield dude to old ballast/bulb configs.
GorillaGrower
Member
I don't want to argue or say someone is wrong.. but I just wanted to point out some info to the TS who is looking for answers.
1st Jim is right.. at 50-$120 for a 1000watt bulb in the long run you are spending more on the bulbs than the ballast.
2nd.. I disagree with Jim.. a new ballast isn't necessarily going to save you anything nor is it going to help your bulbs last longer. In FACT
If you bought a new electronic ballast.. chances are your bulbs WILL burn up much faster than with an old magnetic ballast. The electronic manufacturers say they give you more lumen output.. and they just might.. but you also will burn through bulbs FAST. doesnt matter what company and they will shred more than just hortilux bulbs.
3rd unless you live and grow legally.. what's the point of having a warranty? whether it is a new electronic ballast or a new or old magnetic.. they break down and will need repairs.. electronics need to be sent back or swapped out.. while with a magnetic you just can keep a couple extra capacitors and ignitors on hand.. IF the magnetics breakdown.. you can rewire a new cap in in five minutes... while if your waiting on a warranty.. your garden is dark.. for how many days? and the security risk of having to deal with hydro stores. or what about borrowing a car to go to the store.. shipping, gas, your time it all adds up.
my opinion is buy the used ballasts... if they fire up new bulbs fine.. they will prob for a long time. and chances are your bulbs will last longer in them than a brand new electronic. (this is a fact that the ballast companies have recognized since manufactoring them)
hope this helps..
And you can get rebuild kits for them on the net real cheap too.
I agree with GorillaGrower. Buy the second hand ones. Generally ballasts last for many years, some hang in warehouses for 10+ years with no maintenance. The parts that fail in them are the ignitors and the capacitors which are cheap to replace compared to the reactor. Save your money and buy quality globes.
To give you an idea on how often to replace hps globes, a good unit like a GE Lucalux is still rated to put out 95% of its initial light output after 16000hrs. that is around 900 days at 18hrs a day grow time. Sure there are slight benefits to be had if they are replaced sooner but do the sums. Im really fussy, and get globes for free, I leave them for at least four crops. Dont stress, buy them and get growing.
To give you an idea on how often to replace hps globes, a good unit like a GE Lucalux is still rated to put out 95% of its initial light output after 16000hrs. that is around 900 days at 18hrs a day grow time. Sure there are slight benefits to be had if they are replaced sooner but do the sums. Im really fussy, and get globes for free, I leave them for at least four crops. Dont stress, buy them and get growing.
