New digital ballasts system Question???

[Guest]

Got a 600 Watt 240V Digi on the way from BG. Should have it next week. I'll let you all know how mine fairs...

Be Safe...
DKF

 

[Secret Room]

Mine came in a few days ago. I just took it out of the box yesterday to get an idea how to set it up in the closet. I will start a thread soon as I make more progress with the closet. Trying to figure out how to hangthe light mover, fans,ducting etc. The ballast appears longer than the magnetic ones.

 

[immortal]

great . Im very interested in hearing how reliable these are. I plan on upgrading next time i move. Should be a few years. Sadly all I have now is a 150.

 

[Guest]

I just recently read somewhere that the new digital ballasts can be detected via radio waves.. Is this true?? Thanks

Sati

 

[Guest]

My new ballast has been up and running for almost 3 days now. No problems so far. Very quite almost silent. This one has no fan as I have heard some do...it is warm to the touch but not hot at all. Very light...probably saved me $10 or more in shipping.

Running a 600watt Gavita in a Supersun air cooled hood in a 3'X3.5' chamber. It's freakin' bright in there! Was running a 250MH and 250HPS magnetic previously with great results, so I'm anxious to see how much better this is.

I'll start throwing up pics one of these days...as soon as I am comfortable that I can do it safely. It still scares me just posting!

SATI: Not sure about the radio waves. I do know they do put them out. It's pretty low on my list of "Shit To Worry About Getting Busted For." If I am to the point that Local LEO is using radio wave detection equipment on me, then I fucked up way before the ballast!

Be safe...
DKF

 

[Nuggy]

i wonder what the light intensity is compared to magnetic? someone should go and purchasee a light meter and run the test

 

[vill]

Any updates?

 

[Secret Room]

When I went to the local Hydro Store I made a reference about the digitial ballast, the Lumatek Brand he said that it put out 20% more light than magnetic ballast. I have not plugged mine in yet, waiting for my clones to root and need to put a fan controller on the fan.

 

[Sinfuldreams]

Been eyeballin these too.
Good have the Pioneers telling us about them in use.....Thanks.

Do they let you run Any type of Fixture? Some have weird plugs and stuff.
Any reduction in heat is welcomed as well as Electric savings.

I'm intrested.
Sin

 

[Secret Room]

The cord on my Lumetek had 2 wires to connect to the light it did not show a ground but if you took the wire back more there is a ground. Apparently the digitial ballast only makes use of 2 wires.

 

[vill]

How is the interference with RF waves with those ballasts? I've heard they cause alot of distortion on TVs/Satellites, and if thats true, that might be a major security risk if you live in close proximity to neighbors unless the manufacturing company of the ballasts includes a electrical noise reducer. Neighbors complain, satellite, etc... company comes and checks it out.

Maybe some tinfoil around the box with the ballasts inside would solve alot of the distortion? Or to construct a faraday cage?

 

[guineapig]

i think the new digi ballasts have solved the interference problem.....just make sure its EMF protected and that fact is advertised as so.....-gp

 

[Guest]

My Lumatek is still going strong with no problems so far.

Secret Room: I think the third wire is earth ground, and is there...you should still have a three prong plug. With my limited electronic knowledge, I'm assuming it is connected on the ballast end of the cord to the braided shield in the coaxial wire...doesn't need to hook to the actual socket...that's my guess.

No noise or interference...I have a radio and tv real close to my room.

Be Safe...
DKF

 

[Secret Room]

I have mine wired with just the white and black wire into the cool tube socket. I do have some interference on the weaker channels and on the stronger there isn't any interference. I was thinking maybe because the ground wire is not hooked up it is causing interference with the electrical lines and not radio tv frequency waves. I wish when I got the light they would have had intructions on the wiring of it I had to go to the one of the forums to get that info.

 

[HYDROJUNKIE]

just an update folks,...went to the hydro store yesterday and they now have 1000 watt electronic ballasts.
the owner says it puts out more light than a magnetic and no heat or noise whatsoever,.....
I asked how reliable they are because I heard awhile back they tried to make these and the 1000 watters were popping or melting..
he states they offer a 2 year warranty and they did a 10 month test run where they ran one ballast 24/7 and one that went on and off every 5 minutes,10 minutes and so on with no failure...
although they are going for around $430us he says in a couple months the price should drop around $200 cheaper...

 

[raygun]

I am looking to get one onf these and was doing some shopping. has anyone delt with this company before?
http://www.hidhut.com/category1.php

$95 for a 400 digital ballast is the cheepest i have seen!