Phantom Digital Ballast 1000W dimmable Question?

[1Maconheiro]

ok got the Phantom Digital Ballast 1000w dimmable. This ballast is dimmable from 40%, 75% and 100% so does that mean that if i'm using a 1000w bulb and I dim it to 40% is like i'm using a 400w, 75% = 600W is this correct?


http://www.hydrofarm.com/product.php?itemid=11014

 

[Hydrolized]

Since when is 75% of 1000w 600???

 

[jm420]

Im not sure about phantom but some ballast require the right bulb for each option 40 =400 75-750,100 =1000,check the manufactures specs

My quantum takes a 1k bulb but dims to 750 ,500 wich i condsider it dims to a 600 or 400 equivilent.

 

[1Maconheiro]

Yeah my Phantom has a 1k bulb in it as well.. and can dim to 40%, 75% 100% so technically i could use a 400w bulb if dimmed to 40% .....

 

[jm420]

contact phantom ,not all Digi"s run 1 type of bulb some of them you need diffrent wattage bulbs for each setting .
Thats the reason I bought the quantum A 1000 watt bulb runs at all 3 settings ,Theres a few other brands as well .I'm not sure about phantom but from what i understand its quality gear but there techs can tell you definate answer

 

[watts]

With the phantom you have to run the size bulb for whatever ballast you got. So if you got a 1000 watt ballast then you must always use a 1000 watt bulb. You dim that bulb only. At 75% you would be running at 750 watts. 40% would be 400 watt.

 

[1Maconheiro]

With the phantom you have to run the size bulb for whatever ballast you got. So if you got a 1000 watt ballast then you must always use a 1000 watt bulb. You dim that bulb only. At 75% you would be running at 750 watts. 40% would be 400 watt.

Watts- Thanks for clearing that up.. Are you using the Phantom? if so what type of bulb are you using? and how is it performing for you....

 

[jm420]

bunch of timers you dont want to use and 1 bulb in particular .
but watts seems to be right 1k bulb only ,.
I'm goona get a light meter me thinks just to see if 75% = 750 watts my guess is closer to 600

 

[1Maconheiro]

bunch of timers you dont want to use and 1 bulb in particular .
but watts seems to be right 1k bulb only ,.
I'm goona get a light meter me thinks just to see if 75% = 750 watts my guess is closer to 600

jm420 keep me posted on that, i'd like to know myself..

 

[Karmic Farmer]

I've been running the 1000 watt Phantom for over a year now and unless they changed you can run them at 100% (1000 watts), 75% (750 watts), and 60% (600 watts). You will be running the full 1000 watts until the bulb heats up and then it will automatically kick down to the setting you have it at so you must make sure your electric panel can handle the initial warm up period (about 7 minutes) running the full 1000 watts or however many ballasts you are using.
I highly reccomend them, great ballasts.

Peace,
KF

 

[Karmic Farmer]

bunch of timers you dont want to use and 1 bulb in particular .
but watts seems to be right 1k bulb only ,.
I'm goona get a light meter me thinks just to see if 75% = 750 watts my guess is closer to 600

I've put mine on a Killawatt meter and it draws 750 watts after the initial 1000 watt warm up period. Never tried a lux meter on mine but it seems pretty close to me.

Peace,
KF

 

[farmari]

Just an FYI... generally the efficiency will drop off significantly with a dimmed ballast... not just lumens per watt but also the spectrum will be worse. Though IMO the dimming feature on a ballast can be very useful in particular situations.

 

[Karmic Farmer]

Just an FYI... generally the efficiency will drop off significantly with a dimmed ballast... not just lumens per watt but also the spectrum will be worse. Though IMO the dimming feature on a ballast can be very useful in particular situations.

There have been several days I've kicked mine down because of the extreme heat this summer.
Some brands will still draw the full 1000 watts when dimmed (I forget which ones, you'd have to plug yours into a Killawatt meter to know for sure)

Peace,
KF

 

[TheNewGuy2012]

With the phantom you have to run the size bulb for whatever ballast you got. So if you got a 1000 watt ballast then you must always use a 1000 watt bulb. You dim that bulb only. At 75% you would be running at 750 watts. 40% would be 400 watt.

yeah, I don't think people realize that the phantom ballasts ignite the bulb to 100% for 15 minutes until the bulb is warm & then it dims down to the preselected setting.

 

[1Maconheiro]

I've been running the 1000 watt Phantom for over a year now and unless they changed you can run them at 100% (1000 watts), 75% (750 watts), and 60% (600 watts). You will be running the full 1000 watts until the bulb heats up and then it will automatically kick down to the setting you have it at so you must make sure your electric panel can handle the initial warm up period (about 7 minutes) running the full 1000 watts or however many ballasts you are using.
I highly reccomend them, great ballasts.

Peace,
KF

KF your correct it's dimmable to 60%, 75% and 100% Phantom is the only ballast i've owed but so far I like it, I'm going to be reducing the size of my grow area and won't need the full 100% so having the option of dimming is good to have...

 

[Cave Dweller]

Anybody check lumens or spectrum when dimmed? Bulbs are designed to be driven a specific way.

CD

 

[farmari]

Anybody check lumens or spectrum when dimmed? Bulbs are designed to be driven a specific way.

CD

I made a post on this a while back: https://www.icmag.com/ic/showpost.php?p=4997473&postcount=24

Those are based on luxometer readings... actual PAR light may be different (presumably lower) because of spectrum change.