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recomend a ballast

marimbas

marimbas

Member
i want a digital ballast because first of all they dosnt make any noise, they dosnt hum, or heat up, also they put a bigger lumen output, than the core and coil ones...

But must important because they dosnt make any noise, and dosnt heat up... thats my reason!
 
HappyHemphog

HappyHemphog

Active member
GP, the main difference is the old ones use huge coil windings of copper wire that generate alot of heat and weight. The new digital ones replace those large coils with circuitry to some extent thereby reducing the heat and weight.

This brings a number of other benefits as well, faster lamp starting times, longer lamp life, less space consumed, no noise, etc.. Also, most HPS digital ballasts will accept MH Conversion bulbs.

All those reasons made me choose the digi ballast over the traditional coil types. I was even willing to spend a few extra dollars as the extended life of a $80 grow bulb is well worth it among other reasons.

Cheers!
Hempy
 
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HappyHemphog

HappyHemphog

Active member
HappyHemphog said:
That's a damn good question. While I doubt you would be denied because of the change, I am going to find out the answer.
Click to expand...


Well, it turns out that BGH is 99% sure they are going to stick with the LumaTeks and not carry the LumenAce. Either way, our warranty's are safe and will be honored.

Hempy
 
G

Guest

My main reason GP is that there is no heat like the old models. When running a boat load of ballast for large grows or multi Coli's. This helps keep the room temp down alot. The old style ballast would drive me crazy as they got older with that damn humming or buzzing noise. The new digital ballast doesn't do this at all. If you try one of these ballast. You won't go back to the old style ones. They fire up alot faster, blubs last longer and they got a killer warranty. You can't bet that. I'll make sure to post some pictures of the rows of ballast's all lined up and i'll make sure to show room temp also. Big differents
Later
 
G

Guest

HappyHemphog said:
GP, the main difference is the old ones use huge coil windings of copper wire that generate alot of heat and weight. The new digital ones replace those large coils with circuitry to some extent thereby reducing the heat and weight.

This brings a number of other benefits as well, faster lamp starting times, longer lamp life, less space consumed, no noise, etc.. Also, most HPS digital ballasts will accept MH Conversion bulbs.

All those reasons made me choose the digi ballast over the traditional coil types. I was even willing to spend a few extra dollars as the extended life of a $80 grow bulb is well worth it among other reasons.

Cheers!
Hempy
Click to expand...


I agree 100 percent...I've been in a room with 12000 watts of ballasts and it was hot as hell in the room. needed it's own ac and fans. that was the main reason I went to digital for myself....just made sense
 
G

Guest

hurricanefaniam said:
I agree 100 percent...I've been in a room with 12000 watts of ballasts and it was hot as hell in the room. needed it's own ac and fans. that was the main reason I went to digital for myself....just made sense
Click to expand...


Don't forget they are alot lighter then the old ones. Alot easier to moving around then the older ones. It's looking like 4800 watts for me and i'm curious to the tempperature in the room with 4800 watts. Most likely will place ballast boxes in closet with fresh ac intake. Very good thread and i think it helps those that don't know anything or a bunch about Digital ballast. BG Hydro is a great shop. I have orded from them many times.
Take care
 
C

Cheeba

Member
The Lumatek ballast has the best warranty of all electronic ballasts -5 YEARS! (3 year exchange 2 year prorated). Future Bright: only 2 years (an optional 3rd year can purchased for an $40.00). ROM Light: only 3 years. Terra Grow: 1 year replacement; 4 years prorated.
Click to expand...

I have a PL Lights 400w ballast and even though I'm happy with it, I still want to get the new digital ballasts. I'm going to still stick with my PL reflectors though :)

FYI: BG Hydro charges the "RETAIL" price if you go in store.
 
shiftfoot

shiftfoot

Member
HappyHemphog said:
Well, it turns out that BGH is 99% sure they are going to stick with the LumaTeks and not carry the LumenAce. Either way, our warranty's are safe and will be honored.

Hempy
Click to expand...
I wonder why thier doing preorder on the luminace,Not enough response?They oughta atleast put the price on the page,kinda cheesy to have to callem to find out.I hate it when companys do that sheit.
 
R

Raul Duke

New member
A question on Better Grow Hydro, does anyone have an estimate for shipping cost? After glancing over the site the prices are a generally a few dollars cheaper than my default site hydroempire.com, however Hydroempire has the great offer of free shipping for all orders over 100. Although It seems I'll have to go to BGH for a digital ballast I'm just wondering for more basic supplies for my first grow I'm working on....thanks

Raul
 
G

Guest

Is there any real difference between the lumatek and lumenace?

Also could you people who own a lumatek ballast comment on the radio frequency interferance issues I've been reading about on some grow sites? Some people say they get interferance on AM and longwave radios up to 1/2 km away if they have their lamp elevated. Apparently the interferance eminates from the lamp because the ballast and cord are shielded but the lamp can't be.

I've also heard that the lumatek ballasts weren't "true" digital, but I never understood this and it didn't seem like the people who posted understood it fully either.
 
GreatLakes THC

GreatLakes THC

an Arthur P. Jacobs production
Veteran
I have both 400 and 600 watt digital ballasts from lumatek. Haven't had any complaints. The housings do get warm, but they don't much eminate heat like the coil ballasts do. They are much quieter too. I like mine.

GreatLakes THC
 
G

Guest

GreatLakes THC said:
I have both 400 and 600 watt digital ballasts from lumatek. Haven't had any complaints. The housings do get warm, but they don't much eminate heat like the coil ballasts do. They are much quieter too. I like mine.

GreatLakes THC
Click to expand...
digital is the future
 
Verite

Verite

My little pony.. my little pony
Veteran
Boon and a curse, look what it did for the audiophile and CD's.

And werent we supposed to go to the metric system one of these days?
 
R

reaper43

New member
if i'm not mistaken, its the bulb and not the ballast that determines the lumens per watt. also, if your having heat issues, take the ballasts out of the flowering room. :bat: more important than the ballast is the reflector and placement of the lights. 600's are way cooler than the 1000's i'm using and are able to be put closer to the canopy. with a quality hood,(air cooled preffered)and good bulbs(hortilux super spectrum) it really won't matter what kind of ballast you have. hope this helps. :pimp3: :pimp3: :pimp3:
 
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G

Guest

I would recommend a Sun Systems "switchable" ballast.

I have dual 1,000 watters (air cooled).

The switchable ballast allows you to run either HPS (high pressure sodium) or MH (metal halide) with a flip of a switch without having to buy conversion bulbs.

If you need 240 volt, no need to open the ballast. You just buy the 240 volt cord and you are set.

5 year warranty. Bada bing. :pimp3:
 
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