What's the best 600W Digital Balast on the market?

[clowntown]

http://stores.ebay.com/KG-Garden-Su...PS_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZQ2d1QQfsubZ13QQftidZ2QQtZkm

When I bought their GE 400w bulbs (page says "GE High Pressure Bulb", 92k lumens), it was a GE Lucalox. I would hardly consider a GE Lucalox to be specialty or high-end bulb... it's just a vanilla, "low-end" bulb AFAIC, and I'd never pay $80 for it. Even at $45 (free shipping though) it seems a bit steep, but a little cheaper than a Hortilux Super HPS ($64 + shipping from MD Hydro). There may be cheaper places, but then again there might not be depending on how tight the 600w market is.

 

[Ono Nadagin]

For those of you that wre not getting a Galaxy ballast because of BGHydros reviews... you should read this

http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/static/articles/0506_digiballasts.asp

NOTE: The information in this article is now out of date. BGH highly recommends not using this information to base your decision on when choosing a new digital ballast. The most notable change is that the Galaxy ballasts have been redesigned. They are now almost identical to the Lumatek, but they are dual-voltage (120V/240V) and work with every lamp that BGH carries.

And they as well as bulbs can be bought cheap as hell at 1000bulbs..about $27 cheaper and bulbs are way cheaper there you can buy the Generic EYE bulbs there made by the company that makes them for eyewaski.
http://www.1000bulbs.com/product.php?product=32107

 

[pico]

hidhut has the 600w hps enhanced spectrum bulbs back in stock.

http://www.hidhut.com/catalog/full-....html?osCsid=a4f87b6c80f5ea4165abc54fe8bba66e


oh and I did a little research and found some good info on hidhut ballasts. if you look up their fcc id it gives you internal photos, schematics, all the tests done on it.....etc

https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/cf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=431919&fcc_id='T98SUNWAY'

Now why isn't the Lumatek FCC tested? Maybe because then their schematics would be available for all to see? strange.

 

[Neptune]

awesome. Just hit the checkout stand myself! nice price... way good.
I'll replace bulbs every other grow at this price.

Also is interesting that Lumatek is not FCC tested... hmmm, Could it be that these are exactly the same balasts? I would imagine that the ballasts stamped out in china are sold and resold, branded and unbranded to several companies who package them differently(as mentioned above). This is done in all industries everywhere, it's called price segregation. Everyone always says "you get what you pay for." FUCKING FALSE.

a real example, the BMW Z series engine is the same engine in the Dodge Neon, the only difference being the Dodge engine is required to dumb down their engine slightly... I'm not sure how they do this, but an example would be to reduce the fuel injection and or airflow/mixing. Same engine, about $30,000 difference MSRP.

I'm still not convinced that Lumatek blue is any better than the HIDhut 600s, warrenty alone is not enough... if the unit lasts one year, it's going to last for 2 years, or 5 years. The real troubble is in the first 6 months, which is under warrenty from all manufacturers.

 

[pico]

i have been thinking for a long time that they could be the same ballasts.

It also says somewhere in all that FCC testing that all the HIDHUT ballasts are identicle except for the wattage used for marketing. Or something like that.

 

[jcsmooth]

Interesting points Neptune, and I completely agree that as far as my knowledge goes, a lot of retailers slap on stickers and offer various warranties for the same products. However, I don't completely agree with you that a product that lasts you 1 year will definitely last you another 1 or 4 years.

While the hidhut ballasts are apparently FCC certified, but the Lumatek's is not (they do talk about various testing, but nothing of the FCC sort), I'm still more confident in the Lumatek ballast. FCC certified or not, if your ballast were to kick the bucket after two years, you can get a new replacement with Lumatek but not with hidhut. Secondly, Lumatek as a business has been around for longer (As far as I know) and have a larger public image than hidhut (i.e. larger reputation at stake if they don't perform as advertised). I'm not trying to crap on the little guy, and I apologize if that's the way I'm coming off, it's just that I trust a larger organization with set policies and a reputation to uphold than a smaller one with less on the line and a shorter warranty offer. If these things are anything like computers, they can kick the bucket at just about any time. Just don't hook your ballast up to the internet and start downloading porn

You don't always get what you pay for, you're absolutely right. Most of the time you do, provided you put a little bit of purchasing power and personal investigation into your spending habits. That's what comparison shopping is all about...here's a funny stupid little example.
I was buying some toilet paper this morning and was trying to wrap my head (pun not intended) around all the different varieties.
I was trying to figure out if the double-roll kind is in fact twice the amount of sheets as the single, and if so, was the price more/less/equal to the single roll kind.

What a fucking nightmare! No two brands had the same amount of sheets on their rolls, so trying to calculate it in your head is impossible. I'd have to make a damn spreadsheet to figure it all out.
FYI: I went with the double-roll just 'cause it was less bulky to carry back home on the bus. Convenience over cost I guess.

Just thinking about this alibaba website that's been posted up in another thread. Can you imagine trying to redeem your warranty with one of those companies?
Sorry to ramble on and on.....I really take my purchasing power seriously. haha

Happy growing,
JC

 

[pico]

I hate buying toilet paper. probably because i don't like paying more for the same thing so I end up spending 5 minutes calculating the best deal. Just based on principle.

 

[cobo]

​

COMPLETE 600W DIGITAL BALLAST GROWLIGHT WITH LAMP AND MAINS LEAD-PLUG AND GROW

The best price i've found in uk for them digital lights £85.00 +VAT


http://www.theonlineelectricalwholesaler.com/catalog/add_to_cart.php?cpath=88_292&pid=275

 

[ItsGrowTime]

Speaking of HIDHUT, Mdhydro claims they build/supply some of the Hidhut ballasts. Just something to keep in mind when shopping for the best deal.

 

[jojajico]

im thinking i want to get a digital ballast but ive heard they can have some problems with reliablity. im thinking of gettin a magnetic first then a digital with a UPS. then if anything ever happens to the digi i will have the magnetic for backup.

 

[J.Magical]

What about this one ?

http://www.greenshorticulture.co.uk/details.asp?productid=620&subcat=192&cat=182

 

[paq]

BGHYDRO

BGHYDRO

Hey Guys, Got my shipment in, 600w Ge Lucolux =]. But BGHydro sent me the silver (first generation LK6120) lumatek ballast when i clearly ordered the blue (second generation LT6120) ballast. The packing slip inside the box says LT6120 and the picture on the website for the product i ordered was the second generation blue one. Either they are trying to fuck with an east coast boy or they are trying to get rid of first gens while selling them as second I dont know. But I sent an email as soon as i read the model number on the ballast box. THey better get back to me soon and Im going to send it back. Wish me luck I want my blue second generation LT6120 lumatek =]

 

[jojajico]

just give them a phone call better to talk to a human being.

 

[stretchpuppy]

Check for a fuse, where the power cord plug into the ballast. You need a coin to open the slot. This is just speculation but my first gen lumatek was blue, with no fuse, and my 2nd gen is blue with a fuse.

My point is color may not be the only determining factor to what's on the inside. Maybe they did extra large bonghits that morning at lumatek or whatever, but I did experience this personally.


If there is one there you're golden.

Hey Guys, Got my shipment in, 600w Ge Lucolux =]. But BGHydro sent me the silver (first generation LK6120) lumatek ballast when i clearly ordered the blue (second generation LT6120) ballast. The packing slip inside the box says LT6120 and the picture on the website for the product i ordered was the second generation blue one. Either they are trying to fuck with an east coast boy or they are trying to get rid of first gens while selling them as second I dont know. But I sent an email as soon as i read the model number on the ballast box. THey better get back to me soon and Im going to send it back. Wish me luck I want my blue second generation LT6120 lumatek =]

 

[Guest]

BGHYDRO = Masters at fucking up an order.

 

[ItsGrowTime]

BGHYDRO = Masters at fucking up an order.

Word. They messed up my one and only order too. Fortunately it wasnt anything expensive but it did hold up my grow another few days while it was fixed. Just call their customer service line and they will take care of it. INSIST that they next day the replacement to you since it was 100% their screw-up.

 

[paq]

Stretchpuppy. I checked the power cord slot on the ballast this is what i have. Are you telling me this is second generation? there is a fuse.







I hope this is second generation...Can you guys tell me. or should i demand a blue one from BGH?

Thanks...

 

[paq]

ok guys, just got off the phone with BGH. They claim the LT6120 are not in yet and they are selling Lk as LT on the website. pretty shitty im returning it and getting a refund. I hope to find a blue LT somewhere.

 

[ItsGrowTime]

Did anyone else buy the mdhydro 600w digital? Im thinking it might be the best ballast out there given the price ($129) and the features. I had a hiccup at first but they fixed it very quickly and its been great since.

 

[stretchpuppy]

The first generation does not have a fuse. If you have a fuse you are on at least a newer model.

Both of my "400w Lumatek" units were blue. 1st gen and 2nd Gen, according to them on the phone. The differentiating factor was the fuse. I only had problems with the ballast WITHOUT the fuse.

I don't know about model numbers.

This is from my experience with Lumatek on the phone.

The one and only order out of a shitload from BGH that was screwed up was amended by them sending me a bottle of Liquid Karma.