Old Reviews electronic ballast recommendations?

[rohis]

(edit - I meant to write digital ballast in the title. Just smoked some devil-o-matic. Forgot where I was)

I'm in the market for a new light.

It doesn't matter if it's a full light kit, or if I just find a good ballast and then buy a bulb and reflector elsewhere.

I'd like a 600 watt ballast (or a dual 400 watt if such a thing exists)

Id prefer digital ballasts.

I was looking at http://www.accesshydroponic.com/600-Watt-Electronic-Ballast-HPS-Grow-Light-kit-11p92.htm

but i can't really find any decent reviews.

I was also looking at the lumatek and ultra grow ballasts

anyone have any input?

Doesn't have to be dimmable, but would be nice


Id like to keep my cost under 260 for a decent whole kit, or under 180 for just a ballast.


Thanks guys

 

[BigBuddha]

Lumatek are good, as are Maxibright. I've used both and I can't find a single fault. Personally, I think the Maxibright's are better value for money if you don't want a dimmable ballast.

 

[grindin]

http://www.gothamhydroponics.com/grow-light-kits.html?p=2 they have decent prices. i have one of his 600watt air cooled kits and was happy with it! i emailed them and got the price down a little too!

 

[rohis]

The only reason I'm considering a dimmable ballast is just in case the 600 watt'er is drastically hotter then my current 400 watt'er.

And even if that's the case, Who knows if dimming down the ballast would even make enough of the difference.

Kind of sucks cuz I won't know if I need it till after I buy it

in your opinion, is there a drastic heat difference between 400 watt and 600 watt HPSes if you have experience with both?

 

[spelsylver]

i can only suggest what i've worked with...i started out with a magnetic ballast 400 watt from HTG Supply..it was okay, made a humming noise and got really hot but was worth the price...think i paid under $200 for ballast, both bulbs (switchable) and a basic hood...

i upgraded to the digitals and picked up 2 600 watter ballast. https://sunlightsupply.com/p-11632-galaxy-electronic-ballasts.aspx i think they ran me $230 a piece...got them from a local shop and was able to get tax and a little bit more knocked off the price. If you have a local shop, get chummy with the owners and you will get some kind of a discount if you frequent there enough.

as for lumatek, i've never personally used them but i've heard all sorts of complaints on them. a quick search on the net pulled up what you are looking for in your price range http://www.google.com/products/cata...a=X&ei=jiqHT-vwNaXt0gGmnNiwBw&ved=0CHUQ8wIwAA but of course this is before tax and shipping

you might want to hold off and expand your budget to really get your bang for your buck before making your choice.

good luck!

 

[rohis]

Thanks for jumping right on this topic and answering questions by the way guys. I'm ready to pull the trigger on one today and would've hated to have to come back to the thread days later with no answer.

 

[spelsylver]

The only reason I'm considering a dimmable ballast is just in case the 600 watt'er is drastically hotter then my current 400 watt'er.

And even if that's the case, Who knows if dimming down the ballast would even make enough of the difference.

Kind of sucks cuz I won't know if I need it till after I buy it

in your opinion, is there a drastic heat difference between 400 watt and 600 watt HPSes if you have experience with both?

I noticed an immediate difference in my yield after switching out my 400 for a single 600. The change was well worth it in my opinion...and even though i have a dimable ballast now i have yet to switch it to the 400 setting. lol

 

[rohis]

http://www.gothamhydroponics.com/grow-light-kits.html?p=2 they have decent prices. i have one of his 600watt air cooled kits and was happy with it! i emailed them and got the price down a little too!

Yea this package from them is right about what I'm looking for. http://www.gothamhydroponics.com/gr...ght-kit-600w-wing-reflector-18x18-deluxe.html I'm going to do a little searching the forums for some results under gotham lights. May very well go with this.

 

[bgrt]

i have bought the lumatek dimmable 600 and though i havent used it for a grow yet it is silent as far as a few hour test is concerned i hear they have fixed the rf interferance and i do like the dimmable feature i think ill use 400 for veg with a MH just gives a few more options, also no moving parts to break internally etc.
im sure that ones good too though

 

[rohis]

I noticed an immediate difference in my yield after switching out my 400 for a single 600. The change was well worth it in my opinion...and even though i have a dimable ballast now i have yet to switch it to the 400 setting. lol

Actually, after reading your posts Spelsylver, I think I'm going to go with one of these Select-A-Watt 400-600 Electronic ballasts, since I already know sun is legit. $237.95 isn't much over my budget and I already have some bulbs and a reflector that will work with it for the remainder of my current grow.

In your opinion, what do you think of two of them running next to eachother in 400w to increase your light size?

It would be hard for me to run two 600w next to eachother, that's too much to cool in my 8' by 4' space.