Lumatek Ballast

[sirsloth]

The lady at my local nursery is closing out her digital ballasts. She is offering brand new Lumatek 1000W for $250 and generic brand digital 600W for $150. However, because she is clearing them out, she is offering no warranty.

The price on the 1000W is about $80 below street price. How risky is purchasing this ballast with no warranty? I understand Lumatek has fixed most of the problems present in their early design, but I am hesistant because the nature of electronics is to break. Whereas it is almost impossible to break a coil ballast.

[Peacock]

Sirsloth these two ballasts, I would think they are being sold at wholesale cost. The 1000 watt ballast is quite a bit hotter than the 600w. The 600 is more cost savings. The generic 600 watt ballast I would be hesitant about.

Hope this helps

[sirsloth]

Thanks for your response. You're right, she is a nursery supply wholesaler, not actually a nursery. The generic 600W for $150 is nothing to write home about. As for the Lumatek 1000W, I think I will wait to see if she drops them to $200 before snatching one up. She said she has 5 left, so maybe when she gets down to her last one or two she'll let me have it for $200. I have been giving her a lot of business lately buying soil, pots and ferts, so maybe she'll cut me a break.

[Peacock]

I still like the 600 watt ballasts from Lumatek. In the long run you will save money on energy. The bulbs are alittle more expensive (they are more industrial bulbs, I have read and heard that they have better lumens). Don't ask me how that works. Also you will need a conversion bulb for MH, or do your grow and flower with HPS. I will start using a light mover and therefore save more energy, by keeping the light closer to the plants and the heat will be less. I'm in the process of renovating the grow and flowering rooms.

Grow and help others grow.

[spydermite]

i bought a few of those lumatek 1000 w 240 and sold them to my freind they wouldnt fire my eye blues but he still has them and loves them

[DrTentgrow]

I bought a 600w Lumatek ballast about 5 months ago its the one with a super lumen switch. ive had no problems so far.

[Mylar]

What HPS bulb do you fine people use with 600w lumateks in your flower rooms? My old EYE needs to be replaced soon. Eye did it's job well just want to know what your using and would you buy it again? I was looking at the new dual 600w and that thing is pricey I may just add another 600 single.

check out my new grow journal
http://www.420magazine.com/forums/jo...tml#post789487

[Smokeyjoe]

Think my bulb is an Agrosun Super Red or somehing like that, 600W

[Stix]

EYE Hortilux 600 watt.

[Mylar]

Originally Posted by Stix

EYE Hortilux 600 watt.

I think I will stick with the EYE Hortilux 600 watt and add a 4ft light mover. Thanks

[WholeLottaSmo]

So, that sounds sort of scary that Lumatek bulbs could blow up. I guess you need to really check to see if the ballasts go with the bulbs. I've been trying to figure out what to use for my first grow and it seems like some people are really into the digital ballasts, but they seem a little pricey.

You guys seem like a smart bunch, any ideas on how a newbie with a small budget might be able to choose the best lights without being nervous that glass is going to be all over the room in the morning?

[BWC BayArea]

Grab a magnetic ballast. Yeah they make more noise and generate more heat but I personally have had no problems. I have a new and a used ballast and they both work fine. I just read a post of a dude whose basement burnt up the other day messin with a Lumatek ballast. I wanna find it and post the link. BRB. Found it,>Solarmax 600HPS blew up - started fire

[The Weed]

BWC BayArea agree, But a loud humming sound is a dead give away in stealth grows, And many growers can not handle extra heat. For Every Digital Electronic bulb blow out it seem to be with the fancier bulbs. I have used 2 digital electronic ballast 400 watters with normal 400 watt bulbs for two yrs with no problems. Plus all are switchable which are a great option for most on a budget. You know I worship you BWC BayArea. Just stated a opinion.

[BWC BayArea]

Got 2 ballasts side by side. I guess my fans drown the noise out. Ballasts are also in adjacent room. Guess I'm lucky cuz I never had the problem. If its a stealth grow some sound proofing may be in order. I soundproofed my windows b4 I covered them, then I went outside of the building to see if I could hear any noise or see light. Worked for me. Hope U guys find a useful alternative. And yea all the problems I've read or heard about with the digi ballasts were from incompatibility with high end bulbs. I have absolutely zero experience with digital ballasts. I was thinking of copping a dimmable Quantum digital ballasts tho. heard some good stuff. I think PitViper if I'm not mistaken uses at least on Quantum. I know I saw some1 on here with one.

[SouthernWeed]

Originally Posted by BWC BayArea

Got 2 ballasts side by side. I guess my fans drown the noise out. Ballasts are also in adjacent room. Guess I'm lucky cuz I never had the problem. If its a stealth grow some sound proofing may be in order. I soundproofed my windows b4 I covered them, then I went outside of the building to see if I could hear any noise or see light. Worked for me. Hope U guys find a useful alternative. And yea all the problems I've read or heard about with the digi ballasts were from incompatibility with high end bulbs. I have absolutely zero experience with digital ballasts. I was thinking of copping a dimmable Quantum digital ballasts tho. heard some good stuff. I think PitViper if I'm not mistaken uses at least on Quantum. I know I saw some1 on here with one.

I have four Quantums running downstairs and love them.