johndough210
New Member
anyone have a digital ballast? i'm thinking about buying one on an ebay store, its a 400w switchable MH/HPS for like $200 bucks. supposedly they work cooler and more efficiently.
later.
later.
digital ballasts
- Thread starter johndough210
- Start date
SlimDog53185
New Member
I saw the same thing on ebay. I don't know what it is. Could just be something to make it sound better. I'm gonna stick to actual stores.
RooRman
Well-Known Member
Digital? Please explain. What does it have digital tempeture gauges and controls?
skatterbrayne
New Member
Also may wanna deeply research that before purchasing... There are quite a few accounts of "digital ballasts" for sale that arent truly digital in control and operation.
RooRman
Well-Known Member
Is it a digital timer built in? What do you mean by "digital"?
DankCloset
New Member
another general answer brought to you by
Owner: lack of information.
Owner: lack of information.
here is the description i found for one on ebay for $200
Brightest Ballast on the Market
The Lumatek Ballast is the brightest 400 and 600-watt ballast in the industry. Light meter readings indicate the Lumatek ballast is up to 27% brighter than common core and coil magnetic ballasts on the market. The Lumatek is 10% to 15% brighter than the other electronic ballasts out there.
Over time core and coil ballasts degrade, become louder, use more electricity and produce more heat while the lumen output declines. Digital ballasts do not degrade and maintain lumen output and efficiency over the life of the Lumatek ballast. Magnetic ballasts output can fluctuate by up to 10% during a 12-hour cycle. Lumatek ballasts will give you a constant output without any fluctuation.
Magnetic ballasts can use up to 75 watts (hence 675 input watts) converting the electricity while the Lumatek is sending the FULL 600 watts to the bulb lighting it to its fullest potential. Lumatek ballast achieve superior light meter readings in comparison to other digital ballasts on the market by using microprocessors to detect the precise type of lamp being run and supply the correct power necessary. The microprocessors are "chips" inside each Lumatek ballast. Some lamps are able to use slightly more than 600 watts. The Lumatek ballast will detect this and increase output accordingly.
Electronic Ballast vs. E-Ballast
The Lumatek ballast is an E-ballast unlike brand other electronic ballasts. What is the difference? E-ballasts use a micro processor similar to a personal computer which runs a software program. This microprocessor allows the E-ballast to run both halide or sodium lamps, switch between 50 and 60 hertz, make adjustments for the type of bulb it is running and, will even compensate for degrading lamps by increasing output. The other Electronic ballasts on the market have a constant output and cannot make adjustments or changes. They will light a MH lamp but quickly degrade it.
Lumatek ballasts are programmed to allow for a soft-start and do not require an initial power surge to light the ballast. This increases the lamp life and allows end users to start multiple ballasts simultaneously without a (breaker tripping) power surge. Lumatek ballast will also detect a short in the wiring or a defective lamp; it simply shuts itself off letting the user know something is wrong with the wiring or the bulb is defective. This should be kept in mind if you have a ballast that keeps shutting off. In most cases there is a problem with the output wiring (from the ballast to the lamp).
Can Lumatek Ballasts run both 400 and 600-watt lamps?
Lumatek ballast is lamp specific and only operates corresponding lamp wattage, of either 400 or 600 watts.
Why are there separate ballasts for 120v or 240v?
Lumatek ballasts are voltage specific and cannot be modified to change the input voltage. The 240v digital ballast is more efficient producing light while generating less heat than the 120v counterpart. Other electronic ballasts or dual input voltage digital ballasts are never able to achieve the same efficiency as a Lumatek dedicated 240v e-ballast.
Surface Temperatures
The Lumatek 600w 240v unit can be expected to reach temperatures of up to 107 degrees while the 600w 120v version can reach temperatures of up to 120 degrees within 8 hours of operation. Do not be fooled by inferior units that use fans. Fans do not make the ballast run cooler; they simply remove the heat and increase the temperature of growing area, if the ballast is in the growing area.
RF Shielded Output Cord
The Lumatek ballast comes with an attached 15 ft. RF shielded output cord. Other brands of digital ballasts are not using shielded cords and will disrupt radio and satellite signals for up to 50 yards (including the neighbors). They will totally knock out reception. The same interference was also experienced with pH equipment, and actually changed calibration to incorrect readings. The Lumatek ballast when properly grounded will have minimal Radio Frequency interference (RFI) (less than 5 ft) and will not interfere with pH equipment. In order to ensure maximum RF Shielding the output cord must be wired directly into the socket. If the ballast is connected to an existing non-shielded wire it will cause radio and satellite television interference. Both of the ground wires (green) should be grounded to the socket for maximum RFI suppression. If it is necessary to extend the output cord further than the 15ft supplied the customer should purchase RFI shielded wire to lengthen the output cord.
Warranty Information
Lumatek offers the best warranty in the industry: 3-year replacement and 2 year prorated, for a total of five years. Lumatek will replace any defective units with brand new units for 3 years from the date of purchase. These units should not be modified or physically damaged. During the 4th and 5th year Lumatek will supply the customer a pro-rated replacement ballast, at $95 for year 4 and $135 for year 5. All warranty issues will be handled directly through the Hydroponic Gardening store where you purchased your Lumatek.
Warranty Information
Do not attempt to open a Lumatek ballast. This will void the warranty. If you were to open up the ballast you would find that all components are encased in epoxy, so there is nothing you can change without special electronic equipment. The return rate is less than 1% and service done by Lumatek's distributor would include checking the microprocessors and re-programming if necessary.
Digital Ballast Market Confusion
There are several look-a-likes to the Lumatek in the market. Please do not assume that these have the same quantity and perform as well as the Lumatek Digital E-ballast. They typically use inferior components and technology and are not true E- ballasts.
Brightest Ballast on the Market
The Lumatek Ballast is the brightest 400 and 600-watt ballast in the industry. Light meter readings indicate the Lumatek ballast is up to 27% brighter than common core and coil magnetic ballasts on the market. The Lumatek is 10% to 15% brighter than the other electronic ballasts out there.
Over time core and coil ballasts degrade, become louder, use more electricity and produce more heat while the lumen output declines. Digital ballasts do not degrade and maintain lumen output and efficiency over the life of the Lumatek ballast. Magnetic ballasts output can fluctuate by up to 10% during a 12-hour cycle. Lumatek ballasts will give you a constant output without any fluctuation.
Magnetic ballasts can use up to 75 watts (hence 675 input watts) converting the electricity while the Lumatek is sending the FULL 600 watts to the bulb lighting it to its fullest potential. Lumatek ballast achieve superior light meter readings in comparison to other digital ballasts on the market by using microprocessors to detect the precise type of lamp being run and supply the correct power necessary. The microprocessors are "chips" inside each Lumatek ballast. Some lamps are able to use slightly more than 600 watts. The Lumatek ballast will detect this and increase output accordingly.
Electronic Ballast vs. E-Ballast
The Lumatek ballast is an E-ballast unlike brand other electronic ballasts. What is the difference? E-ballasts use a micro processor similar to a personal computer which runs a software program. This microprocessor allows the E-ballast to run both halide or sodium lamps, switch between 50 and 60 hertz, make adjustments for the type of bulb it is running and, will even compensate for degrading lamps by increasing output. The other Electronic ballasts on the market have a constant output and cannot make adjustments or changes. They will light a MH lamp but quickly degrade it.
Lumatek ballasts are programmed to allow for a soft-start and do not require an initial power surge to light the ballast. This increases the lamp life and allows end users to start multiple ballasts simultaneously without a (breaker tripping) power surge. Lumatek ballast will also detect a short in the wiring or a defective lamp; it simply shuts itself off letting the user know something is wrong with the wiring or the bulb is defective. This should be kept in mind if you have a ballast that keeps shutting off. In most cases there is a problem with the output wiring (from the ballast to the lamp).
Can Lumatek Ballasts run both 400 and 600-watt lamps?
Lumatek ballast is lamp specific and only operates corresponding lamp wattage, of either 400 or 600 watts.
Why are there separate ballasts for 120v or 240v?
Lumatek ballasts are voltage specific and cannot be modified to change the input voltage. The 240v digital ballast is more efficient producing light while generating less heat than the 120v counterpart. Other electronic ballasts or dual input voltage digital ballasts are never able to achieve the same efficiency as a Lumatek dedicated 240v e-ballast.
Surface Temperatures
The Lumatek 600w 240v unit can be expected to reach temperatures of up to 107 degrees while the 600w 120v version can reach temperatures of up to 120 degrees within 8 hours of operation. Do not be fooled by inferior units that use fans. Fans do not make the ballast run cooler; they simply remove the heat and increase the temperature of growing area, if the ballast is in the growing area.
RF Shielded Output Cord
The Lumatek ballast comes with an attached 15 ft. RF shielded output cord. Other brands of digital ballasts are not using shielded cords and will disrupt radio and satellite signals for up to 50 yards (including the neighbors). They will totally knock out reception. The same interference was also experienced with pH equipment, and actually changed calibration to incorrect readings. The Lumatek ballast when properly grounded will have minimal Radio Frequency interference (RFI) (less than 5 ft) and will not interfere with pH equipment. In order to ensure maximum RF Shielding the output cord must be wired directly into the socket. If the ballast is connected to an existing non-shielded wire it will cause radio and satellite television interference. Both of the ground wires (green) should be grounded to the socket for maximum RFI suppression. If it is necessary to extend the output cord further than the 15ft supplied the customer should purchase RFI shielded wire to lengthen the output cord.
Warranty Information
Lumatek offers the best warranty in the industry: 3-year replacement and 2 year prorated, for a total of five years. Lumatek will replace any defective units with brand new units for 3 years from the date of purchase. These units should not be modified or physically damaged. During the 4th and 5th year Lumatek will supply the customer a pro-rated replacement ballast, at $95 for year 4 and $135 for year 5. All warranty issues will be handled directly through the Hydroponic Gardening store where you purchased your Lumatek.
Warranty Information
Do not attempt to open a Lumatek ballast. This will void the warranty. If you were to open up the ballast you would find that all components are encased in epoxy, so there is nothing you can change without special electronic equipment. The return rate is less than 1% and service done by Lumatek's distributor would include checking the microprocessors and re-programming if necessary.
Digital Ballast Market Confusion
There are several look-a-likes to the Lumatek in the market. Please do not assume that these have the same quantity and perform as well as the Lumatek Digital E-ballast. They typically use inferior components and technology and are not true E- ballasts.
Urdedpal
New Member
These are the newest ballasts available. If I didn't own so many lights already I would get one.
Lilstinky420
New Member
Yah Digital ballasts are everywhere basically that they sell lights...I think they use circuits instead of a magnet to produce the power or something?? They also supposed to be more efficient and cooler reliable blah blah blah, but more money. I also think all of them, or most, are switchable between MH/HPS - but a switchable MH/HPS old fashion style is cheaper.
skatterbrayne
New Member
DankCloset said:
- Thread starter
- #11
johndough210
New Member
they call them digital but its really just circuitry rather than the capacitors and coil. i got this from a reputable ebay grow store. they have a couple locations in a nearby town, if i'm up there i'll see whats up with them.
i like the part about the 20,000hz!
i like the part about the 20,000hz!
DankCloset
New Member
hmmm
skatterbrayne
New Member
you are makin' me wanna check one out, and i just got a traditional one! 
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