C.A.P. Ballast Craps out Again!

[LolaGal]

Durn, I think I had to replace this thing in March.

Now it's going to be replaced again.

The nice people at the hydro store are going to send another brand as a replacement.

What's good/bad about this brand?

NextGen Electronic Ballast. It is a couple hundred bucks higher than the one I purchased, but magnetic ballast all I have used.

Is this any good?

 

[draco]

Hey LG

The digital doesn't seem to be mature technology... seems to be a lot of failures I have read about on the web - I have two lumetek 1kw's and had one fail after only three months of 12/12.

Quiet, small, and no rf interference though! Hey if you got a warranty and a dealer in town to make it good it might not be so bad.

Still I hope it's the last problem you have with it!

Grow well sistah...

 

[Danknuggler]

hey Lola that sux.What wattage is it may i ask?I have a 600 nextgen.Its pretty new still.Hope it dont take a crapper too.

 

[gogoplata420]

i think shes getting a nextgen? idk

 

[NorCalFor20]

stick with the magi's

 

[LolaGal]

I'm replacing the CAP Value line with a Next Gen.

They are both 400s.

I have not used an electronic ballast before,so wondered if they were any good.

thanks

 

[Danknuggler]

oh now i see.the verdict is still out on these new nextgens though.i got all 600 lumateks which have been running solid for 2 years no probs but recently got 1 more 600 a nextgen and its doing what its supposed to so far.maybe 4 months old.Have you actually got the nextgen 400 yet in your hands?I'm just wondering how small and light it is as my 600 is real slim and light too.

 

[gogoplata420]

ive been doing lots of research on those bad boys lately cuz im planning on getting the 400/600 nextgen. seems like they fixed most of their problems they were having before. they have a good warranty and they stand behind their product... good enough for me

go with solarmax bulbs

 

[LolaGal]

I think the hydro store quit stocking my brand, Sun Systems, so they are going to substitute this.

Next Gen is supposed to put out 30% more light according to the ad.

Plus, they sell a 65 foot cord that goes with it... hahaha

 

[Dank-j]

Electronic Ballasts are the future..., but the technology isn't mature yet like some others have stated.

They are brighter, technically more efficient but are prone to burning out, some report certain bulbs not firing, some electronic ballasts leak radio *noise* like crazy and trash the spectrum - prompting investigation by phone/media companies who's customers are reporting outages/interference.

 

[SpasticGramps]

Digi's are cool, but not something I would want to run a farm off of. I use Sun Systems magi and love em. Sucks your dealer ditched them. Next Gen digi will cause interference with certain electronics. IMHO mag is the way to go till the bugs are worked out of digi. Like it to magnets vs Microsoft. (In a way)

 

[LolaGal]

OK, thanks, well, didn't have much choice in the matter, I would rather have Sun Systems.

I guess it will be a good test to see if Next Gen ballast works. It has a 3 year replacement warranty and 2 years parts and service warranty...

thanks for the info!

 

[TrichyTrichy]

heya I have a nextgen and love it.

 

[Yota]

heya I have a nextgen and love it.

Even though im having problems with it right now, im gonna have to agree. I'm pretty sure its turns its self off when the socket or bulb get to hot to prevent any damage from happening. Not to mention the warranty they come with.... =D

 

[LolaGal]

Cool, Glad to see some positive reports coming in! Thanks Trichy!

I think I will like the weight, the others seem to be heavier, although I have not seen a NextGen yet, it's supposed to be lightweight.. yippie!

Also it is supposed to accept any light, HPS, MH, etc. and have a universal socket for lamps.

They should put those 240 cords in there with them, though, that would be nice.

 

[TrichyTrichy]

CMH & HPS and it's sleek

 

[LolaGal]

What? it won't take a regular MH bulb? I'm screwed....

dad gum it, Glad I pulled a light out of bloom to put in veg, or I would never have noticed, it wasnt' firing right. durn capacitor out on the CAP.

 

[TrichyTrichy]

runs MH just fine Lola

starts fast and also restarts quickly for Hotlamp restart
flicker free -constant lamp voltage which means it will last longer than others.

 

[LolaGal]

whew! thanks. there for a minute I thought I was in trouble.

I bought a case of 400 watt MH bulbs, gotta burn em up.... haha

 

[Carboy]

Have been running a couple NexGen 400/600 MH/HPS 110/220
Got them for the versatility w/ the long cord. Can change to use over clones, mothers or flower w/ appropriate bulb very easily anywhere in the room. Have used the standard Lowes MH, 400 & 600 HPS bulbs from HID Hut. Noticed a quick short loss of a power caused by the Utility Co. a couple a times --- hot started back fine. As others have said, flicker free and light weight. A few months isn't enough time to be definitive, but it's done what it is supposed to so far.
CB