Help chosing a digital ballast

[BigPhil]

Hello basicly I'm thinking of upgrading some equipment, and I'd like to get my hands on 2 digital ballasts, But what ones? I was going to go with lumateck but heard quite a few horror storys about these.

So I was thinking maybe checking out Quantums, But i carnt seam to find anywhere in the uk that sells them, There must be somwhere.

So I then when on to think maybe i should go for the lightwave digi dallast.

I use philips son t bulbs so if anyone has any info on what digi ballast would be best to go for, for proformance and quality then that would be great

Cheers BP

 

[Giant]

I am in the same boat as you.. I will be purchasing a 600w digital ballast sometime in the near future. AFAIK all of the lumatek problems are relating to the old models. The new (purple) ballasts are supposed to be fine. That being said, I have also heard good things about the Galaxy brand.

I will probably end up with a Lumatek unless someone convinces me otherwise.

 

[BigPhil]

yes I've heard theres about 3 models of the lumatek (purple colour) and its the one that runs on 240v and 120v that you want to get. I dont belive there should of been any problums at all, so on that thought id like to get one that has been soild from the start.

the quantums look spot on, but dunno where ur from but in usa there about 400 dollas, Think that works out about 250-270 pounds for a ballast sod that!

 

[Stoned Crow]

I've been running a Lumatek 600 Watt 240 volt digi for almost a year straight now on 12/12. I haven't had one problem.

I read the horror stories about the Lumatek's too, but my research convinced me that most of these stories were the result of operator error.

The 240 volt Lumateks need to be wired at the box a little different, and you can't use certain timers with them. The set-up directions in the box go into this in more detail.

 

[MaynardG_Krebs]

I run a Quantum 600 and love the dimmable function. It allows me to run either MH or HPS 110 or 220 all without doing a thing other than change bulbs or cords. I've been running it most of the past year without a hitch.

mgk

 

[Iluvtomatoes]

2 purp 1k lumateks-low level RF interference aka static on the radio am/fm don't matter. at about 20ft thru 2 stories and in my car's radio. annoying-slightly anxiety inducing but not enough to stop using however.
I actually found that my LUMATEK 1000's were causing RF interference on my HDTV antennae as well (several channels not all)--They are going back to the store.
my galaxy 400 has an extremely low level of interference.

 

[BigPhil]

anyone used a lightwave ballast?

 

[Lazyman]

Never heard of lightwave, but you can probably order a quantum off ebay or from a US or canadian hydro shop. I'll never use anything else again, my 5 1KW units are a year old and running strong.

 

[America]

I love my quantum digital ballasts! At $160 for a 600w digital (https://www.dchydro.com), you can't beat them! They are the only UL listed (safe) digital ballasts on the market and carry a matching or better warranty than it's competitors (galaxy, lumatek, etc).

Good luck in your search and whatever you decide on!

 

[BigPhil]

I really want a quantum cheers for the web address im in uk, ill check them out cheers america

 

[regalizeit]

removed - privacy

 

[Strainhunter]

Quantum Ballasts?

Great ballast...but what are you gonna do if the fan in it fails?

Your ballast will overheat and that was it.

That's why you want to use a ballast design which does not require a fan!

 

[BigPhil]

Quantum Ballasts?

Great ballast...but what are you gonna do if the fan in it fails?

Your ballast will overheat and that was it.

That's why you want to use a ballast design which does not require a fan!

dont the quantum ballasts have 2 fans in them anyway? Im sure theyl be ok even if one does fail. I can not buy these ballasts where i live, so id have to buy a load of cables to run it on uk mains. I have emailed quantum today and they said there in talks to ship there ballasts over here in uk, So i could just wait it out. Or go with lumket or lightwave.

Some1 should really test all these ballasts and have it up somwhere where every1 can find it! I deffo wanna digi thou, more light, cheeper to run. never loses there power, sounds great, I want to listen to the radio thou, And i dont want my blubs to burn out

I run son t bulbs

 

[America]

Quantum Ballasts?

Great ballast...but what are you gonna do if the fan in it fails?

Your ballast will overheat and that was it.

That's why you want to use a ballast design which does not require a fan!

Never heard of the fan dying in any quantum, yet. Although it will happen eventually..

There is a reason these are certified and others are not: It means that these have a superior build quality and safety factor.

Maybe fans aren't the best thing for a ballast when length of service is concerned, but when it comes to safety, I can clearly see the benefits of keeping your ballast cool.

The quantums (like most other digital ballast) are shaped like one big heatsink, just like the Lumateks, but the Lumateks don't have fans.

I'd venture to guess in a few years, when quantum ballasts fans start to go bad, you'll also see Lumateks start to go bad from heat stress (due to the lack of any cooling fans). Who knows, though? Anything can break really..

 

[Lazyman]

Yeah they do have two fans, and by the time they die I'm hoping we can buy 3rd gen LED panels that actually CAN compete with 1KW lamps in output AND price.

 

[Guest 18340]

I have a Galaxy going on 5 years now. Never a hiccup.
As for the fans on Quantum's (several others have them), thats the weak link as it's the only thing with a motor that can burn out. Quantum's are new so only time will tell.
Also, stay away from ballasts that have and "overdrive"knob tha allows you to run the bulb at more than 100% output. It WILL shorten the life of the bulb.

 

[Stoned Crow]

I love my quantum digital ballasts! At $160 for a 600w digital (https://www.dchydro.com), you can't beat them! They are the only UL listed (safe) digital ballasts on the market and carry a matching or better warranty than it's competitors (galaxy, lumatek, etc).

Good luck in your search and whatever you decide on!

Isn't Lumatek UL listed? From my research, Lumatek had the best return policy of any of the ballast companies.