I re-searched USHIO and I like them too.
Do you recommend the Super HPS and the Super MH for vegging/flowering or the hybrid one?
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YOUR INPUT please: Best DIGITAL ballast?
- Thread starter Strainhunter
- Start date
I re-searched USHIO and I like them too.
Do you recommend the Super HPS and the Super MH for vegging/flowering or the hybrid one?
(see tabs in link above)
i like the 2 individual bulbs; never ran the hybrid dual core; only comes in 1k and i'm thinking it doesn't like being dimmed but that is just a guess.... as far as the select a watt ballast goes i've ran different wattage bulbs but now i'm running a 1k super mh bulb dimmed to 400watts; i'll up it to 600 in a couple days; dimming feature works great the plants are adjusting nicely to their new homes. i run a sealed room with co2 so i tape up my reflectors and don't like changing bulbs more than i have to during a grow; that foil tape can be a bitch to remove
Thanks for the reply.
I have the dimmable 1K Galaxys coming in, this whole project will be interesting.
M
milehighmedical
I have a 1000 watt super HPS Hortilux running in my lumatek ballast. Both are brand new and appear to be working without a problem. A guy at the hydro store's told me they've been selling them together all day and haven't heard of any problems. I would be a bit more skeptical, but he gave me the hortilux for free when I got the lumatek. Where as the Ushio would of been cheaper.
montanaorganics
Member
Where is the representation for the CAP digitals? I have had a dimmable 600w Lumatek for around 8 months. Zero problems, but the dimmable feature is only worthwhile for hobbyists. I also have a 1000W digital greenhouse(very future-brite like) that I bought used. It has a fan in one end. I have had zero problems.
Recently I bought a CAP 1000W digital. Price was right and I've been curious. It has two fans, that are supposed to be thermostatically controlled. They dont shut off so I dont know what the thermostat is set at, but I like it. Built in user diagnostics. Hangs like a charm. Is so lightweight and small it seems like I could fit it in my back pocket. Supposedly will run a bulb like 75 feet from ballast... I dont know about that but sounds good.
I did have a bulb problem with the CAP, but I think it was bulb related. Got the cheap bulb from discounthydro. Expected a little better bulb, it was a super cheap china made death weapon, thats what it was! Hehe, hooked everything up and it started fine. Everything was good so I started moving plants underneath it. Was about to put a plant under the light(open hood), when I stopped to play with my dog. Was about 5 feet away with back turned when she blew. Scared the fuck out of me. I dont know how the plants survived glass flying everywhere in giant shards, but in the end only one leaf fell and some panda burnt... Sent the bulb back and had a new Hortilux shipped. No problems since.
Well except for light rails, gotta love em but they are a constant arse pain to me.
Recently I bought a CAP 1000W digital. Price was right and I've been curious. It has two fans, that are supposed to be thermostatically controlled. They dont shut off so I dont know what the thermostat is set at, but I like it. Built in user diagnostics. Hangs like a charm. Is so lightweight and small it seems like I could fit it in my back pocket. Supposedly will run a bulb like 75 feet from ballast... I dont know about that but sounds good.
I did have a bulb problem with the CAP, but I think it was bulb related. Got the cheap bulb from discounthydro. Expected a little better bulb, it was a super cheap china made death weapon, thats what it was! Hehe, hooked everything up and it started fine. Everything was good so I started moving plants underneath it. Was about to put a plant under the light(open hood), when I stopped to play with my dog. Was about 5 feet away with back turned when she blew. Scared the fuck out of me. I dont know how the plants survived glass flying everywhere in giant shards, but in the end only one leaf fell and some panda burnt... Sent the bulb back and had a new Hortilux shipped. No problems since.
Well except for light rails, gotta love em but they are a constant arse pain to me.
montanaorganics
Member
I've got the cheap chain driven one and the 3.5. Everytime the 3.5 is adjusted the cord is messed up and has to be adjusted so it doesn't catch the wall or cord or plants etc... Still wouldn't trade them. Surprisingly the chain driven one I have had zero problems with.
Greenmopho
Member
I might consider the Galaxy's over the Lumateks for my next job based on what you guys have been saying here. Is there a massive price difference?
I,m Lumatek all the way....then again haven,t tried anything else..but after two yrs. and not a problem running 600 watt 240,s..I haven,t a bad thing to say about them.I have seen problems with the 110 version tho,.I,m gonna try the new Lumatek dimmables ones mostly for vegging,but time will tell how they will work.Seems all the digital makers are in a race to get the most bells and whistles on their product.Makes for sales no doubt.
IMHO I think there are 3 or 4 main dig.manufacturers who put out good products and it all boils down to My Chev is better then your Ford.
They sure as hell are better then the old magnetic ones.
jarff
IMHO I think there are 3 or 4 main dig.manufacturers who put out good products and it all boils down to My Chev is better then your Ford.
They sure as hell are better then the old magnetic ones.
jarff
MediScrogs
Member
My fave ballast is a Cool Blue digital 1k. It dims to 800/600, runs 120/240 v without changing cords, and I got it shipped to me for $230 total. Top that !
Bozo
Active member
Well I had a 1000 watt 120 volt lumatek that lasted 1.5 years.it didnt affect any other equipment except wireless mouse in next room .
I just bought 4 quantium 600s and fans are kinda loud,louder than a new magnetic (much cooler than a lumatek thou) .Also effects the co2 controller I bought.It is a cheap co2 controller but it works fine once you get it away from the ballasts.Remote wireless temp sensor was also effected by RF interference.
I dont know what fcc reg 18 is but I am having trouble with the RF interference produced by these Quantium 600 watt ballasts .
When one has to plan equipment around a ballast theres gonna be problems .I have a room with all magnetic ballasts and a chhc-1 my only hope is that the higher quality chhc-1 will work in the room with the Quantiums.
I just bought 4 quantium 600s and fans are kinda loud,louder than a new magnetic (much cooler than a lumatek thou) .Also effects the co2 controller I bought.It is a cheap co2 controller but it works fine once you get it away from the ballasts.Remote wireless temp sensor was also effected by RF interference.
I dont know what fcc reg 18 is but I am having trouble with the RF interference produced by these Quantium 600 watt ballasts .
When one has to plan equipment around a ballast theres gonna be problems .I have a room with all magnetic ballasts and a chhc-1 my only hope is that the higher quality chhc-1 will work in the room with the Quantiums.
cannaboy
Member
It is possible to rum CMH bulb as well as HPS on a lumatek digi ballast and the new duo 600w digi ballast has a super lumen and a dim switch it is supposed to be the brightest product on the market as many companys now are selling a 600w when really its more like a 750w. Lumatek also make a digi 750w to compensate for this market gap check out there site.. the duo is my new ballast but the green 1 with the ajustawattage is dark! However I have since found I can put 2 bulbs on 1 reflector with the mantis pro that is if you buy a few and use 2 Bulb holders and brackets and set them boath on 5 with this new duo I think it will pound it out.. Powerplant adaptor Cord Set with iec socket
Converts all PowerPlant Pro Reflectors into IEC Plug reflectors. This adaptor allows PowerPlant's Reflectors to be used with any IEC ballast. Supplied with a 4m cable.
£15.99
Converts all PowerPlant Pro Reflectors into IEC Plug reflectors. This adaptor allows PowerPlant's Reflectors to be used with any IEC ballast. Supplied with a 4m cable.
£15.99
gardenlover
Member
Cannaboy, please tell me how you know that cmh on lumatek's? Do you know if the life is shortened running on digitals because they were designed to run on old ballast's?
cannaboy
Member
I don't know don't care really if life is shortened they work for 13 + weeks then I'd buy new ones anyway I have not noticed dull or flickering and it says CMH/HPS on the box
HenDokuYaku
Member
cannaboy,
could you please tell us a little more about your experience with the green galaxy select a watt ballasts. You weren't happy with them? Did you ever try a 1k bulb or just 600s?
Thanks!
could you please tell us a little more about your experience with the green galaxy select a watt ballasts. You weren't happy with them? Did you ever try a 1k bulb or just 600s?
Thanks!
gardenlover
Member
Cannaboy -I may have to go all digital then, i just assumed it would not fire in a digital. What brand of CMH are you using, I will order a few.
KindBudKid
Member
Quantum Horticulture digital ballasts.. Got a couple 1k's and never ad any problems... Can dim from 100%, 75%, and 50%...
KBK
KBK
