Costs seem to be higher than I expected for lights

[catterkang]

What is the going price for a quality 1000w hood+ballast combo? I have found it to be around 400$ I want to buy something in a package since it seems to usually be the better deal but everything sold in combo deals seems to not be quality. Where can I buy Lumatek/quantum/galaxy ballast with a quality hood from a website?

Also looking for advice on a good source to purchase lights and fans. I only know of HTGsupply.com but they give me a cheap feeling, would greatly appreciate any knowledge you got of good sites to buy my gear from. I am looking for a 1000w set up that isn't cheap, capable ventilation, I am buying an AC unit because of the 90-100 temps around here during the summer.

Edit: The room I plan on growing in is a shed that I insulated, The shed is 13 feet long(wide?) stretching along the side of the garage, once you get inside it is only about 5 feet straight ahead to the wall which is the garage wall. The ceiling slants down towards the door, at the low point inside the shed it is 6'6", the higher side is 8'6". My dad threw some plugs in the ceiling on each side of the room when we were insulating.

 

[hippydan]

400$ is going to be pretty normal for a "bundle" yes. You can shop around and buy things piece by piece if you don't mind doing the wiring yourself to save a bit of money.

 

[catterkang]

Yeah, I am sure the wiring isn't too tough. I have a noob question, I can buy any ballast and just wire up the parts into any random hood and then buy whatever bulb runs with the ballast best?

 

[Maj.Cottonmouth]

It is saying I dont have permission to personal message you.

You have to get to 50 posts before you can send messages.

 

[FreezerBoy]

Yeah, I am sure the wiring isn't too tough. I have a noob question, I can buy any ballast and just wire up the parts into any random hood and then buy whatever bulb runs with the ballast best?

Better to wire the parts into a remote ballast box. All you want in the reflector is the lamp.

Well that stinks. I guess I have to post more than needed for a couple days.

Please don't. That's called turbo posting and can see your post count reset to 0.

 

[tr1ck_]

I personally had great luck with Greners. They have a couple 1000w packages, two of them have good ballasts:

http://www.greners.com/packages/gro...gh-performance-grower-grow-light-package.html
http://www.greners.com/packages/grow-light/1000-watts/super-awesome-package.html

They both come with the Lumatek 1000W dimmable & multi watt "more lumens" electronic ballast and Hortilux 1000W super HPS EN high intensity grow light. The only difference is the hood.

 

[Leroy Brown]

Any reason you're opposed to magnetic? Even if they were the same price I would actually prefer magnetic.

 

[tr1ck_]

Any reason you're opposed to magnetic? Even if they were the same price I would actually prefer magnetic.

I don't want to speak for the OP, but I assume the power savings, and less heat are two of the reasons (Those were mine at least)

 

[Sam the Caveman]

I found a ss2 hood and magnetic ballast on ebay for 200 shipped to my house. Magnetic ballasts are quality, my opinion on electronic/digital is that they are hit or miss and may cause interference with cable companies.

 

[Leroy Brown]

I found a ss2 hood and magnetic ballast on ebay for 200 shipped to my house. Magnetic ballasts are quality, my opinion on electronic/digital is that they are hit or miss and may cause interference with cable companies.

Yeah me to, and the fucking thing was supposed to be almost brand new, the manufacturing & repossession dates even confirmed that it was only used for 3 months, this was hyped in the auction & confirmed when I got it...........



But opening it up showed that it had a new capacitor or ignitor, but the core itself had been through hell & back, years of use & overheated like a mofo- melted wires & everything.

After that experience I would never buy a used ballast off e-bay again.

 

[Greenheart]

http://www.ecogrow.com/index.cfm/product/1098/mid/7/nid/29/home.html

click on the coupon link for another $30 off.

I am quite content with purchase even if it was a tried and true magnetic. (8yr warantee) what's not to like.

 

[allouez]

Best price I've found for bulbs is 1000bulbs. Cheapest 1000w ballasts I've tended to find on ebay, 100-150$ when including shipping.

 

[FreedomFightr]

My Local Hydro shop sells sunsystem magnetic combo's starting at $200. That's with a 1000w ballast, Bulb, and a non air cooled hood. Another $50 you can upgrade to an air cooled hood. Digital ballast are cool and have more flexibility in regards to wattage. I like magnetic because they are rebuild-able. Also they are cheap and tried and true.

 

[Sam87]

Check out Igrowhydro.com

They have decent priced package deals, reliable, quick to ship, so on and so forth. They'll leave hydrofarm logos over everything if you don't ask them not to, though. And I'd skip the Lumateks, and hit up Quantum if you feel you really need a digital. Magnetic ballasts are your good buddy. . .

As far as fans, you can't get cheaper than plantlightinghydroponics.com

Heard some sketchiness on their ship times and customer service, but I've placed four orders with them so far, and never experienced a hitch.

 

[Phillthy]

cheap is expensive as you usually have to buy it twice

 

[SmokinErb]

http://www.plantlightinghydroponics...digilux-hps-electronic-grow-light-p-1881.html

$489. Every component is pretty top notch right there. Galaxy ballast, Super Sun 2 hood, Digilux bulb. Add a MH bulb for another $40. They have a cheaper bulb option with the same ballast and hood for $459 I think it was.

Edit: I just ran the numbers, and it's actually cheaper to buy each part individually.

1000w ballast - 300
SS2 hood - 110
Digilux bulb - 70

Total cost - 480.

 

[dansbuds]

check out these guys ...Bettergrowhydro
http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/itemdesc.asp?ic=HLBADILT10360&eq=&Tp=
this is a 1000watt lumitek digi ballast ... but they have alot of magnetics too & complete kits with any style hood .
I use them alot ... they have quite abit of good merchandise @ resonable prices & they're customer service is what keeps me going back .

damn i sound like an ad agent for them

 

[catterkang]

I was checking out http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/customkititems.asp?kc=HLHPS10SS2&eq= , I am too broke to buy a digital ballast I have realized with all the other costs I have coming in too. Which ballast would you go with out of the couple I have to select from? I have made attempts to look at information on the brands but can't find anything but links for more shit they are selling. Valuline, Harvest Sun, Crop master are the three brands, adding a lumatek is 190$, 190$ is gonna buy my ac unit and a small fan so just tips on magnetic ballasts is where I am at. Thank in advance and thanks for all the responses I received so far, wasn't expecting it at all.

 

[420ish]

i have ordered from htg numerous times and never had a problem with anything.

 

[Bunz]

http://www.igrowhydro.com/Package-Yield-Master-6-1000.aspx

$229.00 before shipping. Want to upgrade to a Hortilux bulb, add $30.00