Magnetic vs digital ballast

[emerald city]

Heres the story
We just burned up[or at least smelled real funky] a sunlight supply duel 600 watt hps ballast..Tho we bought the 2 pair of lites over 5 years ago ,real hours of use have been minimal.Mostly in the spring time to start veggies for the farm.
Have been online looking but it appears that the duel 600 watt ballast have been discontinued as i cant seem to find them offered as a new replacement item....Here's the ??
First off i was wondering if anyone else had experienced problems with that type of ballast,or new where to find a replacement.
Question 2...Im in the market for new ballasts,3 maybe 4,110 volt 1000 watt hps's...Im familar with and trust the hydro farm units with thier 8 year warrentee but am courious if digital ballasts have come far enough to be trusted to preform when your business depends on them..Are the digital ballasts up to the challange of commercial greenhouse aplications??
All opinions and ideas are apreciated.Thankx E/C

 

[MIway]

Hi EC~

Kinda related, and I'm wondering if it's an issue w the duals all the way around, is that this guy recently picked up 3 or 4 dual luma's... I know that 2 didn't work outta the box... or rather, only one half on each.

Warranties are enough at one of the wholesalers is now repairing vs replacing... but this is over all the gear, not just the ballasts.

Makes you wonder about this shit (most all hydro gear), no?

But for what it's worth... I still spec c&c's.

 

[mrpotatohead]

I'm currently running six magnetic ballasts. I tried a lumatek last year and I didn't like it. It ran extremely hot compared to a magnetic and interfered with my wireless camera system. It also blew every bulb I tried to use with it. Even if it worked right, I still don't see any reason to buy one over a magnetic ballast. If a magnetic ballast tears up, you can open it up and replace whatever is bad but if it's a digital ballast, it has to be sent back to the manufacturer. I just don't think you can beat a good magnetic ballast and a Hortlux bulb. I really like Extrasun convertibles but sunsystems and hydrofarm are good too.

 

[Neo 420]

I have seen lots of labs with digi's. Most work but there are still issues with a percentage of units. I personally stick with the mag's until the defective rate and price comes down with the digi's.

 

[skunktoker]

Never had A problem with my digital ballasts And I prefer them over the magnetic would never change back ......ST

 

[stoney-trees]

I have seen lots of labs with digi's. Most work but there are still issues with a percentage of units. I personally stick with the mag's until the defective rate and price comes down with the digi's.

I dont think your lumatek ran hotter than your magnetic. If so, it was indeed messed up.

I have a 600watt future brite electronic ballast from about 4-5 years ago. Still running strong. Only had a small break here and there. So many power outages I cant even keep track of.

I also have a 1000 watt magnetic which works flawlessly as well. It is indeed noisier, much hotter, and 20 times the weight as the electronic. You can do curling exersizes with the damn thing.

 

[Haps]

I run all magnetic, cheap, dependable, safe, UL listed. If you can hear your ballast, you ain't running enough fans.
H