Quantum or Lumatek? Which runs cooler, and which do you prefer?
- Thread starter slowandeasy
- Start date
I've been reading every thread I can find on digi ballasts lately. I pretty much ruled out the Lumatek's cus there's just too much documented issues for me to spend my money on em. I also read about a few growers issues with the Quantums, but not many. I found very little info from growers about the Phantoms, but what I did find was great.
After speaking with a hydro store I go to every now and again, they told me that the Phantom has been their best selling ballast in the past year +. They have only had to replaced one unit because a grower used an improper timer. They also sold alot of quantums, but had 6 returned in the same amount of time. They have since stopped carrying the Quantums.
I asked about the 5 year warranty, and I was told if it breaks I can bring it back to the store...they'll give me a loaner (same model) until the manufacturer replaces or fixes the unit.
They didn't have any ballast to bulb issues either. I'll let you guys know how it goes.
After speaking with a hydro store I go to every now and again, they told me that the Phantom has been their best selling ballast in the past year +. They have only had to replaced one unit because a grower used an improper timer. They also sold alot of quantums, but had 6 returned in the same amount of time. They have since stopped carrying the Quantums.
I asked about the 5 year warranty, and I was told if it breaks I can bring it back to the store...they'll give me a loaner (same model) until the manufacturer replaces or fixes the unit.
They didn't have any ballast to bulb issues either. I'll let you guys know how it goes.
budleydoright
Member
I like the galaxy it can switch from 1000, 600, 400. o I can fire a 400 halide with it.
All digital ballasts are made in china, anymore they almost all look the same.
I bought 4 600w lumateks real cheap off craigslist, 2 failed and were replaced over the counter same day.
All digital ballasts are made in china, anymore they almost all look the same.
I bought 4 600w lumateks real cheap off craigslist, 2 failed and were replaced over the counter same day.
C
chefro420
Digitals are relatively new technology, maybe ? One friend swears by magnetic ballasts and won't touch a digital . I had one lumatek fail after about 6 months , got a new one mailed out in a few days .
I spent alot of time researching before buying my first digital.I looked for whatever the easiest problem or flaws could be with each model.The Lumatek has lots of documented failure rates and problems ,with the early models.
The Quantum gets great reviews ,but i view the fan as the eventual achillies heel.The only ones almost nobody ever complains about are the Galaxies.Thats what i got ,4 years going strong and will get another when the time comes....
The Quantum gets great reviews ,but i view the fan as the eventual achillies heel.The only ones almost nobody ever complains about are the Galaxies.Thats what i got ,4 years going strong and will get another when the time comes....
I've been lucky with ballast, I found that both have worked for me very well, but because of the new technologies today I use lumateks and to be honest I've never had an issue with them at all they are quite, stay cool because of their long fins and i swear the make the bulbs a little brighter than my magnetic, that being said I feel comfortable using either other. I've heard tho that lumateks won't work well with all bulb brands especially hotrilux bulbs, I started using this ushio german bulbs and never looked back....
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chefro420
Much more reliable , that's why my friend swears by them . Easy to replace parts, prob just as much $$$$ to buy new though . I think the capacitor or some other part degrades and you lose lumens over time though . Sure someone else can explain a lot better.....
I'd be curious about capacitor fatigue. Amps have capacitors and not thinking they degrade, but I really like the idea of stability and fix-it-yourself. I don't frequent local grow stores so that's not a quick fix for me.
So as not to continue to hijack this thread, I started another: https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?p=4726375#post4726375
So as not to continue to hijack this thread, I started another: https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?p=4726375#post4726375
budleydoright
Member
I agree. You won't see one of these companies names on a building in China. They all come from a few different assembly lines in China. If you've got the $$$ to buy 500 units. You can have your own brand.
My Lumateks that failed had the Hydrofarm sticker on them, one call to lumatek, one to hydrofarm and one to their local dealer who swapped me out based on the manufactures date code. No receipt.
It was definately the retailer/distributor that made the difference on my level of satisfaction.
The color of the case is probably their biggest difference with the latest generation.
Glad i found this thread
i run around 4+ hoods on a rotator, with an assortment of ballasts.
I actually prefer this setup as it allows me to mix different spectrums (HPS lamps), frequencies and watts (by mixing different sized ballets) in my 10x10 space and get even results. I find mixing equipment with a rotator is like growing with a full spectrum+
On a side note ive found some ballasts are just built shitty. I have a 120v 400 watt lumatek which runs hotter than my 1000w sunlight suply, my sunlight supply is on 240v but still.... My 600s are coil on 240 and while they can use less amps than some of my digital ballasts of the same size, i find they do run slightly hotter and produce that horrible hum that make my wash room in to a full blown equipment room....
On that note. Not all of this equipment was ran on the same circuit or voltage but clearly not all ballasts are created equal. I certainly have my preferred brand but i find it varies with make, model, and year.
And, the only ballast that ever blew wasn't my fault and was a coil. Had a buddy training a worker and he accidentally showed what happened when you plug a ballast wired for 120 in to a 240 outlet... After explaining why not too. (Needless to say, but they all lost their jobs shortly there after)
i run around 4+ hoods on a rotator, with an assortment of ballasts.
I actually prefer this setup as it allows me to mix different spectrums (HPS lamps), frequencies and watts (by mixing different sized ballets) in my 10x10 space and get even results. I find mixing equipment with a rotator is like growing with a full spectrum+
On a side note ive found some ballasts are just built shitty. I have a 120v 400 watt lumatek which runs hotter than my 1000w sunlight suply, my sunlight supply is on 240v but still.... My 600s are coil on 240 and while they can use less amps than some of my digital ballasts of the same size, i find they do run slightly hotter and produce that horrible hum that make my wash room in to a full blown equipment room....
On that note. Not all of this equipment was ran on the same circuit or voltage but clearly not all ballasts are created equal. I certainly have my preferred brand but i find it varies with make, model, and year.
And, the only ballast that ever blew wasn't my fault and was a coil. Had a buddy training a worker and he accidentally showed what happened when you plug a ballast wired for 120 in to a 240 outlet... After explaining why not too. (Needless to say, but they all lost their jobs shortly there after)
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nukklehead
Active member
they can .. its called magnetic with just a little maintenance.... ( tongue in cheek..lol) will wait till digis/and you guys evolve a little more before jumping ship.. till that me and ole ironside will chug along..
budleydoright
Member
I know there's info out there on these but can you boil it down to what makes these better?
i have seen the humbolt ad ad it does look nice. Can't air cool though. Are any of these manufactured outside of china?
If I could buy a US made digital, I would pay a premium for it.
This still being a small industry and community. It would be nice to see an organized effort to purchase products made in North America. A lot of the manufacturing of our grow equipment has been offshored and much of the stuff is junk.
olddirtybastard
Member
i run older lumateks, after about 4 years had to replace one 600w lumatek(fuse kept blowing), the newer ones are much nicer wow! you can tell they put time into improving on their design so i will stay with lumatek, especially since i still got 2 old ones running in top condition after 5 years.
Still tho even with a ton of issues i would NEVER go back to magnetic ballasts, digital light gets you about 15% gains in lumens tested with a light meter.
Still tho even with a ton of issues i would NEVER go back to magnetic ballasts, digital light gets you about 15% gains in lumens tested with a light meter.
nukklehead
Active member
tu shay.. change the oil ( capacitor) every 5000 miles and they will run forever... I will upgrade (eventually) to digis.. but like to let you all sort out all the bugs
