Lumatek Ice Pack

[Agent-Smith]

Lumateks do go bad from overheating, you just don't hear about it.

I agree though, this fan is just another way too make money until they get off their asses and just start building them with built in fans. If they really want to sell ballast fans make the fan that's built in replaceable so when it does go bad you can just buy that instead of a new ballast.

 

[Snagglepuss]

thanks for the idea...im digging out the gobal wins and other computer heatsinks i have.Im gonna mount one for free....whooohoo great idea..

 

[Snagglepuss]

Im guessing grinding down the heatsink fins would void the ballast warranty.That would work best to get the best metal to metal contact...Here's a few ideas..A min cage blower,with some kind of duct to force the air over it...If i grind it down i could mount the superorb...We'll be comming up with something....

 

[OG BURNT UP]

The reason they use external fans is because built in fans could fail. This way you can just buy a new fan if it fails.

 

[Muleskinner]

That fan seems like a joke for the money. You can buy a cheap 12 inch desk fan for 10 dollars and cool 4-5 ballasts with one fan.

no shit - that's what I do. Or just position your ballast near an exhaust or intake where air is flowing and it will be noticeably cooler.

little computer fans don't do shit. I've got a 6-inch Fantech pumping air in & out of my tent, just put the ballast near the exhuast vent.

Keeping any electronics cool will help the components last longer.

 

[RonSmooth]

The ballasts dont need a fan but Lumatek was watching their sales go to ballasts with built in fans. They made one to meet the demand in the market.

At least its removable/replaceable and inexpensive. The mounting bracket is nice for those who like a clean look as well.

If the ballast requires a built in fan it is poorly made. What happens when that little shit fan fails? Or when it starts squeaking or whining? Why add another unnecessary component?

 

[hawkwindzoo]

Add on fans a bit of a afterthought in design-poor

 

[RonSmooth]

Adding fans at all is design poor. I would rather have an external unit that could be replaced should it fail.

As far as an add-on fan, it looks pretty good.

Again, I think Lumatek was just giving the people what they wanted or think they need.

 

[gus738]

this is indeed true.

Just a thought, but your ballast will run much cooler (less than half the heat) if you simply plug it into 220v instead of 120v. With the added bonus of being slightly brighter, and not adding something else to fail..... Ultimately if you are having heat issues, adding a fan to your ballast isn't going to solve them. All the fan will do is move you heat to another part of the room. Up your exhaust, cooling, or switch to 220v.