Lumatek air cooled 1000 watt ballast

[Full Of Peace]

Has anyone tried the Lumatek 1000 watt air cooled ballast? For some reason they are a little cheaper than the regular model.

 

[o2much4me]

I had the same question. I "heard" Lumatek were getting a few back so they added a model w/ a fan. I also noticed some can have a additional fan mounted on top of the ballast. I think a wall fan cooling the ballast was easiest really. I am having trouble talking myself into updating from old magnetic ones....

 

[Cali MedPatient]

I don't have any air cooled ones, but they make two models of 1000w. One is 240v only and the other will do 120v or 240v. The 240 only is cheaper.

 

[FlowerFarmer]

Havnt tried a new air-cooled lumateks, but I prefer the solid feel of the regular sealed units. The air-cooled units just feel cheaper. In my opinion sealed is the way to go so that the components never see dust..nor do you have to worry about the tiny fan failing.


The air-cooled unit looks to be capable of 400w, 600w, 1000w vs. the regular units 600w, 750w, 1000w.


Lumatek has had lots of problems with their regular units, but I still feel they are awesome units when ran at 240v. I've have several 240v only 600s and they are rock solid, tiny, and barely get warm to the touch. The Dual voltage thousands are heavy units (compared to other electronics), but have never missed a beat on my watch.


Look into the Phantom. They are rock solid sealed units as well. Local store around here reps them for zero failure rate.. they sell Quantum, Lumatek, and Phantom. They say the Quantums and Lumateks come back occasionally..the Phantoms do not.


Whichever you choose.. just get them from a shop with a reputable return process and hope they don't fail outside of the 3yr warranty. Sealed has a better chance of going the distance in my opinion vs the aircooled unit.

 

[Cali MedPatient]

Good point FF, get them from a good shop that does fair returns. My local shop will swap out any Lumatek that fails without question with a brand new one. I do have a lot of failed Lumateks, but when they fail I get a brand new one because my shop has great service, so it's no big deal for me. If I lived far from a shop, or they had a shitty return policy, I'd look at other brands.

 

[Full Of Peace]

Good point about the dust and fan failure. The regular units are fourty dollars more than the air cooled but maybe there is a reason for that.

 

[Hydro-Soil]

Good point about the dust and fan failure. The regular units are fourty dollars more than the air cooled but maybe there is a reason for that.

Possible that by adding the fan... they were able to use a(or several) cheaper components. Or a lot less of something. R&D is fun...

Interesting about the 0% phantom rate.... perhaps I'll change from mags in a few years. Have to see how long these non-failing phantoms are lasting.

Still love being able to 'fix' any mag problem in minutes with $30-40 worth of parts.... on the spot. RMA sucks...even if it's just down the block.

Stay Safe!

 

[OldSSSCGuy]

The 'cooling fan' they now offer as an option is just a rather cheesy 4" computer fan mounted in a pretty purple frame that you put in top of the ballast and plug into the 12v receptacle on the ballast - if yours has that 12v outlet.

Put the ballast(s) on s shelf and set a clip-on fan over them. Just pay attention to where the hot air blows or you'll be adding temp to your room.

 

[Karmic Farmer]

I've been using Phantoms for a couple years now and couldn't be happier, no issues at all. My good friend uses Lumatek's and has had a couple different issues in the same time frame that have required service. The Lumateks get the job done though, as long as your local hydro store gives out loaner ballasts during the service period like mine does you should have no worries. I would go with the Phantoms though unless you are getting a very good deal. Flower Farmer was spot on with his post above. Another plus to the Phantoms is when you use the 75% or 50% settings for a lower power draw like the drop down on the 1000 watt to the 750 or 500 watts, you are actually drawing that wattage after the initial 10 minute warm up period drops it down to the wattage set. Some other brands (I forget which) just dim the bulb but still draw the full 1000 watts on any setting.

Peace,
KF

 

[FlowerFarmer]

To avoid any confusion in regards to Lumateks.

There are new air-cooled units which I believe is what the OP is referring to. No experience here myself.

and they have their regular units...of which the newer units have a small port that allows you to add a cooling fan/ice pack.

My experiences are with the regular units (both 240v and dual voltage units). My models do not have a spot for the ice pack nor do I think its necessary if running in a cool location or at 240v.


My vote is for the sealed units ran at 240v.... or of course Hydrofarm's Phantom. My friend does all the returns for the local shop (of which feed several locations). I trust him when he tells me whats reliable and whats not. So far.. the Phantoms cannot be beat. They also run damn cool to the touch if you run them in a vertical orientation @ 240v.

 

[OldSSSCGuy]

Hydrofarm's Phantom looks really gnarly too. I have some Hydrofarm magnetic ballasts still in service after more than 10 years, they make good lights.

 

[Full Of Peace]

The phantoms are nice looking ballasts, I think I'll give them a try.

 

[FreedomFightr]

Or you can wait a year or 2 and buy these direct from the manufacturer. Like you can now with the older Lumatek style ballast. You can buy them alibaba.com direct from the place that makes them. They just wont say Lumatek on them.

 

[SacredBreh]

Just ordered two.....

Just ordered two.....

Have been using Lumatek for year and live by them.

These new ones are looking good in my book. I usually shy away from fan cooled due to fan failure but have never tried one from Lumatek. Years ago I used some Future-Brite when the electronic first became affordable. Had a $2 fan failure that ruined a ballast and almost started another..... have never used a fan cooled since and mount ballasts on fire proof Wonderboard since.

The dual voltage 120/240 and multiple bulbs 400W/600W/1000W make these to nice to pass up. If they stand the test, I will be switching over completely. Just the savings of electricity, and labor in moving lights and equip with use changes make them totally worth it. Can switch to 400w bulbs when acclimating new clones then throwing 1000w back in with flip is priceless. Running 1000s way up high for couple of weeks every crop until the new ladies develop their tan and settle in adds up over the years.

Will pop these open as soon as they arrive and take pics if interested. Voids warranty but honestly have only sent one Lumatek back in 10 years of multiple in continuous use! I will be ordering fan back ups immediately. Like Aero growing, always have any failures planned ahead of time. (second pump on hand) Everything will fail eventually. A $2 computer fan on-line is very affordable prep. Type in the serial and order right away.

Peace

 

[Hydro-Soil]

Or you can wait a year or 2 and buy these direct from the manufacturer. Like you can now with the older Lumatek style ballast. You can buy them alibaba.com direct from the place that makes them. They just wont say Lumatek on them.

Careful... just because it was produced on the same manufacturing line as Lumatek's... is no guarantee they'll be as reliable as Lumatek's without the logo...

When I'm looking for a mfg for my product... I have to specify the quality of the materials being used and a hundred other different things. So... same mfg line but different company saying what to use means the potential for a -very- different product.

You've been warned.

Stay Safe!

 

[Fly by Night]

Yup got the air cooled 1000W for $199... Got her at 240v drawing half the amps wooooohoooooo! Peace