Who makes your favorite Magnetic Ballasts?
- Thread starter Megas
- Start date
G
greenmatter
i have a hydrofarm ballast that is probably older than some of the folks on this site. never ever had an issue with the thing, but i imagine every company has produced a few "lemons"
hydrofarm has never been the cheapest thing on the shelf either
hydrofarm has never been the cheapest thing on the shelf either
I have used many Advance by Phillips with very few issues. 100 bucks can't go wrong. Peace GS
Megas
Member
When it comes to anything electrical I'm the least likely guy in the room to screw around with it. I would definitely pay extra for quality over something that might burst into flames.
G
greenmatter
Megas
Member
Okay so I can't seem to find any of those brands here in Canada from reputable dealers. If you know where I would be able to order them up here let me know. Anyone ever heard of Lightspeed Series Hydrotek? It might be a Chinese made in house brand for canadianwholesalehydroponics.com for all I know.
LeeROI
Member
Your first post mentions Gavita--that's professional quality.
Myself, I buy the Advance (Philips) kits NOS (new old stock) off ebay and build 'em myself in NEMA metal enclosures. It's good to know your limitations--I'm not recommending kits for electrical newbies.
I do have a Hydrofarm Powerhouse 600w which works great but someone posted a picture of a burnt "lock and seal" lamp cord connector. I wire my kits straight to the lamp which avoids that possibility.
Myself, I buy the Advance (Philips) kits NOS (new old stock) off ebay and build 'em myself in NEMA metal enclosures. It's good to know your limitations--I'm not recommending kits for electrical newbies.
I do have a Hydrofarm Powerhouse 600w which works great but someone posted a picture of a burnt "lock and seal" lamp cord connector. I wire my kits straight to the lamp which avoids that possibility.
HF Powerhouse series 8 year warranty.
Megas
Member
That is one serious warranty, I guess it makes sense they are $300.
Have you guys ever used digital ballasts I keep reading about how they produce EMI or something and how there has been numerous incidents with the cable company knocking on peoples doors about the issue.
hydrofarm for sure,had 10 year old ballast that ran like champs the whole time i had them,never a single problem with any of the 6 im currently using...
Re: Who makes your favorite Magnetic Ballasts?
Go for the heavy "value" lines. Either cheapest/2nd cheapest. Magnetics are generally bulletproof. More important is your relationship with the shop you are buying from, you need them to extend no questions replacements or move on.
Go for the heavy "value" lines. Either cheapest/2nd cheapest. Magnetics are generally bulletproof. More important is your relationship with the shop you are buying from, you need them to extend no questions replacements or move on.
i am curious about that.....do you happen to have a link you can pm me....or post on here if it is appropriate to post links.
I have never had any issues with RF interference. I have used Lumatek,Quantum,Cap Nano. All of these worked with no issues. These are not magnetic. If your looking specifically for mag's Hydrofarm Xtrasun 1000W are fine 130$ or less..I dont think you would see any differences in performance with mag's. There solid ballest old school very easy to repair..
Megas
Member
i am curious about that.....do you happen to have a link you can pm me....or post on here if it is appropriate to post links.
Google: Digital ballast internet. Should get you started.
I can't seem to find any name brand magentic very well at online Canadian retailers. Anyone have any issue with dealing with hydrofarm directly?
a few options, either buy a quality transformer off of ebay, like advance and wire it yourself. there wired for 4 or 5 tap 120 208 240 480. throw it in a metal enclosure and you got a great ballast that will last years.
the sun supply hps or switchables have major brand if u get the ss1s or ss6. hopefully they got rid of that dumb plastic on off switch that would melt on 1000s
gyntwaiser
New member
iv been using old vossloh schwabe ballst 4 long time.+600w planta star bulb
They dnt even sell tht models vosslohs anymore, but u can still get spare parts.
Old greenhouse ballast.
Never really needed to update, cuz its been working.
They dnt even sell tht models vosslohs anymore, but u can still get spare parts.
Old greenhouse ballast.
Never really needed to update, cuz its been working.
