Roll_that_shmoke
Member
Just a simple question. Is there a "top of the line" magnetic ballast I can buy or are they all pretty much the same. Seen a pretty decent one on Amazon for 80 bucks.
And it's worth about that much. Find another light source, you'll thank me later.Just a simple question. Is there a "top of the line" magnetic ballast I can buy or are they all pretty much the same. Seen a pretty decent one on Amazon for 80 bucks.
Google and mail order let you shop the world, broWould Lowes or some thing sell that. In my area that's probably close as I would get. We have no hydro stores and all the plant nurseries are mom and pop places with not much advanced equipment at all inside
All of this is bad or outdated advice. No one makes ballasts in America anymore, they're ALL Chinese made. They're cheap because the tech is old and amortized. They are very reliable so needing local support isn't a big issue.There are definitely varying degrees of quality anyways. I don't think a $80 ballast from amazon would qualify as top of the line. I'd say american made ballast would be better built than a chinese made one. China has horrible quality control. That being said I've ran the cheap $100 sun systems ballast with no issues. I'd probably suggest buying your ballast from a brick and mortar store near you, that way if the ballast quits working the store could fix it for you under warranty.
Bad advice? No body asked about cobs bro. If dude is trying to find a cheap 80 ballast then what makes you think he has $600+ dollars for a 3 cob light? The only thing I didn't check was if ballast are still made in the US because OP could research him self. As far as mag. ballast there isn't a lot to judge them on beside quality of build.All of this is bad or outdated advice. No one makes ballasts in America anymore, they're ALL Chinese made. They're cheap because the tech is old and amortized. They are very reliable so needing local support isn't a big issue.
That said, they're obsolete. Get a full spectrum COB LED fixture and you'll be happy with the results.
Johnson Grow Lights
Northern Grow Lights
And many more.
If you want good results, start with good equipment.
COB LED from a reputable maker, I listed some. Everything else is obsolete or amateur hour.Don't mind me I'm just still researching all light options from mag, led, and digital. I'm using 8 cfl's right now but I've heard the magic don't put out rfi unlike the digital. But led flood lights seem kick ass from the videos on YouTube I've been watching.
Yeah, no hid in there but I think even cob would be too hot for that as well. Small led would work or yeah just some cfls. For hid or cobs I'd say you want something a bit taller, like a 2'x2'x5' tent. CFLs will get you some smoke but you'll have to do some reading to find what combo to use. Cheers man and good luck.@thenotsoesoteric holy fuck. Those are some nice plants. @ttystikk I checked out he sites for the led's a bit expensive for my wallet. I'm just growing for personal use and to have extra when company comes over. My grow space isn't big at all. Even when I get an actual grow tent it wouldnt be big. My space now is just a 45 gallon tote turned on the side and sprayed flat white inside. Hid might melt the paint off the inside, so I figured the flood lights may be good too.
I've seen the videos where a guy literally bought a 3000k flood led and had some huge buds.
I would love to have the cobs also, but I can't replace my hids with less than about $4000.00(to replace 6kwatts) and that's if I had the knowledge to build them myself. I will definitely be going that direction next year. Medical expenses are stripping my budget right now!And it's worth about that much. Find another light source, you'll thank me later.