CaptainCAVEMAN
Well-Known Member
True the Plantmax is much chepaer because it lacks the similar spectrum and is no where near the same lumens. You get what you pay for.
Digital Ballest suck!!!
- Thread starter PeachOibleBoiblePeach#1
- Start date
hoagtech
Well-Known Member
Well as far as lumen output goes. You can acheive much brighter lumen outputs using a digilux digital bulb with a nice digital ballast (quantum/nexgen/lumatek/phantom)
Digital bulbs run at a higher frequency then non digital bulbs. They are digital only not "digital ready" which makes a big difference because "digital ready" like eye's dont produce the same high frequency output as a digital bulb. if you get a luxmeter. the digilux outperforms an eye or sunpulse by at least 10,000 lumens per 1,000w hps.
So while your paying the same for your input as a magnetic. your getting more usable light for the energy used. I saw a guy grow 300 plants on this site recently using one 1,000w digilux in hexagonal 5" pvc room.
Also they use less amps than a magnetic so you could use more on a circuit without tripping the breaker
and that other stuff I said (extra cord length, high frequency, Silent, less heat, wall mountable, digital ready, multiple bulbs, multiple watages, dimmable bulbs, and super lumens)
Digital bulbs run at a higher frequency then non digital bulbs. They are digital only not "digital ready" which makes a big difference because "digital ready" like eye's dont produce the same high frequency output as a digital bulb. if you get a luxmeter. the digilux outperforms an eye or sunpulse by at least 10,000 lumens per 1,000w hps.
So while your paying the same for your input as a magnetic. your getting more usable light for the energy used. I saw a guy grow 300 plants on this site recently using one 1,000w digilux in hexagonal 5" pvc room.
Also they use less amps than a magnetic so you could use more on a circuit without tripping the breaker
and that other stuff I said (extra cord length, high frequency, Silent, less heat, wall mountable, digital ready, multiple bulbs, multiple watages, dimmable bulbs, and super lumens)
Which digital ballast are you running that you claim is 100% silent? in my room, the loudest thing is the quantum 1000w ballast. Yes louder than the inline fan. And no my ballast is not broken. I have 2 and they are both not silent. The fans inside are loud.
hoagtech
Well-Known Member
Yup same with nex gen. They have little fans in em. The phantom by hydrofarm is my favorite right now. Its completely silent and can be mounted or placed vertically.
Medical Grade
Well-Known Member
Dihital ballasts don't like dirty power, hook them up to a UPS for best results and clean power.
cassinfo
Well-Known Member
That's funny because that's what the digital ballast said about you. Fuk Peqchoibleboiblepeqch!
Nullis
Moderator
I am not sure I would get a digital ballast with a built in cooling fan, considering that would probably be the first component to fail. But, I have been running a 400 watt Lumatek for months now (with a cheap Plantmax bulb) without issue. Currently I am running it alongside an older 250 watt magnetic ballast which definitely puts out more heat than the 400 watt Lumatek.
Again, no issues whatsoever. No interference with my computer, which is about 6 inches away from the ballast, or any other electronic devices. Virtually no buzzing noise compared to the magnetic. Love the Dial-A-Watt feature. Love it. love it. love it. My household wiring is good and I use a heavy-duty Intermatic timer.
Again, no issues whatsoever. No interference with my computer, which is about 6 inches away from the ballast, or any other electronic devices. Virtually no buzzing noise compared to the magnetic. Love the Dial-A-Watt feature. Love it. love it. love it. My household wiring is good and I use a heavy-duty Intermatic timer.
hoagtech
Well-Known Member
Well it gives off RF. so you wouldnt be able to tell with a pc plugged in. Its noticeable though radiowaves like an fm radio, and broadcast tv. EMF would disrupt a pc or tv signal.
DocGreenThumb
Well-Known Member
I have a cheap 600 watt digital greenhouse ballast and it works great, low heat and quite. I have a 250watt magnetic by it and it is way hotter and louder(hums). I have had absolutely no issues with this digital ballast so far.
Not sure what the deal with yours was.
Not sure what the deal with yours was.
Magnetic Ballasts do give off EMI (the term is EMI) electro magnetic interference. Modern electric appliances have to have EMI suppressors built in to stop interference with TV and Radio communications. That goes for Digital Ballasts aswell.
Ive got my 600w Lumatek very close to my TV Aerial and amplifier. No problems whatsoever.Scroggsy.
Nullis
Moderator
It is supposed to be shielded, at least the output cord is (for Lumateks).
I remember long ago there was a beware of the digital ballasts post that said if you tuned your fm radio to a certain frequency it would reveal a loud drumming noise that was the signal from the ballast. Of course, when I actually tried it all I heard was static.
I remember long ago there was a beware of the digital ballasts post that said if you tuned your fm radio to a certain frequency it would reveal a loud drumming noise that was the signal from the ballast. Of course, when I actually tried it all I heard was static.
hellraizer30
Rebel From The North
Rf signal is still a issue in digi's they have alittle better shielding but is still there, just running 1 or 2 low watt ballasts are ok
but any large scale grow with more than 2 1000s would sent a loud RF signal and would be easy to pick up. your nabours radio/
TV/ nabours cars driving bye or god forbid a cop drives bye.
but any large scale grow with more than 2 1000s would sent a loud RF signal and would be easy to pick up. your nabours radio/
TV/ nabours cars driving bye or god forbid a cop drives bye.
Im running a Lightwave 600w digi ballast and phillips hps bulb, no issues after at least 7-8months. However I also have a mag 600w running beside it and no issues with that either. Neither is loud or hot and I cant notice any light difference between them. So im not so sure about all the hype of the digi ballasts as Ive never had a problem with magnetics that is fixed by digis.
hellraizer30
Rebel From The North
thats cuz its all hype!! the only cool thing about a digi is the dail down ability, BUT WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO DO THAT!
you buy a ?watt digi and dail it down. if thats the case just save money and buy a smaller ballast.
you buy a ?watt digi and dail it down. if thats the case just save money and buy a smaller ballast.
A Lumatek ballast is absolutely silent.
If yours isn't...there's your problem.
I would guess 90% of you who had digital problems, failed to buy the proper bulbs.
It is a common mistake.
My neighbor works at one of the biggest online grow shops in the country, and he says they get far less digitals in for service than magnetic. I believe him because he has more experience than any of you.
Millions have been sold around the world, and 10 or 15 of you who likely do "cab" grows with little experience, hardly change the facts.
Just by using the word "Suck" pretty much disqualifies your opinion from the equation.
If you went to a magnetic ballast thread, you would see just as many people saying they suck.
Word: Buy from a local grow shop. If you have a ballast problem, they loan you one while they warranty yours.
It is a common mistake.
My neighbor works at one of the biggest online grow shops in the country, and he says they get far less digitals in for service than magnetic. I believe him because he has more experience than any of you.
Millions have been sold around the world, and 10 or 15 of you who likely do "cab" grows with little experience, hardly change the facts.
Just by using the word "Suck" pretty much disqualifies your opinion from the equation.
If you went to a magnetic ballast thread, you would see just as many people saying they suck.
Word: Buy from a local grow shop. If you have a ballast problem, they loan you one while they warranty yours.
PJ Diaz
Well-Known Member
poind3xter
Member
My Quantum digital ballast works incredibly well. A few things...
1. Why would anyone NOT want a digital ballast? The heat issue alone is enough to justify their purchase.
2. If you think digital sucks stop buying cheap shit off of ebay, or wherever. You get what you pay for.
3. I like being able to dial down the power. Works great for early veg.
1. Why would anyone NOT want a digital ballast? The heat issue alone is enough to justify their purchase.
2. If you think digital sucks stop buying cheap shit off of ebay, or wherever. You get what you pay for.
3. I like being able to dial down the power. Works great for early veg.
racerboy71
bud bootlegger
or the summer time when it gets hot as balls and you can't run it at max wattage.. plus, the advantage of being able to run both mh's and hps bulbs w/out having to get conversion bulbs rocks..
