legallyflying
Well-Known Member
Error # 1 they are much more expensive.... I got my digi 600 dimmable lumateks for $175 A magnetic 600 is like $120 Is $50 dollars considered allot of money?OK, heres the deal on dig ballasts.
Pros: Much lighter (weigh less) & burn MUCH cooler. They are a little more efficient. They do draw slightly less power and produce slightly more lumens compared to magnetics. Some of the newer ones offer a "dimmer" option (which is not particularly useful IMO). When you dim the ballast IT DOES NOT DRAW LESS POWER. Running a 1000w dimmable ballast on the 500w setting STILL DRAWS 1000 WATTS.
Cons: MUCH more expensive. They do cause RF (radio frequency) interference in some cases. Using multiple (10+) ballasts have caused peoples power meters & climate controllers to act up. If you use the "superlumens" switch on Lumateks they burn out your bulbs insanely fast. Not all digital ballasts are generator ready (do your homework). NextGen's are not UL listed (if i'm not mistaken) so if they cause a fire your insurance WILL NOT COVER IT.
Error # 2 "they use the same power when the are dimmed" this is not true at all and I'm not sure where this stupid ass myth started. The luatek adds even started adding the (reduced power consumption when dimmed) statement on their adds so people wouldn't be so dense. If it was drawing 1000 watts and only sending 400 to the lamp, where would that other 600 watts go?TO some nternal resister? They thing would be glowing red it would be so hot.
The other big advantages not listed are: No reduction in lumen output over time like magnetics and none of that annoying fucking hmmmmmmmm.
Let me see... more efficient, cooler running, great lumen output, no reduction in output over time, utterly silent AND they are only 25% more expensive. Ummm, yeah; there is a debate on this subject?