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Twentyinches
03-01-2008, 04:53 AM
400w MH ballast.... go electronic or magnetic? I heard elec one's aren't that reliable. Anyone have any input?
Dutch Pimp
03-01-2008, 12:48 PM
The biggest problem with digital ballasts; is finding bulbs that are compatible with the ballast. The first time the light doesn't come on: you don't know whether it's the bulb or ballast?

Lots of problems reported with digitals, so if you buy one...get it from a local shop...(not online) ..so you can take it back as needed.

Best thing about magnetic ballasts. UL rated, 5 year warranty, rarely have problems...:thumbsup:
Paht_Hed
03-01-2008, 04:03 PM
Electronic ballasts are said to prolong bulb life and some can actually give you a better spectrum from your bulb if you use the right one. They last longer than magnetic ballasts supposedly.
Twentyinches
03-01-2008, 05:55 PM
The biggest problem with digital ballasts; is finding bulbs that are compatible with the ballast. The first time the light doesn't come on: you don't know whether it's the bulb or ballast?

Lots of problems reported with digitals, so if you buy one...get it from a local shop...(not online) ..so you can take it back as needed.

Best thing about magnetic ballasts. UL rated, 5 year warranty, rarely have problems...:thumbsup:

Now I havn't heard that one, if 400w digital, then 400w bulb etc. which aren't hard to get. Same for 600 or a 1k. But the last part you said is what concerns me, because I have heard this as well where it doesn't turn on.

And if you buy anything from a shop, it will be $100+ more. But yeah those sunsystems have 5 yr warranty which is nice, I suppose the little extra juice to run it would be worth it for piece of mind knowing it's rare for those to go out.
GaGrown
03-02-2008, 07:09 PM
It's not rare for a magnetic ballast to fail.. Most of the time it's the capacitor. Esspecially with several power outages in the summer when the electrical grid is at it's max....
Dutch Pimp
03-02-2008, 07:54 PM
It's not rare for a magnetic ballast to fail..

fail when?....first year? ..or 6th year?
Twentyinches
03-02-2008, 09:47 PM
fail when?....first year? ..or 6th year?

I'de like to go with 10'th myself lol...
GaGrown
03-02-2008, 09:54 PM
fail when?....first year? ..or 6th year? Yeah! It's not the coil that fails,it's the components :pimp:.. The coil will last almost forever. The heat will cause one to fail.With most growers doing the personal thing,and nothing commercial.... I'll go with the sixth year. Then some!!!!:thumbsup: I don't know what it is about you???? I just like ya,:pimp:!!