Digital Ballasts...Worth It?

[jamstigator]

I have a digital 400-watt Lumatek ballast, with which I've been very happy. I just ordered a 1k light, non-digital, not here yet, so can't comment on that yet except to say: 55 pounds (for the ballast/bulb/cordset/reflector), jeez. I think digital ballasts are worthwhile. Haven't seen many digital 1ks yet; I think I'll wait a while before getting one of those, in case they haven't got the kinks all worked out yet. If I'm not confident in 1k digitals by next summer, I may get a 600-watt digital to use during the hot months. I have no prob with the extra heat of a non-digital 1k in the winter; in fact, it saves on the heating bill!

As for the radio/cable/satellite RF interference issue: I think that was just the initial round of production, before the manufacturers realized that was an issue. I don't have that problem with the Lumatek ballast, and it's not far at all from my satellite line coming in and my satellite service's DVR, and there are no interference issues. I wouldn't worry about that at this point; I'm pretty sure they're all shielded well now to prevent that.

[JackdaWack]

most new digital blasts comming out, have little to relitively no sound. and remain alot cooler and also are more efficient, saving ur bill and ur bulb.

[Dutch Pimp]

..I have been reading about growers....having short bulb-life...with the new digitals....beware of the quality....

[crazywill]

:rasta: Hello To All
Well my 400W Galaxy Electronic ballast Just got here from (1000Blubs.com)
Cant wait to reset up my closet and take those shop lights out.To see what kind of heat it gives off I set it up in the garage and plug it in.The ballast gets warm but not so you can't pick it up and hold it.It dose start up slow and there's no noise.I have the 6"ECONO COOL REFLECTOR with a HPS blub.
After about 1 hour and 1/2 I put my hand under it about 3"in away and keep
it there for around 5 mins. and it wasnt hot.I put my hand on the reflector
on the top and it was getting hotter.After 2 hours I put a 3"x3"x2" fan that moves air at 25 CFM's set in the 6" air inlet,Just this little fan cooled the reflector down to where I could put my hand on top of the reflector and hold it there for a few minutes.The RF interference I did'nt have any at all,so thats one more good thing about these's ballasts.I got the reflector /cordset/ 2 blubs HPS&MH and ballast for $322.95 us dollars.I 'am counting the shipping too.But I ordered from 2 places{plantligthing Hydroponics}and {1000Blubs.com}.The one thing I really like is one ballast runs both HPS & MH blubs.
In the next week I going to set up the light in the closet and finish the flowering of my three girls.When they finish I'am setting up my diy dirp hydro with 4 eigth inch net pots with clones from the three girls that are flowering now in soil.The clones are in 1.5" sq rockwool cubes so it will be easy to place them in the net pots with Hydronton rocks.This will be my frist Hydro grow.This is my third inside soil grow,I have grown outside in the woods and around,but never inside with this much control over the progress of the grow.
For the past few months i have been reading all the threads and got two books one by Ed Rosenthal & Mel Thomas that I'am reading right now,So we will see how all this go's.I hope all this go's like clock work.But I'am still going to grow in soil too.I'll post some pixs soon.So far I like the electronic ballast.
Sorry about rambling on But I got some new toys.:dance:
Have A toke on me.:rasta: