Best 600 watt ballast?

[Templar]

Hi folks, title says it all, I'm a new grower - got a 300watt duel spec cfl at the moment thinking about maybe getting a hps light as an upgrade.

Didn't realise the newer lights can be dimmed I doing a small stealth grow so 400w i think would be the max for heat i could manage - but this should help improve amount of light.

There's so many out there Lumatek 600watt seems to get good reviews from people looking around the £100 mark.
There's also Omega ballasts that look OK but need advice.

I have a question about the Lumatek ballasts looking at pictures from sellers I have seen on ebay/amazon/ and there own sight there's seems to be a few different 600w digital ballast with different dimmed settings.

The lumatek website says the 600w model has 250W, 400W & 600W + super lumens settings.
Ive seen other lumatek 600w digital ballast with dimmed settings for 400w. 400 w SL, 600w, 600 SL
And one with same as first but with no super lumens setting
One starting at 360w,400w,600w and super lumens options

Are these just older / different models that have been released? These were all for the 600w digital ballast.
Or are there fake models going about?

I didnt want to buy one without asking

These are the three im thinking about - but anyone with experience/knowledge would help alot.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Fuzzy Duck]

Lumatek is pretty good been using their 400 w super lumen for a few years now.

Indeed they do have 3 models back in the day it was just set wattage per bulb type for a ballast, dimmable have been around for a few years aprox & those are just newer models.

The only thing about super lumen function is that if you want to use their own brand of hps or dual spec bulbs as they are design/strengthened to operate at higher wattage about 10% aprox... other wise cheap or other brands of hps etc will blow quite quickly & would be very lucky to get more than 2 complete grows out of it.

 

[Cultivator]

lumatek is good but over priced. Lumi ballasts are the ones to go for. they are much cheaper than lumatek and do exactly the same job. Ive used most brands and ive never had a lumi fail and i just think they the best value for money.

 

[Templar]

Thanks for the replies folks.

I ended up getting a deal with lumatek ballast / bulb /reflector and an oxi pot -which has an air pump louder than an earthquake need to have a wee look for a silent pump now, or maybe build a little sound proof box - i have some sound dampening material might work for housing the noisy little pump.

 

[Templar]

Hi again folks, just a small update about Lumatek ballasts - I just bought one but thinking of returning it after reading this and getting something else - Im a total newbe about ballasts did one grow years ago with cfl - due to worry about heat /fire with other types of lights

https://www.--------.org/t/lumatek-does-not-honor-their-warranties.367382/

any thoughts? OR nothing to worry about?
thanks

 

[Templar]

I have also noticed a difference in the lumatek boxes if anyone can help - there are some boxed with labels saying Powerplant

Some dont have this and looks like the boxes are a little older? Im not sure - the supplier i bought it from says its the new 2016 model 600w with 250w/ 400w/ 600w/ 660w options but the box looks like older non powerplant lables?

I had a look at the lumatek website it shows a picture of my model - but under the detailed description for the 600 watt verion has supper lumens option instead of 660w option.

Looking at the thread i posted above the company seems like its going down hill - I think my best bet is to return the one i bought - not even sure its the newest model in all honesty and there seems to be no warranty with them now?

 

[Cultivator]

i cant see the link. I dont use lumatek simply because they are over priced and i buy a lot of kit. However ive never had a problem with them when ive used them in the past. I dont think theres anything to worry about using them as long as you are not over loading the power it be fine.

 

[Templar]

Ok thanks cultivator - i wasnt sure if linking other sites was ok its the roll it up website it doesn't seem to be working adding a link if you google - Lumatek does not honor their warranties its the first result. It was basically a few people have had problems with them - people with hydro shops and customers all saying similar thing.

I havent been able to try the ballast out yet I ordered an Adjust-a-wing reflector but the shop sent me a similar much cheaper version - not sure if it was an honest mistake or tying to con people, so sorting that out with them at the moment

 

[Cultivator]

you wont be to link it on here mate. but you should have no probs with them mate, i would have no prob using them apart from the price.

 

[Templar]

Would you recommend a separate contactor - i didnt know anything about them until last night but just by chance i have already been using a Lumii 24 hour heavy duty timer which has an in built contactor up to 600 w ballast i think maybe more. What are contactors used for? - is it just to protect a normal 'household' timer or are they needed for an other safety reasons?

thanks

 

[Cultivator]

contactors are used so you dont overload the timer. the lumi timer should work fine.