Who Makes the Best Digital Ballast?

Josh1r

Josh1r

Active Member
I was going to say check out the 1000w solis tek digital dimmable ballast but 420hydro & Pj beat me to it by a few days :D
 
Rrog

Rrog

Well-Known Member
You don't see many references to the MicroMole. Only one place sells it. not many forum reviews, but it sure seems solid. The Solis-Tek looks sweet also. Seems like Solis-Tek and MicroMole might be a cut above Quantum and Lumatek.
 
Rrog

Rrog

Well-Known Member
Some of these off-brands are simply private labels of some other ballast. They scare me.
 
Dennis Rodman

Dennis Rodman

Active Member
HYDROFARM PHANTOMS FOR ME.

dimmable at 60/75/100 and run super cool.
they can be vertically wallmounted.
have a sweet handle.
run very cool.

quantums are good too, but i dont like the built in fan.
 
Hotwired

Hotwired

Well-Known Member
My digital Infinity 1000 watters (brand name is now Galaxy) have lasted for 4 years now and are still going strong. My digital Galaxy 600 watters are going strong for 3 years now. They have worked very well for me.
 
D

dougoly

Active Member
I inherited my digital galaxy 600w from my dad after 5 years of use and an still growing strong with it.
 
Rrog

Rrog

Well-Known Member
do you ever operate them in a dim mode? Or are yours before that feature came around?
 
smokingrubber

smokingrubber

Well-Known Member
Mine are all dimmable, but no I've never changed the settings. Honestly... I'm scared, and they work great, so why shake the cage?

I take that back ... I ran two of them at 750 watts for 1 day once. I thought they were starting to burn a section, but the distance was fine so I added some Magnezium and turned the lights back up the next day. I would never change the settings while the bulb is lit. Other than that, always at 1000 watts.
 
Rrog

Rrog

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the info. I've become a real skeptic of the whole dimability value.
 
smokingrubber

smokingrubber

Well-Known Member
Dimmable ballasts represent the most current technology. When you're spending top dollar, you definately want the lastest technology imo.
 
RawBudzski

RawBudzski

Well-Known Member
I have been running my two lumateks 600w dimmable ballests for about 2 years 24/7. On all day everyday, w/ a small fan blowing on them. I keep them dusted off well cause depending on the area.. they can get covered in dust & its a bitch to clean. You need pipecleaners & crap.

Only DOWNSIDE TO DIMMABLE BALLESTS :: o_O Don't forget to make sure your switch is on 600watts.. for an entire grow I had 1 of my lights on 360watts. -_- I was wondering why my plants were smaller than usual.
 
Hotwired

Hotwired

Well-Known Member
Rrog said:
What is an example of a three way ballast?
Click to expand...
The ones that do the 3 most basic wattages - 400, 600 and 1000

I guess you can call them "dimmable" but they are really a digital switch type ballast. Here is a link:

http://www.sunlightsupply.com/p-11884-galaxy-select-a-watt-electronic-ballasts.aspx

Just wanted to clarify that these ballasts will let you use all 3 types of bulbs (400, 600 and 1000), OR 1 bulb that is the highest wattage for that particular ballast. For example using a 1000 watt bulb and dimming it to 600 or 400.
 
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