Ballast Concern Questions

Hey guys and gals,

So I'm still planning my room and I've been looking at different kids of ballasts. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the one found in the link at the bottom of the post. It is 120 and 240v, and watt changeable. What I'm worried about is the brand, I don't know a whole lot about brands of ballasts, are there ones better than others. If so which is the best to go with? Also, I would still need to get my own socket, correct?

http://store.professionalgardening.com/Item_Detail.aspx?ItemCode=342400&title=Le-Premium-Switchable-Ballast-Kit-1000w-Mh--Hps-120v--240v.aspx

Thanks for your time!

you should be fine check on it once and a while at first to be sure there is no production errers or problems with wires

After a while magnetic ballasts will start to hum, sometimes quite loudly, and they all get hot,, sometimes quite hot!
Yours looks quality though so this won't be a problem

Have you looked at digital ballasts in your research? Not only do they most run HPS and MH, many are dimmable

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1000w-MH-HPS-Hydroponic-Dimmable-Digital-Ballast-1000-750-600-Watt-120V-220V-HID-/120998004730?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2c0b07fa

digital ballast all the way... IMO magnetics are a fire waiting to happen

I've yet to hear of one burning up, but they sure get hot enough to get me paranoid! lol
Digital everything...if I can

maxibright digi-pro dimmable all the way.................................................

Thanks for the input guys! I will pass on that one and get a digital ballast!

i started out with a galaxy 600. i have had no probs with it. now, i have a galaxy dimmable 1000. either ballast, has interchangable cords, you just plug in the cord u want, 110, or 240. works automatically. they run cool. make no noise at all. i have had good luck with them. i have em mounted on a wall. lol. i like the idea my dimmable. as if it were to get real hot one day, one would only have to turn it down to 600, or 400, to limit heat, without interupting the cycle.

thanks blindbaby, ya I will be going with a dimmable one, and that is a great reason to do so, thanks for the tip.

One more question, I see some sites saying their ballasts are electronic. Is that the same thing as digital?

pretty much, i believe

PersonalJesus said:

pretty much, i believe

Click to expand...

Maybe. Ask.
Describing it as "electronic" is marketing Bulls%^t. It could be either magnetic or digital...