Benefits of a Digital Ballast

I currently have 4 400 watt HPS lights. I am thinking about upgrading to 1000 watts. I am wondering what the benefits of a digital ballast are? Also, is there a big difference in output, etc in the different brands or is a 1000 watt light fixture the same across the board and it is really the bulb that makes a difference? I appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

Faster start up time...usually less then one minute vs magnectic ballast around 20 minutes.
Quiter, Smaller not as heavy. Less Heat
Digital can use both HPS and MH Bulbs
Mine is super quiet and hanging from ceiling joist.

ProPlayer420 said:

Faster start up time...usually less then one minute vs magnectic ballast around 20 minutes.
Quiter, Smaller not as heavy. Less Heat
Digital can use both HPS and MH Bulbs
Mine is super quiet and hanging from ceiling joist.

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Thanks for the info. Do you think there is a big savings in electricity? My power bill is an extra $500 a month running 4 400 watt lights 12/12. Does the brand of light make a difference or is it really the bulb?

ProPlayer420 said:

Faster start up time...usually less then one minute vs magnectic ballast around 20 minutes.
Quiter, Smaller not as heavy. Less Heat
Digital can use both HPS and MH Bulbs
Mine is super quiet and hanging from ceiling joist.

Click to expand...

Wow, I don't know what kind of magnetic ballasts you use, but mine takes less than 2 minutes to completely "warm up" from the first spark.

Farm Friend said:

Thanks for the info. Do you think there is a big savings in electricity? My power bill is an extra $500 a month running 4 400 watt lights 12/12. Does the brand of light make a difference or is it really the bulb?

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500 a month for an extra 1600Watts? holly crap man...

mannurse801 said:

500 a month for an extra 1600Watts? holly crap man...

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How many extra watts are you pulling and what is it costing you? The power bill is a killer. throw in a heater, venting & a dehumidifier we are talking an extra 600 a month YIKES.....I am wondering if it is just due to the lights we are using?? It sounds like there are better options .....

I am only a quarter what you are pulling, so I can't really compare. My space is only like 20 square feet, so not much at all. My heater goes off when the lights come on. I relly on drying crystals to take the humidity out of the air, and I am only runny a 26 W fan. 400 W light, I am pulling maybe an additional $50-75/month.

Farm Friend said:

Thanks for the info. Do you think there is a big savings in electricity? My power bill is an extra $500 a month running 4 400 watt lights 12/12. Does the brand of light make a difference or is it really the bulb?

Click to expand...

man hate to tell you but you must be using more than that....ive got 20 lights running.....air pumps, water pumps, cloner, intake, exhaust fans, and living in the house and i am just barely pushing 500 a month in electricity

I am stumped too. we live in the house and our monthly total is 700- 800 a month. Before the grow op, it was between 200-300 a month. hmmm very suspicious I say.....

man thts probuly 500 a month w ur heat! heat is expensive as fuck mines $1 my bill is like 350 funning 500 12/12 250 18/6 but my heat is wats so expensive

I try and use the exhaust from my tents to heat my house...almost like free heat...think about it...I exhaust my room that stays at 70-80 degrees...what do you think the exhaust air temp is....it warms up the house no problem...just route yourself some ducting from your exhaust fan to a bedroom or living room

500$??

Holy shit. how much are you paying kwh?

If my bill jumps anywhere near that @ 1200w 12/12 I may just have to cancel my op.