BEST Ballast brands?

unkle mouse

Active Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #1

here is what I have found so far
appollo
ipower
thunder
ulti-lumenx
solis tek
lumatek
is one better than the other I did see a 5 yr warranty on 1 of them
I am currently in veg, with 20-23wt 5oook CFL, 6 plants/ soil/indoors/ looking to go to a
600wt cool tube w/reflector hps/mh, digital
pic is in negative with lights on,

 

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mrCRC420

Well-Known Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #2

I have an iPower 600w dimmable - super sweet and super inexpensive. Not the best overall, but I really like it. I'm still using one ballast chopped straight out of some rich ladies green house like 6 years ago.

 

A

anzohaze

Well-Known Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #3

I rub galaxy's and had no problem since purcgase 2 years ago

 

bass1014

Well-Known Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #4

imho i would go with the APALO 600 dimable with a cool tube hood.. get both bulbs with a kit for about $275..

 

bass1014

Well-Known Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #5

what ever you do do not get the MTN GEARSMITH bought on in a pinch and it burnt out in 10 mnths on 12/12

 

unkle mouse

Active Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #6

that was fast
TY

 

qwizoking

Well-Known Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #7

Yea....
What makes a more expensive ballast better..
Got apollo 600 watt cool tube shipped to me for 189.
Bulbs aren't the best but I used the their hps bulb about a year before it went out
Ballast itself kicks ass.. haven't noticed any rfi....will be getting another one pretty soon

 

unkle mouse

Active Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #8

I am a AMAZON shopper thanks,, keep um coming

 

B

Buzerek

Active Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #9

bass1014 said:

imho i would go with the APALO 600 dimable with a cool tube hood.. get both bulbs with a kit for about $275..

Click to expand...

I got mine 600W dimmable Apollo with both bulbs, timer, hangers and the heavy glassed 6'' cooling hood off ebay for $175 shipped.

Can't beat that!

Works great, screw all LED's in the world for now!

THE PARTY IS ON LOL

 

dlftmyers

Well-Known Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #10

http://www.ebay.com/itm/18093370901...eName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

unkle mouse

Active Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #11

well that beats amazon by about $15,,, did not know that

dlftmyers said:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/18093370901...eName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Click to expand...

 

AimAim

Well-Known Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #12

I got good vibes for Apollo. They do have consumer support if needed.

 

fir3dragon

Well-Known Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #13

Remember rf interference. I highly suggest a quality ballast.

hydrofarm phantom
soils tek matrix
then there's the advanced nutrients one
and of course lumatek these are the ones off the top of my head.

 

unkle mouse

Active Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #14

best to all of yall, I was kinda leaning towards them, APPOLLO,, haven't completely made up my mind just yet,, still gotta get threw dec-25th. ya kno... thnx

 

kinddiesel

Well-Known Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #15

I have 4 different kinds. 300 ones and 90 dollar ones. still cant talk on the phone lol walk down the street

 

unkle mouse

Active Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #16

I hate it when that happens

kinddiesel said:

I have 4 different kinds. 300 ones and 90 dollar ones. still cant talk on the phone lol walk down the street

Click to expand...

 

qwizoking

Well-Known Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #17

Apollo does have shielding...I've never noticed any interference at any distance

 

fir3dragon

Well-Known Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #18

unkle mouse said:

best to all of yall, I was kinda leaning towards them, APPOLLO,, haven't completely made up my mind just yet,, still gotta get threw dec-25th. ya kno... thnx

Click to expand...

I got a hydro farm phantom ballast. I upgraded from a 400w magnetic htg supply one.

I love the 600w phantom.. I can touch it with my hand and hold it there and it won't burn. It's warm, but not enough to burn it.
it's got two built in breakers in case anything bad goes to happen it's got status lights for warm up etc. (when you first turn it on they blink indication the bulb is warming up)
if a power outtage or the power flickers, it has a 15 minute built in timer to keep the bulb from blowing. What that does is it ensures the bulb is cooled down.

I guess I should also add, I don't get any interference on my tv internet or home phone. I got dish tv so idk if it's strictly cable it effects. I love my ballast and won't get another until it fails.

 

unkle mouse

Active Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #19

is the one?http://www.amazon.com/Phantom-Digit...167&sr=8-1&keywords=hydrofarm+phantom+ballast

fir3dragon said:

I got a hydro farm phantom ballast. I upgraded from a 400w magnetic htg supply one.

I love the 600w phantom.. I can touch it with my hand and hold it there and it won't burn. It's warm, but not enough to burn it.
it's got two built in breakers in case anything bad goes to happen it's got status lights for warm up etc. (when you first turn it on they blink indication the bulb is warming up)
if a power outtage or the power flickers, it has a 15 minute built in timer to keep the bulb from blowing. What that does is it ensures the bulb is cooled down.

I guess I should also add, I don't get any interference on my tv internet or home phone. I got dish tv so idk if it's strictly cable it effects. I love my ballast and won't get another until it fails.

Click to expand...

 

fir3dragon

Well-Known Member

• Dec 11, 2013

• #20

unkle mouse said:

is the one?http://www.amazon.com/Phantom-Digit...167&sr=8-1&keywords=hydrofarm+phantom+ballast

Click to expand...

Yup, thats it only I got mine from eBay. I forgot to tell you, my ballast has both ends built in the cord so you won't need no adapter. You can use any reflector without worrying about a adapter