digital
- Thread starter rabbit229
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chronicuser85
Active Member
proped i wanna know the same thing
bossman88188
Well-Known Member
There is only one digital company that makes a reliable product. Galaxy IMO.
I was told by my future bright dealer that theres and lumatek have failure rates.
And galaxy's dont.
I was told by my future bright dealer that theres and lumatek have failure rates.
And galaxy's dont.
OrganicOzarks
Active Member
I have Lumatek, and I have had to have it replaced once. I must say that everything will break at some point, but what matters is how the company responds to such an incident. I took mine right down to the hydro shop and they gave me a new one. It sold me on them. I have never ever had such an easy time getting a company to replace a damaged or defective item. I believe they have a 3 year replacement on them.
As far as bulbs the Agromax has 95,000 lumens just like the Hortilux, but it only costs around $50. So I have been using the Agromax.
As far as bulbs the Agromax has 95,000 lumens just like the Hortilux, but it only costs around $50. So I have been using the Agromax.
bossman88188
Well-Known Member
I would give the props to the hydro store.
Most I asked about that laughed at me.
So I bought mine from the only place that offered that same deal.
That is great customer service and deserve the business.
do digital save money on energy bill's if so what % would you be looking at
i run lumateks on my high end reef aquariums and they have been flawless, as soon as funds allow i am going to be switching to them for my grow. galaxy are nice too and if im not mistaken they are owned by the same parent company or are manufactured at the same plant in china. i dont remember which, but it basically boils down to them being very similar and BOTH are very good. Neither "save/use less" power(not cheaper), they more effectively use whats there,ie. less heat. i can touch my lumateks at any time and not get burned.
iv been told and read many times they save you money? so digitals only keep your room cooler
Back to the origenal question - "Do digitals save money on power?"
The good news is, yes. The bad news is, not much.
1. A "regular" balast (a magnetic, or "core and coil") will use about 10% additional wattage, above and beyond whatever the bulb is rated for. For a "600 watt system" that would be about 60 watts, for a total of 660 watts.
2. Digital (or "Electronic") balasts tend to use about 30% less power than magnetic ones. So, for a "600 watt system" that would be about 40 or 42 watts, instead of 60 watts, for a total of about 640 or 642 watts.
3. That means a savings of a lousy 18-20 watts, overall. Big woop!!!
Don't get me wrong! There are lots of other good reasons to go "digital", saving a bundle on the electric bill is just not one of them!
The good news is, yes. The bad news is, not much.
1. A "regular" balast (a magnetic, or "core and coil") will use about 10% additional wattage, above and beyond whatever the bulb is rated for. For a "600 watt system" that would be about 60 watts, for a total of 660 watts.
2. Digital (or "Electronic") balasts tend to use about 30% less power than magnetic ones. So, for a "600 watt system" that would be about 40 or 42 watts, instead of 60 watts, for a total of about 640 or 642 watts.
3. That means a savings of a lousy 18-20 watts, overall. Big woop!!!
Don't get me wrong! There are lots of other good reasons to go "digital", saving a bundle on the electric bill is just not one of them!
bossman88188
Well-Known Member
Not even a noticeable difference IMO.
They do seem brighter though what I was replacing was old.
They do produce much less heat. So IMO they are worth the money If you get the right ones.
I.E Galaxy IMO.
dhhbomb
Well-Known Member
http://www.growlightexpress.com/grow-light-ballasts-3/electronic-ballasts-22/nextgen-600-400-watt-digital-ballast-920.html
this is the one im gonna buy after some research and talking with some local dealers saying these had almost no returns defaults and the only person on the web i found that had a problem said CAP exchanged it with no questions right away
this is the one im gonna buy after some research and talking with some local dealers saying these had almost no returns defaults and the only person on the web i found that had a problem said CAP exchanged it with no questions right away