How much more efficient are digital ballasts?

blueybong said:

mindphuk said:

"Electronic ballasts don't have a short life expectancy but muffin fans do."

I sold electronic components for 22yrs and I'll bet a capacitor/diode/chip/etc will fail before the muffin fan will. Today's component technology is far ahead of what was available just 10yrs ago. Surface mount technology, pick & place machines have almost eliminated the need for the human hand when it comes to assembly, which was the cause of 70% of the failures, IMHO.

I'm using Digital Greenhouse(probably private labeled) from HTG Supply and it has preformed well.

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I have the same ballasts. They deliver all the benefits already described. If the fan failed, I'm sure it could be replaced even more easily than any electronic components. And HTG has given me fine service and support. Cheap bulbs I bought there that failed were replaced with upgrades, if you are a known customer they will discount your business, and their order fulfillment and shipping is efficient if not cheap.

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blueybong said:

mindphuk said:

"Electronic ballasts don't have a short life expectancy but muffin fans do."

I sold electronic components for 22yrs and I'll bet a capacitor/diode/chip/etc will fail before the muffin fan will. Today's component technology is far ahead of what was available just 10yrs ago. Surface mount technology, pick & place machines have almost eliminated the need for the human hand when it comes to assembly, which was the cause of 70% of the failures, IMHO.

I'm using Digital Greenhouse(probably private labeled) from HTG Supply and it has preformed well.

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That's surprising since I have had fans die on all sorts of things from computer power supply, Tivo, video card coolers, etc. I have had electronic ballasts running on my reef tank for 6 years without any problems and hear about similar longevity from other hobbyists. BTW, these are PFO brand ballasts.

Yes the fans can be replaced but the warranty on the Lumatek is very good and using that link I supplied above, I paid about $10 less for that ballast than HTG charges for their 600w.
And if you need more light, the dual 600w is even cheaper than 2 individual ballasts.

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mindphuk said:

blueybong said:

That's surprising since I have had fans die on all sorts of things from computer power supply, Tivo, video card coolers, etc. I have had electronic ballasts running on my reef tank for 6 years without any problems and hear about similar longevity from other hobbyists. BTW, these are PFO brand ballasts.

Yes the fans can be replaced but the warranty on the Lumatek is very good and using that link I supplied above, I paid about $10 less for that ballast than HTG charges for their 600w.
And if you need more light, the dual 600w is even cheaper than 2 individual ballasts.

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Douche Nozzle said:

Anyone own one? Personal opinions? Bumpity.

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