Much has changed and much has been learned about digital ballasts. Frankly, the jury is still out on the digi vs mag ballast debate.
Yes Digital are lighter, yes they are extremely quiet, yes they cost more to purchase, no they do not cost less to run, yes they do produce more usable light for the plants, most modern digital ballasts are shielded now, some still are not, usually the cheaper knock off brands. Magnetic Ballsts are old, tried and true technology with little issues beyond, hot, heavy, inefficient and cheap.
#1 Issue remains,
finding bulbs able to run their full life expectancy on digital ballasts.
I have researched this and poured over the forums, the overwhelming amount of reports are of definate premature failure of most bulbs when run on digital ballasts.
Sun Pulse claims to have the only bulbs made specifically for digital ballasts, however, the reports on grower forums are these bulbs fall short when it comes to comparative yeilds in side by side tests with hortilux.
I am hearing possibly now the Digilux bulbs may be better suited for digital ballasts, however more on the ground reports are needed to conclude this thread.
I want to believe digital ballasts are the way of the future, but I will need more confirmation from the industry and grower forums before the final vote. I will try to get back on this as my research pans out.
Oh, and for the record, lumetec ballasts have one of the highest failure rates in the industry. Quantum has one of the best. Phantom, the digital ballast with all the bells and whistles also has a very impressive low return/failure rate. They have similar warranties, but my supplier says Quantumn has the best no questions asked return and replace policy. Around here all these ballasts sell for the same cost $375, so there is little reason to purchase lumitec.
Lets hear it people..... what bulb with what digital ballast? And how long are they lasting??????
As said, each grower must find their own way, lets keep the spirit of HELPING each other alive. Just share what you have learned. I want to here more on bulb failure rates and compatiblity issues with different bulb brands with digital ballasts brands.
Lets hear it people..... what bulb with what digital ballast? And how long are they lasting??????
