Which Digital Ballast?

Hi everybody,going to purchase a digital ballast.Either a 600 watt lumatek,next gen or quantum.anybody got first hand info on these ballasts.any info will be greatly appreciated

I'm using 5 lumiteks right now.

1-1000 dimmable
4- 600 dimmable 1 of which is being used for my 400 watt flower tent the other 3 at 600 for flower..

One of the best as far as I'm concerned.

I've used a 400w nextgen, and a 1000w nextgen for a lil over a year now with no issues.

My local hydro shop stop carrying lumatek due to a few fire scares. This was only on the variable voltage ones.

I run 1000w quantums. No issues what so ever.

I have great luck with lumateks. Althought the lumatek has a super lumens output that i really like. I do not think the quantums do. Also the dimeable feature rocks. At least for me it does.

The420Guru said:

I have great luck with lumateks. Althought the lumatek has a super lumens output that i really like. I do not think the quantums do. Also the dimeable feature rocks. At least for me it does.

Click to expand...

The overdrive feature on the lumetechs make no sense to me.

Do they really output more than on 100 % ?
if so how?
If I have a 1000w, on overdrive is it running 1100w?
Do I really want that for my bulb rated at 1000w?
have you seen a quantum at 100% vs a lumetech on overdrive?
You may wonder like I did and think that overdrive is really a marketing name for 100%.
If that is the case WTF percentage is it really at on 100% when it's not on overdrive?

I just got a 400W lumatek ballast and I think its great. I really like that it is RF sheilded, I get no Internet interruption and the ballast is is wthin 10 ft of the router. It does run warm if you don't have some kind of air blowing over it but if you do then it stays very cool. It's completely silent. Once of the best things that I like about it is the ability to control the wattage that is sent to the bulb and the ability to ignite MH and HPS. I have both a 400 MH and a HPS Digilux bulbs and having the ability to select wattage and save power is great when needed especially when my plants are younger. If I wanted I could use a 250 HPS or 250 MH or a 400W lamp on those settings.

Do they really output more than on 100 % ?

Click to expand...

Yes they do. I have a power meter and when its on the regular 400 watt switch the ballast uses 426 watts and when I select the Super lumens switch the wattage goes up to 446. So moer like a 5% increase rathern than a 10% increase and the bulb gets a little brighter. Im sure it puts more wear on your bulb but it does give you an increase in brightness PARS and lumens im sure. I run my HPS on superlumens. The lumatek has a 250 250SL a 400 and a 400SL switch, SL=superlumens

Lumatek is all I have tried so I cannot speak on the other ballasts like quantum and nextgen. What I do know about them is that they have a ventilation fan but I have heard that they may be prone to breaking or making noises due to dust collecting etc. I know the quantum is watt selectable but not sure if you can use a smaller watt lamp or you have to use the designated lamp and just dim it.

I bought my lumatek less than a month ago and with a hydrofarm plug installed on it and the box said it was distributed by Hydrofarm and UL listed so I know that this ballast is legit and a quality piece of equipment. The prices for the Lumateks seem to be lower than either the quantums or the nexgens but if you got cash get when you feel most comfortable with. Overall I am really happy with my Lumatek. Check out my grow log below and check otu some comments and pictures I put up of the ballast. Going digital was the best thing I have done I feel but also one of the most difficult choices because of all the bad stories I have heard of bulbs breaking and ballasts no working. Good luck with your choice.

Phantoms are the best. They have all the options of a lumatek, plus dimmable percentages of bulbs. I just wish they made a "dual 600" phantom. Until then I will always stock Lumatek right along side it.

The down sides of the others:

Galaxy: chinese circuits and resistors. capacitors are filled with inferior oils. Pro: the "1500"

Nextgen: The fans blow dust onto the circuit board and can fail overtime. Pro "180 ft lamp distance"

Quantum: They are bulky and noisy and have fans and put off more heat than the others. Pro: "build quality"

Lumateks: Better every year but still get returned but they get returned more because they sell more. Pro: "dual 600, dimmable 400, 1,000w 240 models"

Although I am a little Biased..

Galaxy Dial a Watt , there Great!
i think all ballast should have dial a watt , can run all bulbs 400 to 1000