I was wondering how cost effective a digital ballist is? is it worth the 200 extra, or is it only for people were money is no limit? i know it puts out more light and I've heard it has quite startup...' but is there anything els that makes it worth it?

any help would be much appreciated

my system cost $300, lumatek digital ballast (400W MH or HPS) w/ cord set, el cheapo hood, and a 400W MH agrosun bulb.

i think the pros are that it uses less energy, there's no big energy spike that is easily detected by the powers-that-be at the electric co., generally gets more good stuff out of your bulb, and it compensates for the changes your bulb gradually undergoes as it burns, keeping the usefulness of the light consistent and lengthening its life.

i just started, so i've never used anything different, but my ballast is absolutely silent.

good luck!

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cheers ~LoveIt
check out my current somango/ww grow! (and don't forget my 1st bagseed grow journal- cured and in')

i mostly wondering how much less heat it brings to the table.

i think you probably can grow more with eletric ballast

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disclaimer , i have know idea wat im sayin im unconcious 24/7 so its all fiction so if a cop ask me something i will act dumb

i wondering what % increase to expect?

none really. it puts out a little more light but less noise for startesrs and cooler and less energy but not much. just safer

In that case i think im going to get a cheap ballast. then save up for a really good electronic one, maybe next year use both when i need super amount of light

yeah its not even the light. magnetic ballasts hum and get hot. a good digi will have a fan built in and it will be quiet. like i have neighbours real close so one room humming like a powerstation is no good right. just depends on the situation. i got a friend, magnetic ballasts growing for years in a building no prob..........

I'm considering upgrading to digital ballasts, not worried about the noise coz I got a centrifugal fan running like a jet engine anyway haha, would anyone recommend upgrading to a digi ballast if heat and noise aren't a problem, or are the benefits too minimal?

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GreenX ~ Glossary of Terms:
http://www.rollitup.org/general-mari...ary-terms.html

digital ballasts are way lighter, claim to produce more lumens (20-30% more lumens), wisper quiet, and draw only 4 amps (for 1000w) and you can run both MH and HPS bulbs with them. they will eventually pay for itself with the savings on your electric bill.