New ballast or a cheap LED

Hi,

I am running a unknown brand 600w ballast I got second hand when I first started growing. According to my power meter it uses about 650w when running, is this normal?

Since I am a bit concerned about the ballast burning my house down while I sleep I want to buy a better dimmable one. I can get a Lumatek digital 600w ballast for $230 or I can buy a Marshydro 600w LED for $215.

If I went the LED option I could put 300w worth of CFL's in my tent as well and wouldn't be using any more power than the 600w HID running on full brightness.

Which would give me a better harvest? I don't mind if the LED saves me a bit of money and reduces the yeild slightly but if the HID would give me a significantly better yield Ill stick with that.

Thanks!

I found this brand at Amazon just now... Yescom 250w / 400w / 600w / 1000 watts HPS MH Digital Electronic Dimmable Ballast Grow Light I really like the dimmable feature as I can go with a lot of light or 50% less... I have a model that features "Super Lumen" where it pumps out an extra 10% more lumens... for a bit more electricity.
The 600 watt goes for under 83.00

A ballast gets old after use. When they get real old they burn become less efficient and cost more to run. The newer digital ballasts have a longer life than the older analog models.

Final Phase said:

I found this brand at Amazon just now... Yescom 250w / 400w / 600w / 1000 watts HPS MH Digital Electronic Dimmable Ballast Grow Light
The 600 watt goes for under 83.00

A ballast gets old after use. When they get real old they burn become less efficient and cost more to run. The newer digital ballasts have a longer life than the older analog models.

Click to expand...

Thanks, they don't ship to country but I will look on Amazon and see if I can find one that does.

Would I be better off sticking with HID or should I try the LED?

I have been using MH and HSP for 9 years and have no complaint.

i am using cree ca3070 leds to grow and i would say unless your willing to buy a decent led panel like the area 51 panels or diy your own cob setup i would suggest sticking with a hps over a cheap led panel. The reason led lights still get such bad press is that the Chinese led lights such as the mars panels don't run any more efficient than a hps and cfls certainly dont.

Thanks, I thought that might be the case. I will buy a good ballast with my money instead.

i got a hydrofarm phantom ballast and i love it.. i think i paid like 150 for it and its got both plugs built in for any type of reflector... plus its got 15 minute restart timer to protect bulbs etc and has built in breakers aswell.. no issues with it.. other good brands are of course lumatek and soilstek. if you can afford it, id highly go with a soilstek

I change my bulbs more often since finding a place called 1000bubls.com Sulvaina 1000 watt under 30 bucks. Not buying into the extra cost of a Lumitex bulb any longer - they always want top dollar... Good product, but overpriced.

Bonjour
Why don't you go for DIY?Try Bridgelux Vero29!You can have a good panel for 400$(8xV29 + 2 hlg185 + h.s + fans + ...)
Have a nice(Nice is the name of the town I am today...lol)day

Final Phase said:

I change my bulbs more often since finding a place called 1000bubls.com Sulvaina 1000 watt under 30 bucks. Not buying into the extra cost of a Lumitex bulb any longer - they always want top dollar... Good product, but overpriced.

Click to expand...

The hortilux bulbs worth it? Or would i be better off saving some $$ and getting a Sylvania?

I'm just not up for trying to get the very very best light... too lazy to do the research...

Both bulbs at 1000Bulbs.com
The Xtrasun XTB1000 $24.00 1000-watt high pressure sodium bulb provides reliable operation during the bloom cycle. Specifically engineered for horticultural use with electronic or magnetic ballasts and has a 2000K color temperature that distributes intense light for the flowering phase of your plant. Includes a 1-year warranty.

Or at the same site:

Hortilux 1000 HSP $75.00 - Hortilux HX66785 Super HPS lamps provide 17% more total energy and 25% more energy in the Violet, Blue and Green spectrum than standard HPS, which helps balance the spectrum for increased plant response and accelerated growth. They provide optimum spectral energy levels, taking your plant growth to the next level. These lamps are environmentally friendly and pass EPA, TCLP test criteria as non-hazardous waste.


I'll let you figure it out!