HID Digital Ballast

B

Bullethead21

Well-Known Member
DO digital ballist that can run both MH and HPS bulbs run more efficient than a regular ballist? Does the digital use less power?

In other words if I got 2 ballist one digital one not, both running 400w bulbs, would the digital ballist use less juice then the the regualr ballist that will only run MH bulbs or only run HPS bulbs......

I see the advantage to a digiatal ballist being able to switch from MH to HPS with just the changing the bulb out...was just wondering maybe they used less power since they seem more advanced than the ones specified for specific bulb types.

Thanks
 
I'm not to sure on this one either. . . I've been doing some reading and they say digital ballasts are like 30% more efficient, but I don't believe it because 400 watts is 400 watts. I know digital ones don't make noise like magnetic ones and are suppose to run cooler, but I'm not sure how they can save you on your electric bill.
Simply switching out the bulb from MH to HPS is nothing new and they do have magnetic ones that do this too. I'm currently working with a 400 watt, digital, HPS ballast with a MH conversion bulb for veg and HPS for flowering.
Also, I noticed a lot of negative feedback on digital ballasts with fans to cool them down because of fan malfunctions, so I keep an eye on mine. I'm going to do some reading about magnetic transformers and solidstate transformers to follow up on this.
 
"Magnetic ballasts modulate electrical current at a relatively low cycle rate, which can cause a noticeable flicker. Magnetic ballasts may also vibrate at a low frequency. This is the source of the audible humming sound people associate with fluorescent lamps.

Modern ballast designs use advanced electronics to more precisely regulate the current flowing through the electrical circuit. Since they use a higher cycle rate, you don't generally notice a flicker or humming noise coming from an electronic ballast." From HowStuffWorks - Learn How Everything Works!
 
Bullethead21 said:
DO digital ballist that can run both MH and HPS bulbs run more efficient than a regular ballist? Does the digital use less power?

In other words if I got 2 ballist one digital one not, both running 400w bulbs, would the digital ballist use less juice then the the regualr ballist that will only run MH bulbs or only run HPS bulbs......

I see the advantage to a digiatal ballist being able to switch from MH to HPS with just the changing the bulb out...was just wondering maybe they used less power since they seem more advanced than the ones specified for specific bulb types.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Digital Advantages
1. 20% decrease in power consumption
2. 30% increase in lumens
3. Preatty cheap ($169 400w, $189 600w $250 1000w)
4. Run Cool
5. Silent

Mag ballast Advantages
1. Lasts more than 5 years
 
Al.Bfuct tried one out, and his report was that it is a very tiny saving in electrical cost. Digitals are more likely to malfunction. But they do allow you to switch lamps, and it cuts down on heat emmited by ballast, oh and it supposed to lengthen the bulb life by softer starts.

100 POST :hump:, in memory of the fuckster
 
I will second the centennial post from holmes,

Al ran tests for electrical consumption at the mains and tested lumen output with a lux meter to prove the myths of digi-advertising or disprove as the case may be.....I think in the page 50-60 range on his "get a harvest every two weeks" thread there are the details. Magnetics will use a little more energy but the 30% savings and 30% more lumens is bs. I run 4-1kw magnetics (5 actually-but reworking a couple things at the moment)all are quiet and reliable. The 5% power savings that al recorded would mean that if electronics lasted 8-10yrs they would save me money. Also I change lamps on a set schedule regardless of estimated life so I would not benefit from any savings there. :?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top