Xtrahydro 1000 Watt Ballast ($99 on Amazon) anyone have any experience with them?

My ballast went bust and I am looking for a new 1000 watt ballast. Last one was SolisTek Matrix LCD SE/DE 1000W Dimmable Digital Ballast STK1001LCD, which I spent around $200 for. So my theory is just buying two of these $99 ballast in case one goes out I have a backup and not in the situation I am in right now as most likely the months of work I put in is most likely going to waste. I mean I thought buying a higher end ballast would prevent situations like this but turns out it doesn't Any opinions from someone who have or are using these ballasts?

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-1000w-Ballast-Dimmable-Electronic/dp/B06Y5KCF7M/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1507503668&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=1000+watt+ballast&psc=1

unbindmoney said:

My ballast went bust and I am looking for a new 1000 watt ballast. Last one was SolisTek Matrix LCD SE/DE 1000W Dimmable Digital Ballast STK1001LCD, which I spent around $200 for. So my theory is just buying two of these $99 ballast in case one goes out I have a backup and not in the situation I am in right now as most likely the months of work I put in is most likely going to waste. I mean I thought buying a higher end ballast would prevent situations like this but turns out it doesn't Any opinions from someone who have or are using these ballasts?

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-1000w-Ballast-Dimmable-Electronic/dp/B06Y5KCF7M/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1507503668&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=1000+watt+ballast&psc=1

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Check craigslist. Lots of folks upgrade to LED and dump their used gear really cheap.

Edit: Misread what you were saying, would like a brand new ballast. Also I like Amazons customer service, in case my ballast explodes like the last one, I can just return it and get my money back no fuss

I looked that the ballast in your link and it doesn't look impressive. I prefer passive cooling (no fan), but they usually cost more.
My last craigslist score was a Lumatek 600w dimmable ballast (no fan) for $50.
It works perfect.

Chunky Stool said:

I looked that the ballast in your link and it doesn't look impressive. I prefer passive cooling (no fan), but they usually cost more.
My last craigslist score was a Lumatek 600w dimmable ballast (no fan) for $50.
It works perfect.

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Thanks for showing me to craigslist, found 1000W lumatek ballasts for $70. A guy is trying to sell 10 of them, guess he really went all out on a new COB LED setup or something

Every Lumatek I ever ran had a problem at some point. Tend to be hard on the RF too.

Those Lumi's are used. NO returns and you don't even know they work till you try them. How old are they?

While that 99.00 one sounds too cheap. For 99 bucks, I might even try it.

Thing is, I like Quantum's (Yes even the new ones) or Galaxy's.

Still, 99 bucks? I'm gunna get one just to try - I'll be using a light meter on it too....gotta check the out-put vs. the name brands.

Dr. Who said:

Every Lumatek I ever ran had a problem at some point. Tend to be hard on the RF too.

Those Lumi's are used. NO returns and you don't even know they work till you try them. How old are they?

While that 99.00 one sounds too cheap. For 99 bucks, I might even try it.

Thing is, I like Quantum's (Yes even the new ones) or Galaxy's.

Still, 99 bucks? I'm gunna get one just to try - I'll be using a light meter on it too....gotta check the out-put vs. the name brands.

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How did you measure RF interference?
Lumatek makes good products and I've never had problem with passive cooling. It's important to maintain good airflow around the ballasts. My hydrofarm ballasts (no fans) are also still going strong.
When I see a ballast with an internal fan, I immediately think "el cheapo"...

I have a cheap amazon 600 with fan that is 4 years old, works a charm .

Budley Doright said:

I have a cheap amazon 600 with fan that is 4 years old, works a charm .

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I'm not saying fans don't work, but they are another point of failure. The ballast will fry if that tiny fan stops working. Ideally, the ballast would have built-in logic to monitor the fan and shut down if there's a problem, but that's unlikely because it would cost more to design and manufacture.

I have a Lumetek ballast that is 8 years old and still works beautifully. Don't know if I was lucky or not, but it's great.

Ya I'm not saying there all good, mine seems fine . My passive 400 died lol but yes a cheap one, I'm just replacing my sun systems mag ballast capacitor as we speak but I'll need the wheel barrel to get it to the lab lol

Chunky Stool said:

I'm not saying fans don't work, but they are another point of failure. The ballast will fry if that tiny fan stops working. Ideally, the ballast would have built-in logic to monitor the fan and shut down if there's a problem, but that's unlikely because it would cost more to design and manufacture.

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You would think a cheap high temp snap disk would work . But ya that would cost $1 more lol. Damn Chinese lol.

Chunky Stool said:

How did you measure RF interference?
Lumatek makes good products and I've never had problem with passive cooling. It's important to maintain good airflow around the ballasts. My hydrofarm ballasts (no fans) are also still going strong.
When I see a ballast with an internal fan, I immediately think "el cheapo"...

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When cable showed up at the building and wanted to poke around......The op was in an old tool and die shop. I said it must be something with one of the older machines. I removed the cable hook up from the shop and the problem was solved.

They have never lasted well for me, I don't care about cooling or not. It does make a sort of common sense that a cooled unit would hold wave pattern better and last longer then a passive unit.

I don't even find Lumi's in many grow shops around here anymore.....Now why is that?
Lets see here Growco = Galaxy's, Phantom's, Hort gold, Light speed and Quantum's.....That's it.
And the Horizen group of shops = B-lite mini's, Galaxy's, Phantoms, Hort golds, Ion, Solis-tek, Quatums, Xtrasun's and a cheaper line, Cali Ballast.... No lumi's!

When asked why no Lumi's - The reply is, "Too many problems with them" - RF is included as one.


Please, choose what you like for your reasons!

Dr. Who said:

When cable showed up at the building and wanted to poke around......The op was in an old tool and die shop. I said it must be something with one of the older machines. I removed the cable hook up from the shop and the problem was solved.

They have never lasted well for me, I don't care about cooling or not. It does make a sort of common sense that a cooled unit would hold wave pattern better and last longer then a passive unit.

I don't even find Lumi's in many grow shops around here anymore.....Now why is that?
Lets see here Growco = Galaxy's, Phantom's, Hort gold, Light speed and Quantum's.....That's it.
And the Horizen group of shops = B-lite mini's, Galaxy's, Phantoms, Hort golds, Ion, Solis-tek, Quatums, Xtrasun's and a cheaper line, Cali Ballast.... No lumi's!

When asked why no Lumi's - The reply is, "Too many problems with them" - RF is included as one.


Please, choose what you like for your reasons!

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"Cheap" is obviously the main factor in your decision making.

Make sure to check the reviews. Don’t get thr kind that causes some kind of electrical interference for your neighbors that get people knocking on your door.

Chunky Stool said:

"Cheap" is obviously the main factor in your decision making.

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Oh hell NO!

I run Quantums and Galaxy's because they have lasted the best for me! Quatum's also worked with my FLIP BOX and Lumi's would not. I have several 1K Q's from when they first came out. They still work...Why change brands?

I choose what works the best for me - Just like you. We simply have differing opinions on what has worked best for us!

My problems with Lumi's made me change. Bad lot? Bad day on the build line? Who knows?

As far as "CHEAP" goes. They have the same price as each other.....

I also have a China cheapy that has acted like an old Timex.....Damn nice wave pattern too.

So for a starter 1K and a newbie grower. I say give that cheapy a try! (Looks like the Cali Ballast with different paint and a cheaper price)

I might have spoken poorly in the last thread but, It was not my intention to "dis" you in any way...Only relate experience.