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navyseals101
Stranger


Registered: 09/16/04
Posts: 1,053
Last seen: 6 years, 7 months
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Ballast Life
#7563612 - 10/26/07 02:42 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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How long do ballasts typically last for? U've been considering buying a used HPS 400W ballast
-------------------- "Ten thousand flowers in spring the moon in autumn, a cool breeze in summer, snow in winter. If your mind isn't clouded by unnecessary things, this is the best season of your life." -wumen
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Dr. uarewotueat
Peyote Farmer


Registered: 09/02/06
Posts: 16,545
Loc: Uk / Philippines
Last seen: 10 years, 6 months
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forever?
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Legoulash
Stranger

Registered: 09/07/02
Posts: 4,347
Last seen: 12 years, 7 months
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they get less efficiant over time, should be replaced when buzzing very loud(10 years+) bulbs will die faster when the ballast is worn aswell. you can also get a digital which might not last aslong as a magnetic ballase but your bulbs will last longer and run more efficiently.
> U've been considering buying a used HPS 400W ballast Bad idea for growing, your gonna want consistency. What happens if the ballast goes to fuck when u start flowering. the flowering cycle will go to hell, all that work for nuthin.
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navyseals101
Stranger


Registered: 09/16/04
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Re: Ballast Life [Re: Legoulash]
#7563787 - 10/26/07 03:58 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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^ no shit rah, of course i wouldn't be wanting a ballast thats about to die. I was wondering whats a way to check the condition of the ballast? by buzzing? Is that it?
-------------------- "Ten thousand flowers in spring the moon in autumn, a cool breeze in summer, snow in winter. If your mind isn't clouded by unnecessary things, this is the best season of your life." -wumen
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Dr. uarewotueat
Peyote Farmer


Registered: 09/02/06
Posts: 16,545
Loc: Uk / Philippines
Last seen: 10 years, 6 months
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buy a new one and u wont need to worry about it breaking down or its efficiency for a longgggg time... its likely to be the cheapest option in the long term...
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cpw1971
Mr

Registered: 10/07/06
Posts: 5,611
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I keep mine in front of a fan to keep the transformer windings cool. they will last longer that way
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royer
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Registered: 05/15/06
Posts: 4,801
Loc: anywhere but here
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Re: Ballast Life [Re: cpw1971]
#7564672 - 10/26/07 08:40 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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digital ballast all the way, i am surprised more people dont use them here
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Magash
Da Bud Guru



Registered: 07/25/02
Posts: 5,876
Loc: Near Hilo
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Re: Ballast Life [Re: royer]
#7564707 - 10/26/07 08:50 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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Nothing but here.
-------------------- All creatures tremble when faced with violence. All creatures fear death, all love life. If we can only see ourselves in others, then how could we possibly hurt another creature?
Join us at the Growery!
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royer
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Registered: 05/15/06
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Re: Ballast Life [Re: Magash]
#7564878 - 10/26/07 09:46 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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right on me too
most of the people i see here over the years get "the cheapest one on ebay" or " the cheapest one out there"
but if they just spent a few extra bucks they would get a far superior product that has a higher output, less heat, saves energy and money , smaller, lighter, starts up quicker and takes Both MH and hps bulbs.
the extra money they spent would be saved in power bills and in the long run the cheapest will cost more
just my 2 cents
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FecalDildo
Fat LadiesBingo.


Registered: 04/25/04
Posts: 9,645
Loc: Ass Flavour Pie Factory.
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Re: Ballast Life [Re: royer]
#7564917 - 10/26/07 09:57 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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How much is a digi ballast compared to a standard unit, approx?
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royer
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Registered: 05/15/06
Posts: 4,801
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well for my 400 watt hps, i got an entire system for 275 dollars
digital ballast, heavy duty wiring,socket, reflector, with a mh bulb and a hps bulb , all wired up and shipped to my door, i can hardly even notice the effect on my power bill :-)) my old 1000 watt light compared to running an a/c for 16-18 hours a day.
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TODAY
Battletoad


Registered: 09/25/03
Posts: 10,218
Loc: Metropolis City, USA
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Re: Ballast Life [Re: royer]
#7566146 - 10/27/07 09:18 AM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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400w is still 400w no matter if it is digital or magnetic. Maybe you just don't notice the effect on the power bill compared to the 1000w.
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ca'rouse (k-rouz) intr.v. To engage in boisterous, drunken merrymaking.
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Nalim
OTD Kelly Girl



Registered: 01/13/06
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Re: Ballast Life [Re: TODAY]
#7566152 - 10/27/07 09:20 AM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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A digital doesn't go to full capacity instantly, the bulb needs time to heat up before being able to give out its max light output and during that warm-up period there is no point giving it full juice.
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    Rodney Brooks on Robots Nalim said: "Quoting yourself is retarded."
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cpw1971
Mr

Registered: 10/07/06
Posts: 5,611
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Re: Ballast Life [Re: TODAY]
#7566260 - 10/27/07 10:09 AM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
TODAY said: 400w is still 400w no matter if it is digital or magnetic. Maybe you just don't notice the effect on the power bill compared to the 1000w.
400watt output of course will be the same but in the windings there is energy loss in the form of heat. it takes more than 400 watts input to output 400. a digital ballast is more efficient and wastes less energy.
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Legoulash
Stranger

Registered: 09/07/02
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Last seen: 12 years, 7 months
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Re: Ballast Life [Re: cpw1971]
#7566908 - 10/27/07 02:16 PM (16 years, 3 months ago) |
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>no shit rah, of course i wouldn't be wanting a ballast thats about to die. I was wondering whats a way to check the condition of the ballast? by buzzing? Is that it?
I did nothing but help, telling you the most about your situation.
So just UTFSE.
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