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Mushrooms, Mycology and Psychedelics > The Ethnobotanical Garden
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Ballast Life
    #7563612 -

How long do ballasts typically last for? U've been considering buying a used HPS 400W ballast


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"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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Re: Ballast Life [Re: navyseals101]
    #7563752 -

forever?


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Re: Ballast Life [Re: Dr. uarewotueat]
    #7563772 -

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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Re: Ballast Life [Re: Legoulash]
    #7563787 -

^ 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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Re: Ballast Life [Re: navyseals101]
    #7563869 -

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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Re: Ballast Life [Re: Dr. uarewotueat]
    #7563988 -

I keep mine in front of a fan to keep the transformer windings cool. they will last longer that way :cool:

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Re: Ballast Life [Re: cpw1971]
    #7564672 -

digital ballast all the way, i am surprised more people dont use them here


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if you have any questions please feel free to pm me , thx :-)

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Re: Ballast Life [Re: royer]
    #7564707 -

Nothing but here.


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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?


:growingweed: Join us at the Growery! :growingweed:

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Re: Ballast Life [Re: Magash]
    #7564878 -

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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=================================================
if you have any questions please feel free to pm me , thx :-)

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Re: Ballast Life [Re: royer]
    #7564917 -

How much is a digi ballast compared to a standard unit, approx?

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Re: Ballast Life [Re: FecalDildo]
    #7564949 -

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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=================================================
if you have any questions please feel free to pm me , thx :-)

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Re: Ballast Life [Re: royer]
    #7566146 -

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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Re: Ballast Life [Re: TODAY]
    #7566152 -

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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Re: Ballast Life [Re: TODAY]
    #7566260 -

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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Re: Ballast Life [Re: cpw1971]
    #7566908 -

>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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Mushrooms, Mycology and Psychedelics > The Ethnobotanical Garden
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