On edit: (Should be titled converting Tungsten Fresnel to HMI, but you know what I mean.)
I know there are people here with experience making DIY metal halide lights out of old tungsten ones. Will the following combination work? Do I need an ignitor or anything else? Do I just plug this in and the lamp fires up?
For a lamp, a G22 base 575 watt single end that burns in any position. While the following reference gives the color temp as 6000K, other manufacturers give it as 5600K.
For a ballast, a light electronic model. I know a link to an eBay auction item is highly perishable so I shall provide the online store link.
I know there are people here with experience making DIY metal halide lights out of old tungsten ones. Will the following combination work? Do I need an ignitor or anything else? Do I just plug this in and the lamp fires up?
For a lamp, a G22 base 575 watt single end that burns in any position. While the following reference gives the color temp as 6000K, other manufacturers give it as 5600K.
For a ballast, a light electronic model. I know a link to an eBay auction item is highly perishable so I shall provide the online store link.
http://stores.ebay.com/Sunglow-Hydroponics-and-Electronics
LUMATEK 600w Digital E-Ballast
* Brightest Ballast on the Market!!! *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
600 watt ballast comes in 120v or 240v, choose when you order.
Absolutely silent... no vibration or noise of any kind... no walls vibrating when you turn it on!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up for auction is one Lumatek digital e-ballast, 600 watts, and you can pick which voltage version you want, the 600w ballast comes in either 120v or 240v. This ballast can run BOTH High Pressure Sodium (hps) bulbs and Metal Halide (mh) bulbs automatically. This electronic ballast is BRAND NEW and protected by a great warranty, 3 years + 2 prorated, so 5 total! The ballast comes with a power cord only. Since this is a Hydrofarm product, the cord set is sold separately, if you don't already have the cord set, you will need to purchase the All System™ Cord Set (socket assembly) to hook up with any of the Hydrofarm reflectors. We also have conversion plugs that will allow you to hook up with a Sunlight Socket assembly. If you already have the assembly, then bada bing this auction is good to go! If you need the extra parts I have lots of inventory. You can buy the Hydrofarm All-System Cord Set from my eBay store. If you purchase a cord set in addition to a ballast, the shipping cost for the cord set will be 50% off.
WINNING BIDDRERS ID WILL BE KEPT PRIVATE (anonymous).
LUMATEK 600w Digital E-Ballast
Price: Retail Price:
$249.95
Your Price:
ONLY $199.95
Your Savings: $50.00
Brand: Lumatek
Category: Hydroponics
Condition: * BRAND NEW & FACTORY SEALED *
Need a different ballast? Visit the ballast section of our eBay Hydroponics store for more ballasts. You can also find more hydroponics related items in our eBay Store.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer's Description:
The best digital ballasts money can buy!!!
Test data has shown that a 600 watt digital ballast produces only 5% less usable light than a 1000 watt "core and coil" ballast. It even uses less electricity than the old style "core and coil" 600 watt ballast. The Digital Revolution is here!
Using your same 600 watt bulb and the new lumatek ballast you get much higher (20%-30%) light output. More light equals more yield. You pay a little more for a lumatek ballast but with the same performance throughout the life of the ballast (as opposed to core and coil getting noisier and with worsening performance over time) you can save the extra initial outlay, over and over and over again!
Completely silent.
Small compact design.
Fast start up.
Produces less heat.
Cut-off circuitry.
Efficient.
NO FANS.
Longer bulb life.
Broader light spectrum.
More Lumens.
Fully interchangeable
Why choose an electronic ballast over a core-and-coil (magnetic) ballast?
Fast start-up ...It reaches full brightness in under one minute; magnetic ballasts typically take about twenty minutes
Completely silent ...you have to put your ear up to the ballast before you can detect the slightest sound
Small compact design ...600watt ballast weighs less than 4.5 kilos compared to almost 20 kilos for magnetic ballasts.
Produce less heat
Cut-off circuitry ...Automatic cut off when a short is detected. For ultimate safety.
Longer bulb life...Lumen output loss over time is dramatically less than with magnetic ballasts
Fully interchangeable ...Lumatek ballasts can light both HPS and MH bulbs
More lumen output...20%-30% more lumens output...More light equals more yield
Why choose Lumatek over future bright, terra grow and ROM light electronic ballasts?
Lumatek ballasts include a 15 foot RF shielded output cord that can be extended up to 30 feet. (Allowing positioning of ballasts in another room or at great distance from your space.). All other digital ballasts can only have a 10 foot lamp cord and most of them interfere with radio and satellite TV signals because they are not shielded.
There are no fans to break down or make noise; fan cooled ballast's have a very high failure rate. Lumatek ballasts are very, very reliable. Which is why we offer the excellent warranty.
Lumatek products - fast start upThe ballast can be mounted in areas of high heat. Up to 140° Farenheit.
Every Lumatek ballast is burned for 12 hours at the factory
Excellent three year, full exchange warranty
Lumatek ballasts are 8% brighter than ROM and future ballasts
No fans to break down after 1 or 2 years
Safer - The Lumatek ballast is completely sealed from the inside
Lumatek ballasts are available in 250 watt, 400 watt and 600 watt, 750 watt and 1000 watts.
Lumatek Digital Ballasts, Brightest Ballast on the Market
The Lumatek Ballast is the brightest ballast in the industry. Light meter readings indicate the Lumatek ballast is 10 to 20% brighter than common core and coil magnetic ballasts on the market. The Lumatek is 8% to 15% brighter than the other electronic ballasts out there.
Over time core and coil ballasts degrade, become louder, use more electricity and produce more heat while the lumen output declines. Digital ballasts do not degrade and maintain lumen output and efficiency over the life of the Lumatek ballast. Magnetic ballasts output can fluctuate by up to 10% during a 12-hour cycle. Lumatek ballasts will give you a constant output without any fluctuation.
Magnetic ballasts can use up to 75 watts (hence 675 input watts) converting the electricity while the Lumatek is sending the FULL 600 watts to the bulb lighting it to its fullest potential. Lumatek ballast achieve superior light meter readings in comparison to other digital ballasts on the market by using microprocessors to detect the precise type of lamp being run and supply the correct power necessary. The microprocessors are “chips” inside each Lumatek ballast. Some lamps are able to use slightly more than 600 watts. The Lumatek ballast will detect this and increase output accordingly.
Electronic Ballast vs. E-Ballast
The Lumatek ballast is an E-ballast unlike brand other electronic ballasts. What is the difference? E-ballasts use a micro processor similar to a personal computer which runs a software program. This microprocessor allows the E-ballast to run both halide or sodium lamps, switch between 50 and 60 hertz, make adjustments for the type of bulb it is running and, will even compensate for degrading lamps by increasing output. The other Electronic ballasts on the market have a constant output and cannot make adjustments or changes. They will light a MH lamp but quickly degrade it.
Lumatek ballasts are programmed to allow for a soft-start and do not require an initial power surge to light the ballast. This increases the lamp life and allows end users to start multiple ballasts simultaneously without a (breaker tripping) power surge. Lumatek ballast will also detect a short in the wiring or a defective lamp; it simply shuts itself off letting the user know something is wrong with the wiring or the bulb is defective. This should be kept in mind if you have a ballast that keeps shutting off. In most cases there is a problem with the output wiring (from the ballast to the lamp).
Can Lumatek Ballasts run any wattage of lamps?
Lumatek ballast is lamp specific and only operates corresponding lamp wattage.
Why are there separate ballasts for 120v or 240v?
Lumatek ballasts are voltage specific and cannot be modified to change the input voltage. The 240v digital ballast is more efficient producing light while generating less heat than the 120v counterpart. Other electronic ballasts or dual input voltage digital ballasts are never able to achieve the same efficiency as a Lumatek dedicated 240v e-ballast.
Surface Temperatures
The Lumatek 600w 240v unit can be expected to reach temperatures of up to 107 degrees while the 600w 120v version can reach temperatures of up to 120 degrees within 8 hours of operation. Do not be fooled by inferior units that use fans. Fans do not make the ballast run cooler; they simply remove the heat and increase the temperature of growing area, if the ballast is in the growing area.
Warranty Information
Lumatek offers the best warranty in the industry: 3-year replacement and 2 year prorated, for a total of five years. Lumatek will replace any defective units with brand new units for 3 years from the date of purchase. These units should not be modified or physically damaged. During the 4th and 5th year Lumatek will supply the customer a pro-rated replacement ballast, at $95 for year 4 and $135 for year 5. All warranty issues will be handled directly through the Hydroponic Gardening store where you purchased your Lumatek.
Warranty Information
Do not attempt to open a Lumatek ballast. This will void the warranty. If you were to open up the ballast you would find that all components are encased in epoxy, so there is nothing you can change without special electronic equipment. The return rate is less than 1% and service done by Lumatek’s distributor would include checking the microprocessors and re-programming if necessary.
Digital Ballast Market Confusion
There are several look-a-likes to the Lumatek in the market. Please do not assume that these have the same quantity and perform as well as the Lumatek Digital E-ballast. They typically use inferior components and technology and are not true E- ballasts.
LUMATEK 600w Digital E-Ballast
* Brightest Ballast on the Market!!! *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
600 watt ballast comes in 120v or 240v, choose when you order.
Absolutely silent... no vibration or noise of any kind... no walls vibrating when you turn it on!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up for auction is one Lumatek digital e-ballast, 600 watts, and you can pick which voltage version you want, the 600w ballast comes in either 120v or 240v. This ballast can run BOTH High Pressure Sodium (hps) bulbs and Metal Halide (mh) bulbs automatically. This electronic ballast is BRAND NEW and protected by a great warranty, 3 years + 2 prorated, so 5 total! The ballast comes with a power cord only. Since this is a Hydrofarm product, the cord set is sold separately, if you don't already have the cord set, you will need to purchase the All System™ Cord Set (socket assembly) to hook up with any of the Hydrofarm reflectors. We also have conversion plugs that will allow you to hook up with a Sunlight Socket assembly. If you already have the assembly, then bada bing this auction is good to go! If you need the extra parts I have lots of inventory. You can buy the Hydrofarm All-System Cord Set from my eBay store. If you purchase a cord set in addition to a ballast, the shipping cost for the cord set will be 50% off.
WINNING BIDDRERS ID WILL BE KEPT PRIVATE (anonymous).
LUMATEK 600w Digital E-Ballast
Price: Retail Price:
$249.95
Your Price:
ONLY $199.95
Your Savings: $50.00
Brand: Lumatek
Category: Hydroponics
Condition: * BRAND NEW & FACTORY SEALED *
Need a different ballast? Visit the ballast section of our eBay Hydroponics store for more ballasts. You can also find more hydroponics related items in our eBay Store.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer's Description:
The best digital ballasts money can buy!!!
Test data has shown that a 600 watt digital ballast produces only 5% less usable light than a 1000 watt "core and coil" ballast. It even uses less electricity than the old style "core and coil" 600 watt ballast. The Digital Revolution is here!
Using your same 600 watt bulb and the new lumatek ballast you get much higher (20%-30%) light output. More light equals more yield. You pay a little more for a lumatek ballast but with the same performance throughout the life of the ballast (as opposed to core and coil getting noisier and with worsening performance over time) you can save the extra initial outlay, over and over and over again!
Completely silent.
Small compact design.
Fast start up.
Produces less heat.
Cut-off circuitry.
Efficient.
NO FANS.
Longer bulb life.
Broader light spectrum.
More Lumens.
Fully interchangeable
Why choose an electronic ballast over a core-and-coil (magnetic) ballast?
Fast start-up ...It reaches full brightness in under one minute; magnetic ballasts typically take about twenty minutes
Completely silent ...you have to put your ear up to the ballast before you can detect the slightest sound
Small compact design ...600watt ballast weighs less than 4.5 kilos compared to almost 20 kilos for magnetic ballasts.
Produce less heat
Cut-off circuitry ...Automatic cut off when a short is detected. For ultimate safety.
Longer bulb life...Lumen output loss over time is dramatically less than with magnetic ballasts
Fully interchangeable ...Lumatek ballasts can light both HPS and MH bulbs
More lumen output...20%-30% more lumens output...More light equals more yield
Why choose Lumatek over future bright, terra grow and ROM light electronic ballasts?
Lumatek ballasts include a 15 foot RF shielded output cord that can be extended up to 30 feet. (Allowing positioning of ballasts in another room or at great distance from your space.). All other digital ballasts can only have a 10 foot lamp cord and most of them interfere with radio and satellite TV signals because they are not shielded.
There are no fans to break down or make noise; fan cooled ballast's have a very high failure rate. Lumatek ballasts are very, very reliable. Which is why we offer the excellent warranty.
Lumatek products - fast start upThe ballast can be mounted in areas of high heat. Up to 140° Farenheit.
Every Lumatek ballast is burned for 12 hours at the factory
Excellent three year, full exchange warranty
Lumatek ballasts are 8% brighter than ROM and future ballasts
No fans to break down after 1 or 2 years
Safer - The Lumatek ballast is completely sealed from the inside
Lumatek ballasts are available in 250 watt, 400 watt and 600 watt, 750 watt and 1000 watts.
Lumatek Digital Ballasts, Brightest Ballast on the Market
The Lumatek Ballast is the brightest ballast in the industry. Light meter readings indicate the Lumatek ballast is 10 to 20% brighter than common core and coil magnetic ballasts on the market. The Lumatek is 8% to 15% brighter than the other electronic ballasts out there.
Over time core and coil ballasts degrade, become louder, use more electricity and produce more heat while the lumen output declines. Digital ballasts do not degrade and maintain lumen output and efficiency over the life of the Lumatek ballast. Magnetic ballasts output can fluctuate by up to 10% during a 12-hour cycle. Lumatek ballasts will give you a constant output without any fluctuation.
Magnetic ballasts can use up to 75 watts (hence 675 input watts) converting the electricity while the Lumatek is sending the FULL 600 watts to the bulb lighting it to its fullest potential. Lumatek ballast achieve superior light meter readings in comparison to other digital ballasts on the market by using microprocessors to detect the precise type of lamp being run and supply the correct power necessary. The microprocessors are “chips” inside each Lumatek ballast. Some lamps are able to use slightly more than 600 watts. The Lumatek ballast will detect this and increase output accordingly.
Electronic Ballast vs. E-Ballast
The Lumatek ballast is an E-ballast unlike brand other electronic ballasts. What is the difference? E-ballasts use a micro processor similar to a personal computer which runs a software program. This microprocessor allows the E-ballast to run both halide or sodium lamps, switch between 50 and 60 hertz, make adjustments for the type of bulb it is running and, will even compensate for degrading lamps by increasing output. The other Electronic ballasts on the market have a constant output and cannot make adjustments or changes. They will light a MH lamp but quickly degrade it.
Lumatek ballasts are programmed to allow for a soft-start and do not require an initial power surge to light the ballast. This increases the lamp life and allows end users to start multiple ballasts simultaneously without a (breaker tripping) power surge. Lumatek ballast will also detect a short in the wiring or a defective lamp; it simply shuts itself off letting the user know something is wrong with the wiring or the bulb is defective. This should be kept in mind if you have a ballast that keeps shutting off. In most cases there is a problem with the output wiring (from the ballast to the lamp).
Can Lumatek Ballasts run any wattage of lamps?
Lumatek ballast is lamp specific and only operates corresponding lamp wattage.
Why are there separate ballasts for 120v or 240v?
Lumatek ballasts are voltage specific and cannot be modified to change the input voltage. The 240v digital ballast is more efficient producing light while generating less heat than the 120v counterpart. Other electronic ballasts or dual input voltage digital ballasts are never able to achieve the same efficiency as a Lumatek dedicated 240v e-ballast.
Surface Temperatures
The Lumatek 600w 240v unit can be expected to reach temperatures of up to 107 degrees while the 600w 120v version can reach temperatures of up to 120 degrees within 8 hours of operation. Do not be fooled by inferior units that use fans. Fans do not make the ballast run cooler; they simply remove the heat and increase the temperature of growing area, if the ballast is in the growing area.
Warranty Information
Lumatek offers the best warranty in the industry: 3-year replacement and 2 year prorated, for a total of five years. Lumatek will replace any defective units with brand new units for 3 years from the date of purchase. These units should not be modified or physically damaged. During the 4th and 5th year Lumatek will supply the customer a pro-rated replacement ballast, at $95 for year 4 and $135 for year 5. All warranty issues will be handled directly through the Hydroponic Gardening store where you purchased your Lumatek.
Warranty Information
Do not attempt to open a Lumatek ballast. This will void the warranty. If you were to open up the ballast you would find that all components are encased in epoxy, so there is nothing you can change without special electronic equipment. The return rate is less than 1% and service done by Lumatek’s distributor would include checking the microprocessors and re-programming if necessary.
Digital Ballast Market Confusion
There are several look-a-likes to the Lumatek in the market. Please do not assume that these have the same quantity and perform as well as the Lumatek Digital E-ballast. They typically use inferior components and technology and are not true E- ballasts.
