Can I replace a magnetic ballast with an electronic one?
Can I replace a magnetic ballast with an electronic one?
Newer electronic ballasts are far more energy-efficient, don’t require a starter and are not as affected by cold temperatures as the magnetic predecessors. If you have an older fixture, you can switch from a magnetic ballast to an electronic ballast in a few minutes with some basic hand tools.
How long does a digital ballast last?
For optimum efficiency, you should replace your magnetic ballast every 2-3 years. Digital ballasts last much longer, and have a consistent output over their life. They only need replacing if they stop working, which can be 10+ years.
Can you mix magnetic and electronic ballasts?
There is no problem with replacing the magnetic ballasts with electronic ballasts, one at a time, light fixture by fixture, just keep track of the type of lamps that are specified on the label of the new electronic ballasts which will most likely be the T8 type lamps.
How many watts does a 1000w ballast use?
1100 watts
The ballast requires watts too. System watts are the total watts the lamp and the ballast use together. The system watts for a 400 watt metal halide is about 458 watts depending on the ballast….What is the difference between lamp watts and system watts?
| Metal Halide (MH) High Pressure Sodium (HPS) | System Watts (approximate) |
|---|---|
| 750w HPS | 840 watts |
| 1000w HPS | 1100 watts |
How long will a ballast last?
According to the Certified Ballast Manufacturers Association, the average magnetic ballast lasts about 75,000 hours, or 12 to 15 years with normal use.
What is the best 1000W digital ballast?
The digital ballasts used in this test were the Solis Tek LCD Matrix 1000w Ballast, Lumatek Air Cooled (AC) 1000w Ballast, Lumatek Non-Air Cooled 1000w Ballast, Phantom 1000w Ballast by Hydrofarm, Quantum 1000w Ballast, Raider EP 1000w Ballast, Galaxy Select-A-Watt 1000w Ballast, Nano Xtreme 1000w Ballast, and the Lucius Maximus 1000w Ballast.
Is the Solis Tek a good ballast?
The Solis Tek did have a good size lead on its competitors giving readings 4% higher than the next best digital ballast, being the Lumatek Air Cooled 1000w. What was most surprising for us was the difference between the magnetic hard core style ballast we tested versus all the digital ballasts.
Where to buy a magnetic ballast for hydroponics?
The one magnetic ballast used in this test was the 1000w SG Lite (Hard Core style) ballast from Hydrofarm, but is also provided from Sunlight Supply, R & M Supply, and most other hydroponic suppliers.
Do digital ballasts make a difference in par readings?
That said, the difference in PAR readings was not drastic between all of the digital ballasts. The best digital ballast (Solis Tek) gave a 10% higher reading than the worst digital ballast (Lucius Maximus).
