What is a digital Ballast?
Digital ballasts use switching electronics and small frequency inductors to control current and voltage to the lamp. They contain a ‘microprocessor’ similar to what’s used in a home computer. This allows Lumatek E-Ballasts to run both M.H and HPS lamps, make adjustments for based on the type of lamp its running, and will even compensate for degrading lamps by increasing output!
The higher frequency excites the lamps gas within the arc tube to run at a much higher frequency. Old style magnetic ballasts cycle at 50 times/sec (hertz), so is effectively like strobe lighting that can be seen through a digital camera. The Lumatek E-ballasts cycle at a massive 28,860 times/sec (hertz) so is providing non-flickering constant light that has a large impact on yield. Light output is also increased through constant distribution, lamp efficiency and increased lumen output. Lamps will also stay brighter for longer giving them increased life. This is particularly true for metal halides that are very sensitive to the voltage supplied to the lamp.
Power Efficiency.
The Lumatek Range of E-Ballasts are extremely power efficient and is seen as one of the major advantages in comparison to Magnetic Ballasts.
All Lumateks incorporate “Soft Start” technology and have very low start up currents(Amps). This is a huge advantage for growers using multiple ballasts and allows more to be turned on at one time of a single circuit or timer. Most timers have 10-15amp contacts and can usually only handle 2 x 600w magnetic ballasts (4.8amp each) at a time before the contacts go and you will find your timers don’t turn on or off, or you blow a circuit fuse.
With the Lumatek 600w ballasts you can start up as many as 4x 600w E-Ballasts at a time (1.8Amp) off a single timer but will eventually work up to 2.5-2.75amp running current. Many happy growers are already reporting huge savings on their power bills.
