Made the switch to electronic ballast last year. Now switching back to the magnetic ballasts again.
Why? Brand new bulbs were losing foot-candle output quickly using electronic ballasts. Bulbs were burning out and even exploded a few times. Next, plant growth and trichome production suffered because of the light degradation.
Switched back to all of the old magnetic ballasts and everything is back on track with yield!
The electronic ballasts do run more electrical, temperature, and volume efficient compared to the magnetic ballasts, but in my humble opinion, is not worth the loss of very expensive bulbs and yield. Still using the electronic ballasts in the vegetative room, but no more for the bloom room.
Has anyone else experienced this?
EDIT:
Tested Ballasts and Bulb:
Digital Ballast Tested: Lumatek Air Cooled 1000W/120-240V
Magnetic Ballast: Sunlight Supply Harvest Pro Switchable 1000W HPS/MH
Bulb: Hortilux 1000W Super HPS (same new bulbs used in each ballast)
Why? Brand new bulbs were losing foot-candle output quickly using electronic ballasts. Bulbs were burning out and even exploded a few times. Next, plant growth and trichome production suffered because of the light degradation.
Switched back to all of the old magnetic ballasts and everything is back on track with yield!
The electronic ballasts do run more electrical, temperature, and volume efficient compared to the magnetic ballasts, but in my humble opinion, is not worth the loss of very expensive bulbs and yield. Still using the electronic ballasts in the vegetative room, but no more for the bloom room.
Has anyone else experienced this?
EDIT:
Tested Ballasts and Bulb:
Digital Ballast Tested: Lumatek Air Cooled 1000W/120-240V
Magnetic Ballast: Sunlight Supply Harvest Pro Switchable 1000W HPS/MH
Bulb: Hortilux 1000W Super HPS (same new bulbs used in each ballast)