EBAY 600w HPS setups. Fan-Power VS. Revolt kit. HELP ME PICK!!

[Cronnoisseur]

So im about a month into my 1st grow and have been using 16 23w cfls but after adding up my reciepts for all the clamps and splitters and what not Ive spent more than what a full 600w HPS system costs, not to mention I was planning on adding more cfls. So I have been doing lots of research and have narrowed my choices down between 2 different setups off eBay.

The 1st which at the moment Im leaning more towards is the Revolt kit: http://www.ebay.com/itm/600w-HPS-MH-Grow-Light-Digital-Ballast-Kit-Hangers-6-in-Timer-Complete-600-watt-/271053137536?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3f1c06a680


The reason Im leaning towards this one is because Ive actually been able to find a decent amount of people who have used the Revolts with no problems. And they also have a video comparing their ballast against some of the more expensive ones.

My big question is: for anyone that has bought this set up with the 6" Horizon Sunspot air cooled hood, does the glass on it actually hinge or does it just screw in on both sides??? I called the supplier and he said it hinges but I dont know if I believe him because its very hard to tell from the picture provided lol.


The other setup im considering is the Fan-Power kit: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fan-Power-600w-600-watt-HPS-MH-Grow-Light-Digital-Dimmable-Indoor-Garden-System-/261141191865?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3ccd3a5cb9

The thing I like about this setup is its the exact same price and not only do you get the 3 year warranty on the ballast like in the Revolt kit, you also get a 1 year warranty on each bulb and a lifetime warranty on the hood. I also found additional pictures for the hood I would be using in this kit and can confirm that the glass on it hinges.

The only thing holding me back from the Fan-Power is I havent found a single review about them anywhere and they also havent sold nearly as many units.


Sooooo hopefully some of you guys have experience with either one of these set ups and can help me make the best choice!

Thanks for the help!

 

[kermit2692]

still looking but just so you know they are likely both equipped with a cpu fan inside the ballast even if the other doesnt say so....

 

[kermit2692]

also hope you are aware the price is 2 hundred something not one hundred something after you pick options...i would get the top one with ratchet light raisers the yoyos are junk and then the titan or supernova reflector digital timer with only an hps for 227 ...you already have everything necesary to veg a plant no reason to pay for a mh. dont know if the oher hood you were talking about hinges or not but its too boxy too much light is going up at the reflector i like the other two better personally

 

[mtgeezer]

I bought almost the identical setup from HPS I believe through eBay. It didn't have the yoyos or timer though. Since I have a small grow area, can't hook up A/C and the grow are is in my bedroom and heat was an issue I traded it to my son for my old T-5x6 4' setup. If you have the room and don't have the restraints I had they work good.

 

[doniboy]

I brought a 1000w Revolt kit. I've seen a few experienced growers on youtube using them so I grabbed one too. Like you, I've never heard of the other brand... The bulbs they both give you are shit anyway...

 

[Cronnoisseur]

also hope you are aware the price is 2 hundred something not one hundred something after you pick options...i would get the top one with ratchet light raisers the yoyos are junk and then the titan or supernova reflector digital timer with only an hps for 227 ...you already have everything necesary to veg a plant no reason to pay for a mh. dont know if the oher hood you were talking about hinges or not but its too boxy too much light is going up at the reflector i like the other two better personally

Thanks for the input, ya the price for everything minus the timer since I dont need is about 236 which I think is a pretty good deal.

Im glad you brought up the shape of the hood I was thinking the same thing about the light going up instead of out but then again its only like 7" tall. Do you really lose a lot of light in these type of hood? I would like to go with the titan or something bigger but my closet is only 24" wide....although eventually Im going to get a 3x3 tent and since I leave the door open all the time I suppose I could have part of it sticking out although it might be a waste of light??

The hood size is definately something I need some advice on...when thinking about it a smaller box should concentrate more light right? But obviously I want it to shine bright enough for my grow area...which will probably never be more than 3-6 plants.

Decisions decisions

 

[Cronnoisseur]

How long have you been using it? And did the hood you get have hinged glass?

Thanks

 

[doniboy]

How long have you been using it? And did the hood you get have hinged glass?

Thanks

I got the cool tube version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-HS95RgrBA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQhgFicOtK0

Couple of YouTube videos of the ballast. He has a the cool tube - reflector mixed model though... They seem like a reputable company, and I haven't seen any complaint. I do not think they would lie to you. Plus, you should send them an email via Ebay (keep their response as proof) and pay with PayPal... You'll be protected on the very slim chance that they lied to you... Which I doubt they have... Also, according to their Ebay Feedback comments from customers, they made 3,987 sales within the last year, and only have 5 bad reviews. In those only 5 bad reviews, most were resolved and were shipping problems... Out of almost 4,000 transactions, no one has accused them of lying or misrepresenting the the product... The Ebay seller of Revolt "gotham_products" has a 99.99% Feedback rating....

 

[Cronnoisseur]

I got the cool tube version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-HS95RgrBA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQhgFicOtK0

Couple of YouTube videos of the ballast. He has a the cool tube - reflector mixed model though... They seem like a reputable company, and I haven't seen any complaint. I do not think they would lie to you. Plus, you should send them an email via Ebay (keep their response as proof) and pay with PayPal... You'll be protected on the very slim chance that they lied to you... Which I doubt they have... Also, according to their Ebay Feedback comments from customers, they made 3,987 sales within the last year, and only have 5 bad reviews. In those only 5 bad reviews, most were resolved and were shipping problems... Out of almost 4,000 transactions, no one has accused them of lying or misrepresenting the the product... The Ebay seller of Revolt "gotham_products" has a 99.99% Feedback rating....

Very true which was also a big reason I was leaning towards the Revolt even though the Fan-Power has more warranty on the bulbs.

Hows the heat with the cooltube? Im just getting the air cooled because Im 99% sure ill need it since my temps are usually hovering around the 81-83 area during the hot parts of the day and thats with my cfls.


Anyone else have any thoughts on what size hood is best??

 

[Cronnoisseur]

still looking but just so you know they are likely both equipped with a cpu fan inside the ballast even if the other doesnt say so....

Thanks for the heads up on this, I did notice after reading some reviews they have the fan inside the ballast but unless I wanna spend an extra $50 minimum it looks like that will have to do. I believe I found one dimmable ballast on ebay that advertised no fan but I dont think it had any warranty at all.

 

[doniboy]

still looking but just so you know they are likely both equipped with a cpu fan inside the ballast even if the other doesnt say so....

Thanks for the heads up on this, I did notice after reading some reviews they have the fan inside the ballast but unless I wanna spend an extra $50 minimum it looks like that will have to do. I believe I found one dimmable ballast on ebay that advertised no fan but I dont think it had any warranty at all.

Maybe I missed something when I was researching ballasts... What's wrong with it having a fan inside?

 

[Cronnoisseur]

Maybe I missed something when I was researching ballasts... What's wrong with it having a fan inside?

Less moving parts = less likely to fail. Also makes the ballast quieter.

Plus from what I've heard the fans are usually the first thing to go.

Which makes sense since all the primo brands like Lumatekdon't have the internal fans.

 

[doniboy]

Less moving parts = less likely to fail. Also makes the ballast quieter.

Plus from what I've heard the fans are usually the first thing to go.

Which makes sense since all the primo brands like Lumatekdon't have the internal fans.

Yea well when you can get a ballast, hood, ratchet hangers, 2 bulbs, and a timer for the price of 1 Lumatek or Phantom, I do not think it's that big of a deal... How hard or expensive would it be to just replace the fan? Do people actually notice the ballast fan over their duck fan? lol I know I'm off subject....

 

[Cronnoisseur]

Lol my thoughts exactly. Thats why Im buying from eBay!

Although now im almost debating just buying everything but the hood and going to my Hydro store for that....

 

[kermit2692]

hey wait i never said it was bad to have the fan lol...i pointed it out as a pro of the one he thought didnt have it not a con of both...

 

[Cronnoisseur]

hey wait i never said it was bad to have the fan lol...i pointed it out as a pro of the one he thought didnt have it not a con of both...

Hmmm I guess there is mixed thoughts on this then...for the most part from my research most people think the fans cause them to break down more often.

Kermit do you think I should spend more on a Ballast or a Hood?

 

[doniboy]

Honestly dude, I think you're wasting money buying everything separate and/or buying the big ticket items at the hydro store. As an impulse buy, I brought a 6 bulb 4" T5 from the Hydro store for more that the price of the 8 bulb 4" T5 online with free shipping... I didn't realize this until I got home and looked it up... I wasted like $50 for no reason, and I could have gotten a upgraded product for less... Plus I wasted even more money when you factor in the fact that I had to pay state taxes at the hydro store as well on an item that was over $200... Really, how often do you plan on opening up the hood to play with the bulb to where it's that big of a deal anyway? Once every two months between harvesting at the most maybe? The guy said the Hood was hinged, and there's no indication that they would lie about it. It's your money and that's just my opinion though...

 

[Cronnoisseur]

Honestly dude, I think you're wasting money buying everything separate and/or buying the big ticket items at the hydro store. As an impulse buy, I brought a 6 bulb 4" T5 from the Hydro store for more that the price of the 8 bulb 4" T5 online with free shipping... I didn't realize this until I got home and looked it up... I wasted like $50 for no reason, and I could have gotten a upgraded product for less... Plus I wasted even more money when you factor in the fact that I had to pay state taxes at the hydro store as well on an item that was over $200... Really, how often do you plan on opening up the hood to play with the bulb to where it's that big of a deal anyway? Once every two months between harvesting at the most maybe? The guy said the Hood was hinged, and there's no indication that they would lie about it. It's your money and that's just my opinion though...

I know know im driving myself crazy trying to decide if I should just go the cheap route or spend a little more on name brand stuff and get it locally lol.

I dont think I want the Sunspot hood anymore because I found this Reflector test:http://www.greners.com/reflector-test.html

And I can get a 6" Blazer which is the Blockbuster but a little less wide for $115 at my Hydro shop. He also said he could could package the Blazer with a digital ballast that switches between 600w and 400w and a HPS lamp for $310, or If i want a 600w dimmable Quantum it would be $330.

If I order the eBay package but buy the hood from the hydro store it would cost me about $280 and then I would get both MH and HPS bulbs and ratchets. Im leaning towards this route.

Im almost thinking its worth the extra money not only because im getting name brand stuff but also if there is any problems its like a 2 minute drive to get a replacement.

I hate being so indecisive! Im probably over thinking it as well but after seeing the reflector test I want to get a quality hood.

What do you guys think? Should I do the ebay package and get the hood from my hydro store or spend the extra money and just get everything from the hydro store?

 

[fir3dragon]

You can.find cheap name brand stuff on eBay.. or even amazon

 

[Cronnoisseur]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I ended up getting hooked up at my local Hydro store and got a Sun System Blazer 6" Reflector for $115! Super stoked on this hood, especially after the hydro store guy was telling me how this is the new model and they spent 1 million on the design so im thinking its even better than the Blockbuster and its the perfect size for my set up. Not to mention I got like %30 off!

I almost bit on the package deal too of a switchable 400w/600w solistek ballast and HPS lamp for a total of $330 out the door but since my funds are tight right now I instead ordered the Revolt Ballast with a HPS and MH bulb, and ratchets for $163. Bringing me to a grand total of $287. I know the bulbs are only going to last a grow or 2 but I think I got a pretty good deal, what do you guys think?

The hydro store guy was telling me too that the dimmable ballasts arent the best because they stress the bulbs and that most manufactures will be making only switchable ballasts in the future. Anyone else agree/disagree with him? I like the idea of the dimmable since you dont need to switch out bulbs to dim the power, but it also kinda makes sense about stressing the bulb. I really dont know shit though lol just speculating so would like to hear what you guys think.