Lumatek Dimmable/Multi-Wattage Ballast

Anyone out there have one of these? If so what do you think about them? How does the dimming and multi-wattage work?

someone has to have some of these!

I've got a 1000. Just purchased 3 months ago and getting started on my first op with it. Its really nice to be able to turn down the light for various things. I turned it down to 50% for vegging so my second batch of seeds wouldn't be so far behind the first and therefore get choked out. There is some thought that it isn't good for the bulb but nobody has any evidence of that. Plus there is a 110% feature for that extra spurt if you have no bulb concerns. I probably won't use that feature this time but might try it next round.

I've got the 600w dimmable version. Works great but I haven't really used the dimming function. There hasn't been a reason for me to turn it down...everything does awesome at 100% intensity.

The versatility of the multi-wattage ballast is pretty cool, though. If I were going to a smaller space and heat were a concern, it would be nice to be able to run a 400w bulb off the 600w ballast and not have to buy a whole new one.

SickSadLittleWorld said:

I've got the 600w dimmable version. Works great but I haven't really used the dimming function. There hasn't been a reason for me to turn it down...everything does awesome at 100% intensity.

The versatility of the multi-wattage ballast is pretty cool, though. If I were going to a smaller space and heat were a concern, it would be nice to be able to run a 400w bulb off the 600w ballast and not have to buy a whole new one.

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So how does the dimming and multiwattage work? There are some pictures around that I see with percent and then there are some with wattage.... Could you turn down the wattage on the bulb say you have a 400w bulb and turn it down to 250w or how exactly does that work? Are there two knobs or one?

Photos-

This one shows it with wattage

http://www.electronicxpert.com/ebay-stores/pics/G-LMT-600W-120-240V-A.jpg

This one shows percent

http://www.growdiscounter.nl/WebRoot/Store/Shops/0907282/4B06/F8FE/7B9D/07A4/2E4B/5360/9702/2F18/Lumatek.jpg

Mine looks like the first link but purple. I know there has been some problems with chinese knockoffs, so make sure you are buying from a reputable vendor.

SickSadLittleWorld said:

it would be nice to be able to run a 400w bulb off the 600w ballast and not have to buy a whole new one.

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Just to clear this up, my understanding is that you should never use an inappropriately rated bulb. Otherwise that'd be plastered all over the box as a feature.

To answer, the knob on the 1000w I just purchased has four settings. 50%, 75%, 100%, Super Lumens(Supposed to be 110%)

Archie22 said:

Just to clear this up, my understanding is that you should never use an inappropriately rated bulb. Otherwise that'd be plastered all over the box as a feature.

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It is a feature. The latest ad in Maximum Yield explains it pretty well:

Wow. I stand corrected. Mine must have been an early production model. It only gives percentages. Awesome! Flexibility FTW!

Archie22 said:

Wow. I stand corrected. Mine must have been an early production model. It only gives percentages. Awesome! Flexibility FTW!

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Yeah, its strange it doesn't mention it on the box or even on their website. I only knew about it because I saw the ad.

I wonder if the ones with percentages are legit and able to control lower wattage bulbs as well. It seems like their dimmable ballast hasn't been on the market very long so it is surprising they have different variations already.

Yeah, It's strange there are two different knobs on the different variations..That's what's confusing me so is it dimmable to that wattage? Is that what they are trying to say? Some have percent and some have wattage? So, it says dimmable & multiwattage but there is only one knob. It seems like maybe there should be a knob for dimming and wattage wouldn't you think?

I have the newest model 600w, I also have a
400w hps magnetic and 15 400w sylvania metal halide bulbs that I would really like to use I got them brand new in sealed boxes for 1.25 ea
being as I can't use them in the magnetic I would love to be able to use these bulbs..

But sadly this is not wise as on the warranty that came with it specifies to only use Proper Wattage Lamp

so I will be selling the magnetic and be buying another digital

this ballast is amazing by the way Hats off to lumatek for working out all the issues with the first models

i have the 400w and the 600w run them both on super lumens...
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I have the 400 watt lumatek. IT says in the instructions that came with it that you have to use a 400 watt HPS or MH bulb. If using a grow tent with heat issues when the tent is closed you set the ballast switch to 250 watts. Then you can open your tent and turn her up to 400 watts. Both types of bulbs have run great in this ballast. Using 400 watt and 250 watt settings. If you touch the ballast while it is running, no heat at all. Awesome ballast, kills my old one.