Lumatek Digital Ballast
Brightest Ballast on the Market
The Lumatek Ballast is the brightest ballast in the industry. Light meter readings indicate that the Lumatek ballast is up to 27% brighter than common core and coil magnetic ballasts. The Lumatek is 10-15% brighter than other brands of digital ballast on the market.
Over time, core and coil ballasts will degrade, become louder, use more electricity, and produce more heat, while the lumen output declines. Digital ballasts maintain lumen output and efficiency over the life of the unit. The output of magnetic ballasts degrades over time and can fluctuate by up to 10% during a 12 hour cycle. Digital ballasts produce a constant output without any fluctuation.
Magnetic ballasts waste up to 75 watts to convert the electricity, whereas Lumatek sends the FULL 600 watts to the bulb, lighting it to its fullest potential. The Lumatek achieves superior light meter readings in comparison with other digital ballasts on the market through using microprocessors to detect the precise type of lamp used and accordingly supply the correct power. Some lamps are able to use slightly more than 600 watts. The Lumatek ballast will detect this difference and increase output accordingly.
Electronic Ballast vs E-Ballast
The Lumatek ballast is an E-ballast, unlike other brands on the market, which are actually electronic ballasts. E-ballasts use a microprocessor similar to a component found in a personal computer. This microprocessor allows the E-ballast to run either halide or sodium lamps, to switch between 50 and 60 hertz, to make adjustments for the type of bulb it is running, and even to compensate for degraded lamps by increasing its output. Electronic ballasts have a constant output and cannot make adjustments or changes. They will light a MH lamp; but quickly cause it to degrade, thus shortening the lamp's lifespan.
Lumatek ballasts are programmed to allow for a 'soft start' and do not require an initial power surge to start the ballast. This allows end users to start multiple ballasts simultaneously without blowing a breaker. The ballast will also detect a short in the wiring or a defective lamp. It simply shuts itself off, letting the user know that something is wrong. This should be kept in mind if you have a customer whose ballast keeps shutting down. In most cases, there is a problem with the output wiring.
Why are there separate ballasts for 120v or 240v?
Lumatek ballasts are voltage specific and cannot be modified to change the input voltage. The 240v digital ballast is much more efficient, producing more light while generating less heat than its 120v counterpart. Other dual input voltage digital ballasts can never achieve the same efficiency as dedicated 240v versions.
Surface Temperatures
The 600w 240v unit can be expected to reach surface temperatures of up to 90 degrees, whereas the 600w 120v version can reach surface temperatures of up to 120 degrees within 8 hours of operation. All digital ballasts produce the same amount of heat due to the total heat output. Do not be fooled by inferior units that use fans. These fans do not make the units run cooler. They simply exhaust the heat into the growing area. Each unit is tested at the factory for 12 hours with the lamp 6 inches from the unit. We are currently testing a new mosfet that will lower the running temperature of the 120v unit. The mosfet is the power supply circuit. It transforms the input electricity to the correct current and voltage for the ballast. This is the most important part of the electronic ballast and makes a huge performance difference.
RF Shielded Output Cord
The Lumatek ballast comes with an attached 15ft. RF shielded output cord. Competing brands of digital ballasts which do not employ shielded cords can seriously disrupt radio and satellite TV signals for up to 50 yards. This interference may also disrupt the operation of pH equipment. The Lumatek ballast, if properly connected, will have minimal RF interference at less than 5 ft. and will not interfere with pH equipment. In order to ensure maximum RF shielding, the output cord must be wired directly to the socket. If the ballast is connected to an existing unshielded wire, it will cause radio and satellite television interference. Both ground wires should be grounded to the socket set for maximum RF interference suppression. If it is necessary to extend the output cord further than the 15ft. supplied, the customer should purchase RF shielded wire to lengthen the output cord.
Warranty Information
Lumatek offers the best warranty in the industry - 3 year replacement and 2 year pro-rated. Lumatek will replace any defective units with brand new units for 3 years from the date of purchase. Please retain the original receipt from the place of purchase. A copy is required for all warranty issues. Also, these units should not have been modified or physically damaged. During the fourth and fifth year, Lumatek will supply the customer a pro-rated replacement ballast. For warranty issues, call the toll free support line 1-866-369-8943.
Market Confusion
There are several Lumatek look-alikes on the market. Do not assume that these have the same exclusive quantity and performance as the Lumatek. They typically use inferior components and technology and are not true E-ballasts.
The Lumatek Ballast is the brightest in the industry. Light meter readings indicate the Lumatek is up to 27% brighter than common magnetic ballasts and 10 - 15% brighter than competing electronic ballasts. Over time, magnetic ballasts degrade, become louder, use more electricity, and produce more heat, while the lumen output declines. Digital ballasts do not degrade and maintain their lumen output and efficiency over the life of the unit.
The Lumatek is not just your standard electronic ballast, but is a more advanced E-Ballast. What is the difference? E-Ballasts use a micro-processor similar to your home computer. This micro-processor allows the E-Ballast to run halide or sodium lamps, make adjustments based on the type of lamp it is running, and will even compensate for degrading lamps by increasing output. Electronic ballasts have a constant output and cannot make adjustments or changes. There are plenty of other digital ballasts on the market, do not assume they are all the same. Typically they use inferior components and are not true E-Ballasts.
The Lumatek is programmed for a 'soft-start' and does not require an initial surge of power to light the lamp. This increases the lamp life and allows the end user to start multiple ballasts at the same time without tripping breakers. To ensure safe operation, the Lumatek is programmed to automatically shut off in case of a short in wiring or a faulty or missing lamp.
The Lumatek uses a resin-sealed case for completely silent operation without a noisy fan. Each unit is burned in at the factory for twelve hours to ensure maximum reliability. The Lumatek comes with a 15ft. RF shielded output cord. Competing brands of digital ballasts not using shielded cords can disrupt radio or satellite signals for up to 50 yards. The same interference can also be experienced with pH monitoring equipment. The Lumatek ballast, if properly connected, will have minimal RF interference (less than 5 ft.) and will not interfere with pH monitoring equipment.
5 YEAR WARRANTY
Lumatek warrants its digital ballast to be free from defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty term is 3-years full + 2 years pro-rated beginning on the date of invoice. Misuse, abuse, or failure to follow instructions are not covered. Lumatek will, at our option, repair or replace products covered under this limited warranty that are returned to its facility. To request warranty service, you must call Lumatek Customer Service at 866-369-8943 within the warranty period. If warranty service is required, Lumatek will issue a Return Material Authorization Number. You must ship the product back to Lumatek in the original or equivalent packaging, prepay shipping charges, and insure the shipment or accept the risk of loss or damage during shipment. Lumatek will ship the repaired or replacement products to you freight prepaid if you use an address in the continental US or where applicable. Shipments to other locations will be made freight collect. Purchase date is based on the original sales receipt. Please save your receipt as a copy is required for all warranty services.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE LUMATEK BALLAST
#1 - 240V ballast wiring: VERY IMPORTANT!
It has come to our attention that many customers are using a NEUTRAL wire in their electrical systems. The Lumatek ballast will malfunction if the circuit has a NEUTRAL. The input for the ballast is 2 HOT WIRES 1 GROUND WIRE. Some electricians insist on wiring a neutral with their 240V this should not be done when using electronic ballasts. If you are using a light controller ONLY bring a ground wire and two hot leads from your electrical panel.
#2 - Electronic ballasts should not be used on generators. Damage to ballasts caused by electric generators will not be coved under warranty.
#3 - All electronic ballasts are not able to consistently ignite lamps made by SOLARMAX. Solarmax lamps require a very high voltage to start. The Lumateks soft start technology will not provide enough voltage to light this brand of lamp.
#4 - Electronic ballast will work only with HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM LAMPS. They will not work with mercury vapor (MV) or pulse strike metal halide lamps.
