Ballast question

[afishfanatic]

[I am in need of a new ballast to run 2 48" VHO bulbs. In the past, I have always used Icecap. I am wodering if it is OK to use the cheaper ballast I see online. On one site I was looking at Icecap 430 was $159 and a cheap VHO ballast was $40. I dont see how they could be that much cheaper and do the same job. I think I also saw someone post that you could get one at Home Depot or Lowes. Is this true? Thanks for the help.]

 

[hydro]

[HI
I have never seen one at lowes that run VHO but I could be wrong but I always thought the 430 Ice caps where a waste of money for like $10 more you can get a 660. But back to your question If you don't mind the ballast getting warm and the 10% higher energy usage than a magnetic is fine. Here try this on for size. VHO Ballast That price should make you smile
Joe]

 

[cpalmist]

[Rumor was that you could have the 430's upgraded to a 660 by IceCap for a nominal fee - supposedly it is just a software upgrade...
Anybody done this?]

 

[mmiller40]

@cpalmist wrote:

[If hydro is correct and it is only 10$ more to get a 660, then the nominal fee would have to be free, shipping would eat up the 10$.]