Electronic vs Magnetic Ballast

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Tremelle

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I am still reserarching which way to go when purchasing MH lighting. I do have a couple of questions concerning electronic vs magnetic ballast. Are the electronic ballast really better than magnetic? In the long run, are electronic ballast more energy efficient? Does electronic ballast run lights better longer? Ok, I had 3 questions. :) Your input would greatly be appreciated.
 
Tremelle,
Good questions and there is some agreement on the real answers, but others tend to disagree too. Sanjay's research has produced quite a bit of information on various bulb and ballast combinations. It's pretty technical stuff, but it's very informative. The net result is that I don't think you can categorically say electronic is 'better' than magnetic. However, there are advantages to both, depending on your needs.
1. Electronics are normally stated to be more efficient than magnetics and this might be generally true (altho there are many instances where it's not). Some of the electronics run the bulbs at slighly less light output than magnetics, but it will extend the life of the bulbs somewhat too...
2. What is almost always true is that electronics don't generate NEAR the heat from the ballast itself as the magnetics (in this case, they certainly are more efficient...ie. less A/C room heat generated by the electronics).
3. Some bulb types seem to have more problem 'firing/lighting' up with the electronics, but the exceptions are almost going away recently.
4. The magnetics are generally cheaper to purchase than the electronics.
5. Haven't heard any 'life-expectancy' differences between the 2 types, but each vendor has their own warranties (ie. Ice Cap warrants their ballasts for 3 years and have very good support). Others will vary...

Everyone is likely to have their favorites and I use and have both. When I buy new ones (or decide to quite repairing the magnetics) I will continue to replace my magnetics with electronics, but if I wanted to just focus on pricing, I would have to say the magnetics are cheaper to find in both used and new configurations. I'm sure others will have their opinions also.

HTH

Doug
 
I agree with Doug. I would add that the electonic ballasts, in my personal experience, are much quieter than the magnetic. However, I have heard from people who say their magnetic ballasts don't make ny noise. Mine had a pretty good hummmmmm. :D
 
I prefer electronic mainly because it can fire both de and se bulbs. When I tested a 10000k xm bulb on both ballasts, I found that Icap ballast produced whiter color, while PFO had a bit yellow but brighter.
 
:)Electronics are quiter less RF noise for phones, radios,wireless stuff around the house

Electronics: less heat , last longer , more exp $$ , easier on bulb's life

mag: burn bulb little brighter , weight more , cost less , dont start as well , gerator more noise RF and audio , drive bulb's harder more light out , less bulb's life
 
Even before the first post was posted, I began leaning towards the electronic ballast. They will be housed in the stand of my setup, so I would want to keep down any heat that may be introduced into the system. Now instead of going with a dual and a single 250 watt HQI ballast, I will now be purchasing 3 single 250 watt HQI ballasts.

I am heavily leaning towards the Sunlight Supply Lighting ballast since they use the Icecap ballast.
 
Tremelle,
Check out Hellolight's new ARO electronic MH ballasts too. I think they are on sale right now for $105/each.
Charley
 
I've got the Sunlight Supply Bluewave VII (2x250 HQI) ballast with built-in timer and love it. It is not the coolest running/smallest ballast, but it produces virtually no hum and has a 5-year warranty.

Lee
 
One huge advantage to a magnetic is repairability. Theres 3 pieces to a magnetic MH ballast, a capacitor, a starter, and a transformer. Most of the time if your Magnetic ballast goes out, its simply a matter of replacing a $5 capacitor and your back in business.

Electronic ballasts are repairable as well, but I have no idea how.

Very happy with my electronic 250w so far.
 
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