Dimmable LUMATEK Ballast (250W or 400W)

[derek4real]

I heard they were on display at MACNA, can anybody confirm this. Not finding anything on google or reef builders.

[derek4real]

bump

[derek4real]

Bump
if anybody saw them let me know. Have some questions.

[derek4real]

bump

[jhnnle]

saw them briefly. Both Lumatek and Galaxy will be coming out with them. The one I saw has settings for 150W, 250w, and HQI. The HQI setting supposed to have more output, but not sure how much more. I called Sunlight Supply, but they didn't (or won't) know the exact number/percentage how much more output with HQI setting. Marine Depot told me Lumatek may have it in about a month, and Galaxy within 90 days or so. Hope this helps. They will also have 400W dimmable.

[derek4real]

Yeah i got a email from one of my sources that spilled the beans to me.

These NEW LUMATEKs will set the bar for the MH industry.

[marc nichols]

These new ballasts reputedly work for multiple watt bulbs and are "dimmable". Does anyone know what the dimmable feature does? Can one assume you could dim a new bulb to acclimate then increase intensity with time. That would be a sweet feature.

[shelbyville]

i imagine they'll be like other ballasts i've seen that can run at 50,75, and 100% power

[d0ughb0y]

I saw on marinedepot site you can pre order the lumatek. the price is $139 I think.

[derek4real]

Looks like my 400w came in the other day. I post pics when I get them off my iPhone. Very Cool.

Settings :
250w
275w
400w
Super lumens

The 275w and Super Lumens cans be used to overdrive bulbs. Should have called it a overdrive feature instead of dimmer? Since you can only dim when it is being overdriven.

[marc nichols]

Originally Posted by derek4real

Looks like my 400w came in the other day. I post pics when I get them off my iPhone. Very Cool.

Settings :
250w
275w
400w
Super lumens

The 275w and Super Lumens cans be used to overdrive bulbs. Should have called it a overdrive feature instead of dimmer? Since you can only dim when it is being overdriven.

Can anyone else verify this for the new Lumatek? I was hoping to be able to dim a 250 during acclimations.

[derek4real]

Can anyone else verify this for the new Lumatek? I was hoping to be able to dim a 250 during acclimations.

As I stated, you can only dim if your over-driving the bulb.
The 250W version is similar. Can do 150W, 175W, 250W, and Super Lumens (275W)

[marc nichols]

Thanks for the clarification. The word "dimmable" is a lttle misleading IMHO.

[gcarroll]

yeah, it should be called selectable. Even so, both the Lumatek and the SLS Galaxy are going to sell a lot of these because both companies are very large, have excellent distribution channels, and have great reliability records. Heck they both have 5 year warrantees.

[derek4real]

It sure is nice to switch from 400W to 250W with the turn of a knob.
(EX: Grow out corals with 10K (250W) and go 20K (400W) with out the hassle of changing ballasts.

[derek4real]

Reguardless of price, these things are AWESOME.

If I were to start over or get any friends in the hobby, I would hope they get these. Get the Dimmable 400W and set up their tank using 250W function and when they get bit by the SPS bug crank it out to 400W.

Looking at selling all my older Lumateks and getting these to replace them all.

This will help me out on my frag tank too. Grow out in in 250W 10K and them color them up in 400W 20K.

[d0ughb0y]

I agree "selectable" is a more appropriate term, since this can overdrive (which is the opposite of dim). one thinks of "dimmable" as those light bulb dimmer where you can turn a knob continuously to dim the bulb.

[gcarroll]

I think both Sunlight Supply and Lumatek need to consider talking to the controller companies to develop an interface to control these with our aquarium controllers. They might even be able to program in some sort of true dimming ability. That would be awesome. I always liked the Sfiligoi dimmable ballasts but hated the $1000+ price tag per ballast.

[All__talk]

Originally Posted by gcarroll

I think both Sunlight Supply and Lumatek need to consider talking to the controller companies to develop an interface to control these with our aquarium controllers. They might even be able to program in some sort of true dimming ability. That would be awesome. I always liked the Sfiligoi dimmable ballasts but hated the $1000+ price tag per ballast.

I was really hoping that’s what these new ones were. Something like a 0 to 10v analog input from the controller.

Gary

[TexasTodd]

Derek, I need two new ballasts. Where can I purchase these?

It sounds like the Lumatek is already out and basically the same as what the Galaxy will be.

Thank you,

Todd

[TexasTodd]

Ah, found them and have 2 400's on the way.

So, are Lumatek and Galaxy ballasts basically the same?

Marc, there's another model that goes from 150-175-250-250hqi.

Todd

[marc nichols]

TTod,

Pre-ordered a pair 150-250 from Marine Depot. I'm looking forward as are my salty inmates! Thanks.

[TexasTodd]

Someone who I very much respect their advice posted this on another site. Referring to the standard Lumatek not the switchable since they've just come out.

Anyone have similar experiences?

"Just FYI we tried using Lumatek's ballasts a year ago and ordered about 20 for various tanks. Out of those 20, 12 had broken in the first year, 4 fired bulbs to the wrong temperature, and they were nearly impossible to get a hold of and get replacements. I ended up going back to the wholesaler we purchased them from who took care of me and swapped them with icecaps for a minimal fee but it was an annoying ordeal.

Buyer beware on these, I thought they looked exactly like icecaps for 2/3 of the price and got what I paid for."

Hopefully they've fixed their issues since I just dropped 3 bills on two.

Todd

[derek4real]

I ordered about 40 ballasts and only had 2 memebers tell me theirs did not work correctly. I swapped theirs with mine so they were not out with lights. Mine was not gong up at the time so I sent them off for replacement/warranty.

I agree they were a little slow on the repair and communication.

What bulbs were you trying to fire?

[TexasTodd]

Hi Derek, do you own a shop in DFW?

I'm not sure on the bulbs, I'll check.

I know MD told me these new switchable are supposed to drive any bulb type.

Todd