Lumatek ballasts

Will a 250 or 400w dimmable lumatek e ballast run SE and DE bulbs?

 

come on... I know people are using these...

 

I know they run the xm10k SE's that I have running on my magnetic ballasts now because a friend has the old style non dimmable or non hqi compatible lumatek 250w ballasts. They run the xm10k's a nice crisp white, unlike the yellowy and I am sure lower PAR that the TAR m58's (f can style) I have are running my bulbs.


I am running 250s now, but I like the flexibility the 400w dimmable ones have. The only issue with the 400w ones is that they don't appear to be able to run the HQI bulbs the new 250w ones can.

I really don't see a need to run 400w halides on any tank I want though. I know 250w mh with good reflectors can easily make nice par all the way down in a 4 foot tank if you use 10k bulbs.

 

Im just doing this from memory... i didnt actually look it up again but im pretty sure the lumateks are not HQI

 

I believe I just told Robman what they were a few weeks ago and he just recently bought three 400w lumateks... maybe shoot him a pm horkin

 

here is the 400w lumatek description page from the vendor
Lumatek 400W 120/240V Dimmable / Multi-Wattage (250W, 400W) Ballast

"Multi-Wattage – Powers 250W, 400W and HQI Lamps"

now the 250 watter is here...
Lumatek 250W 120/240V Dimmable / Multi-Wattage Ballast Kit
"# Multi-Wattage – Powers 150W, 175W, 250W and HQI Lamps
# The HQI setting on the 250 Watt Ballast provides 10% MORE Light!"


Soooo, yeah, looks like they will both do HQI, but i just want to verify they both will do 250w DE bulbs.

I am kind of leaning toward the 250w versions and not the 400watters. It will save some cash, and still be very flexible if they do in fact power DE 250's.

 

Apparently the 250w watters will run Se or DE in any bulb brand with no issue.

I have not called the company, but I think the 400w ballasts are the same as the 250s as far as what they can run. There are not many DE400w bulbs anyway.

 

I have 2 lumatek 250w ballasts and so far I love 'em. Nice compact units, no fans (be careful of placement), soft start and much brighter than the magnetic ballasts they replaced, plus an awesome warranty. I had to splice the cords as the Sunpod plugs were different but it's an easy fix. I'm not sure about the SE/DE question but the 250w will run any of 3 MH bulbs (150/175/250), or dim the 250's to 175 or 150. They can also overdrive the 250's a bit on the HQI setting. Not a ton but it's definetly a noticable increase.

I got them for about $120 a piece ;D I've only had them a few weeks but happy with them so far.

TJ