digital or magnetic ballast, which do you prefer and why?

[OzBud]

Interested to see how many people prefer each one

[dontknownuttin]

Mine is digital so far it seems to be working well for me. I understand some digital models have RF interference trouble. Mine is a Solis Tek 600 watt, and is next to my main router and so far no trouble I could just be lucky I guess. I used a BATTERY POWERED AM radio to test. Some noise was detected at close range ie. 10 feet. After 10 feet NO INTERFERENCE was detected

[kingfish]

I have a digital ballast now. I replaced a magnetic one because it was getting old and was putting a lot of heat in my room. I can't say that one is better then the other.
On a side note. You might have to change bulbs. Because some bulbs are not compatible with digital ballasts.

[Wildfan76]

Digital for me, but not anymore since I made the leap to LED

[dontknownuttin]

I chose Digital as I wanted the best light. I did not wish to spend high dollar amounts for a unproven LED.

[Wildfan76]

one light, two plants, 5 oz, first ever grow, proof enough for me especially nice because the light I have avgs about 3 oz per plant, so to get that out of one light now I added one more, see what happens with two plants but more lights, I have both though, hps lamp as well, just don't like the heat issues it causes, plus spendy bills

[dontknownuttin]

Yes the heat issue. My tent is 2 foot by 4 foot and all the heat from my lamp leaves my tent 100% and yes, my utility bill did go up a whopping $20.00. Light and ventilation on 24/7

[Wildfan76]

lucky you, mine shot up a lot, but whatever works best for each person, happy growing

[Karlee]

I went digital but I have the ballast out of the tent and has always stayed cool. If anything the digital runs cooler

[OzBud]

has anyone used one of the newer 400v digital ballasts? just interested in learning about different equipment

[dontknownuttin]

I now have a 220 line for my stuff next grow. Thank you certified electrician!.

[Royal Nugs]

I know the 315 cmh/lec uses a magnetic ballast. Don't know the exact reason why but with this exception, digital is superior from my research.

[Grower-Aaron]

Digital performs the best as far as light output per dollar spent but once they stop working they are trash. When a magnetic one goes you can usually swap out a coil and be good to go again without the expense of a brand new ballast. But mags are louder and less efficient. But digis can cause radio interference, which could get you busted if u don't check whenever u change one out. So really it's a matter of what pros/cons you can/can't live with. Both will get the job done in relatively the same manner