Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What is the warranty on Lumatek ballasts?
  
  A: 5 years.


• Q: What is the warranty on Lumatek Control Panels?
  
  A: 3 years.


• Q: What is the warranty on Lumatek lamps?
  
  A: 1 year from manufacture.


• Q: What is the warranty on Lumatek Reflectors?
  
  A: 1 year.


• Q: Can I run a CMH lamp with a HPS ballast or a CMH ballast with a HPS lamp?
  
  A: No, as they are different technologies.


• Q: Can I run a 400 watt lamp in the Lumatek 600 watt dimmable ballast?
  
  A: Yes, you can run a 400 watt lamp in the 600 watt ballast dimmed to the 400 watt setting. Since the voltage output for the 600W ballast is the same as the 400 watt lamp this combination works perfectly.


• Q: What is Kelvin?
  
  A: The Kelvin Color Temperature Scale is a measurement of discriminating colors for the human eye. Color temperatures over 5,000K are called cool colors (blue/white), while lower color temperatures (2,700–3,000 K) are called warm colors (yellow/white through red). This is a measurement for the human eye, but serves as a reference for helping consumers know which lamp to buy for which stage of growth.
  
  Not all growers are able to buy four lamps for every fixture, so the "one lamp system" means you could use the 4K for all stages of plant growth if needed. Your plants will get photo-chemical reactions with a Lumatek lamp that is more than could be achieved with any traditional lamp that was made for human vision.
  
  HPS - Recommend for the majority of flowering when growing annual plants.
  4K - This is a Full Spectrum light good for all stages of growth.
  6K - Popularly used for vegetative growth and 3K - 2K; consistently used for flowering and fruiting growth.


• Q: Why Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH) Full Spectrum light output so special?
  
  A: The Lumatek CMH technology utilizes ceramic-discharge metal halide lamps to generate a light spectrum that encompasses a wider range compared to other types of HID lighting, such as conventional metal halides and HPS. The light output produced by this technology closely resembles that of light emitting plasma (LEP) units, albeit with a slightly narrower spectrum. However, in terms of luminosity, LEPs cannot rival the remarkable brightness exhibited by the Lumatek CMH units. From the moment these Lumatek units are switched on, their brightness is readily noticeable to the naked eye, matching the equivalent wattage of HPS bulbs. This combination presents the best of both worlds - a lighting unit that delivers a comprehensive LEP-style spectrum along with the intensity and radiance akin to HPS-style bulbs. This translates to increased light output, reduced heat generation, improved control, and ultimately higher yield.


• Q: Importance of CRI?
  
  A: The color rendering index (CRI), sometimes called color rendition index, is a quantitative measure of the ability of a light source to reproduce the colors of various objects faithfully in comparison with an ideal or natural light source. Light sources with a high CRI are desirable in color-critical applications such as photography and cinematography, and even horticulture. It is defined by the International Commission on Illumination as follows:
  
  Color rendering: Effect of an illuminant on the color appearance of objects by conscious or subconscious comparison with their color appearance under a reference illuminant
  
  The highest possible CRI is 100, which is equivalent to natural sunlight. The higher the CRI, the better quality of light.


• Q: Why do you offer different kinds of Metal Halide lamps?
  
  A: There are different metal halides lamps because each lamp represents a Kelvin rating or color. Kelvin ratings over 5,000 Kelvin are identified as "cool colors" (blues & whites). Lower color temperatures (2,700 - 3,000 Kelvin) are referred to as "warm colors". We offer spectrum selections of 4K (Daylight), 6K (Blue Cool). For the CMH range 3100K and 4200K. HPS lamps can be used as a "warm color" spectrum.


• Q: Why is my Lumatek ballast 20% brighter than my old magnetic ballast, but my friends Lumatek is only 15% brighter than his old magnetic?
  
  A: The impact of voltage on magnetic ballasts is responsible for this phenomenon. A magnetic ballast designed for 240 volts operates optimally at that voltage. When supplied with 240 volts, a 600-watt ballast delivers 600 watts of power to the lamp. However, in reality, the voltage in the UK can vary between 215 volts and 258 volts based on our observations. Since power is calculated as the product of current and voltage in linear devices like magnetic ballasts, a change in voltage directly affects the power output and subsequently the light produced. When the voltage drops by a mere 20 volts from 240 volts to 220 volts, a magnetic ballast typically experiences a 20% decrease in brightness, whereas the Lumatek remains 20% brighter. At 210 volts, the Lumatek shines 30% brighter. As a voltage regulator, the Lumatek ensures consistent light output across its entire voltage range, maintaining the same brightness throughout the day. Therefore, the outcome depends on your location and the voltage supplied.


• Q: My magnetic ballast is brighter at certain times of the day, why is that?
  
  A: This is because voltage varies throughout the day. It is not uncommon for voltage in a household to vary by 10% over a day. This is because voltage drops as more "load" (electricity consuming devices) is added to the household circuit, and the larger local electricity supply. As large industrial users turn on, local voltage drops, thereby dimming local lights. This effect occurs even as more HID lights are added to a circuit in a building. We have all noticed house lights suddenly dropping at certain times of the day.


• Q: I used to get 6 x 600w magnetic ballasts on my circuit before tripping the circuit breaker. I can now get 7 Lumatek 600w Ballasts on that same circuit. How can that be possible?
  
  A: This is because of the high "power factor" of a Lumatek Ballast. Without getting too technical, when a device has a low power factor, the electricity company has to supply additional power to the device to compensate. Because of the way electricity companies bill you, this extra power is not measured by a power meter but is "felt" by the circuit breaker. Therefore an additional almost 10% of power is supplied by the company causing it to "trip". Therefore where six magnetic ballasts would work before, now seven Lumateks will.


• Q: When I checked my magnetic ballast with a power meter it told me the ballast was drawing far more than 800w, for a 600w ballast that's not possible surely?
  
  A: Based on the equation "Power = Current x Voltage," it becomes evident that at voltages exceeding 255 volts, which is quite common in certain regions of the UK, a 600-watt ballast will actually draw more power than an 800-watt ballast. This has significant implications for power consumption, particularly when considering multiple units. For instance, if ten of these ballasts are in use, the cumulative effect on power consumption can be substantial.


• Q: If my magnetic ballast changes power, does that affect the PAR light my lamp produces?
  
  A: The availability of PAR(Photosynthetically Active Radiation) light significantly influences plant growth. PAR, which represents the light frequency used by plants for growth, is carefully considered by lamp manufacturers when designing their products. Within the power range of a 600-watt lamp, a desired amount of PAR is generated between 585 watts and 660 watts of lamp power. When the lamp power exceeds or falls below this range, the light frequency emitted undergoes changes: overpowering shifts the light towards the blue spectrum, while underpowering shifts it towards the red spectrum. These frequency variations have direct consequences on the growth rate and development of plants. Operating within the recommended range (585 watts to 660 watts) doesn't result in significant differences, but it's important to note that overpowering the light consumes more energy. However, certain circumstances may call for deliberate light dimming, such as in the case of high temperatures. Dimming the light causes a shift towards the red spectrum, although this effect has a lesser impact on plants compared to the detrimental effects of elevated temperatures. To address these needs, we have developed dual power dimmable ballasts (600/400 W and 400/250 W) to provide flexibility and meet specific requirements.