In StockVaridrive Ballast
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Description
The Varidrive dimmable ballast from Maxibright is a high-quality digital ballast with a 4-way dimmer switch, which gives you complete control over the power output to your plants.
The ballast will power 250W, 400W or 600W HPS or Metal Halide bulbs and includes a boost mode that increases output to 660W, which can be beneficial during the flowering/fruiting phase. It is not recommended to dim or boost Metal Halide lamps as thus will affect the spectral output significantly.
Be sure to pair the correct lamp to the output selected, so don't be tempted to run a 400W lamp at 250W for long-term use, for example. This will save energy and reduce temperatures as a short-term fix, but it is not advisable in the long term as your plants will not receive the full PAR (usable light) range.
As with other digital ballasts, the Varidrive's soft-start feature will extend the life of your lamps by protecting the bulb from power surges and eliminating flicker. It also includes RF shielding, so it will not interfere with other electrical equipment in your home.
The Varidrive 600w ballast comes with a 1-year guarantee.
Key facts
| Type | Dimmable digital ballast for HID lamps |
|---|---|
| Brand | Maxibright |
| Settings | 4-way switch: 250W, 400W and 600W, plus a 660W boost |
| Lamps | HPS or metal halide, 250W, 400W or 600W |
| Soft start | Protects the lamp from power surges and stops flicker |
| RF shielding | Will not interfere with other electrical equipment in the home |
| Guarantee | 1 year |
| Maker's part number | 42059 |
| Barcode | 5060403591876 |
| Product code | 2112 |
| Category | HID Lighting |
How to use
Set the switch to match the lamp you are running: 250W for a 250W lamp, 400W for a 400W lamp, 600W for a 600W lamp. Running a lamp below its rating, such as a 400W lamp at 250W, saves energy and lowers the temperature as a short-term fix, but the plants will not get the full usable light, so do not leave it that way.
- Boost (660W) can help HPS lamps during flowering or fruiting.
- Do not dim or boost a metal halide lamp: it changes the spectrum a lot.
Find lamps and reflectors in HID lighting.
Questions
Can I use the Varidrive with metal halide lamps?
Yes, at 250W, 400W or 600W. Run the lamp at its own rating: Maxibright advise against dimming or boosting metal halide lamps, as it affects the spectrum.
What is the boost setting for?
It raises the output to 660W, which can help during flowering or fruiting. Do not use it with metal halide lamps.
Can I run a 400W lamp on the 250W setting?
Only as a short-term fix to save energy or cut heat. Long term, the plants miss out on usable light, so match the setting to the lamp.
Growers’ guides
- LED or HPS? Why the Best Growers Use BothTom's view from twenty years in the shop: run LED as the main light and add a dimmable HPS, metal halide or CMH for flowering weeks 3-7 for a better finish.
- LED Grow Light Wattage by Tent Size (and LED vs HPS)How many watts of LED a tent needs: 300-500 W/m² in flower, a table by tent size, the Maxibright, Gorilla and Adjusta-Watt fixtures that fit, and LED vs HPS.
