Digital Ballasts Vs Analog Ballasts

Digital Ballasts and Analog Ballasts

The key component to take into consideration when buying a conversion kit is whether to choose a digital ballast or an analog ballast. The pros and cons of analog versus digital are very similar to the pros and cons of DC versus AC power. With that said there are some other things to consider before making the final decision.

	Analog Ballast	Digital Ballast
Power	Analog ballasts rely on coils, resistors, and capacitors that then transform the DC power to AC power. The power can fluctuate, which can shorten the lifespan of the receiver.	Digital ballasts have an added DSP chip that helps to improve the stability of power while converting from DC power to AC power. This helps to increase the lifespan of the receiver.
Wave Bands	Analog wave bands are inconsistent and have just a bit of tolerance built in.	Digital wave bands are precise. They do not fluctuate whatsoever.
Temperature	Analog ballasts do not produce as much heat.	Digital ballasts do produce significantly more heat, so a good heat dissipater is needed.
Lifespan	Has a shorter lifespan due to the power fluctuations.	Has a longer lifespan due to the consistent power output.