Metal Halide Ballast (1 Viewer)

[mwilliams62]

What is the difference between the Electronic Ballast vs the magnetic ballast for Metal Halide’s?

Also I have been seeing some Metal Halide ballast that have different settings on them going from a 150, 175, 250 to 400 or those okay or they bad?

Has anyone ever used either of these type of ballast before and if so what was your experince with them?

 

[steveb]

Manhattan Reefs - Sanjay's Lighting Guide

Part V: Everything You Need to Know About Metal Halide Lamps and Ballasts

 

[mwilliams62]

Thanks Steve but this article is kind of on the old side but I did print it out so I can read it at home...

I am looking for more of people's actual experiences with Electronic ballast vs the Magnetic Ballast and the new ballast's that are out there that have multiple settings.

 

[flipside]

From my experience, electronics are better because they can run any kind of bulb, last longer, fire up nicer (no misfires), put off less heat (ever felt a magnetic ballast while running for hours?), are quieter (don't hummmmmm or buzzzzzz). I think they don't put out as much power (overdrive) the bulb, but that's never been a big deal on my tanks (can't see a difference). I love electronic ballasts.

 

[mwilliams62]

From my experience, electronics are better because they can run any kind of bulb, last longer, fire up nicer (no misfires), put off less heat (ever felt a magnetic ballast while running for hours?), are quieter (don't hummmmmm or buzzzzzz). I think they don't put out as much power (overdrive) the bulb, but that's never been a big deal on my tanks (can't see a difference). I love electronic ballasts.

Thanks... Do you by any chance know about the ballast that I have been seing that have multiple lamp wattage settings on them?
Like for instance I am running a 175 watt lamp and down the road I want to change to a 250 watt lamp I would not have to go out and buy another ballast just change the dial.

 

[steveb]

May be old but the info hasn't changed.

Select-watt ballasts will allow you to under or over drive a bulb (more par usually) at the expense of bulb life and spectrum shift. Electronics are quieter, typically drive the bulb at its designated wattage and are more efficient (less energy wasted to heat). Certain combinations of bulbs & ballast produce better results. That is why I posted Sanjay's article. It takes the guesswork out what you are trying to do.

 

[mwilliams62]

I must not be doing something right than on Sanjay's article it's keeps coming up blank.

Sounds like I will defiently be looking at the electronic ballast. I just would like to have one ballast for differnt size bulbs that way I can change the dial to the correct wattage that the bulb is I would not want to shorten the life of the bulbs by no means.

 

[steveb]

Sunlight Supply Galaxy Electronic, 150-175-250 Watt HPS Dimmable Ballast 120/240V - Style # 902475, HID ballast, HPS ballast, switchable grow light ballast, electronic ballast, Lumatek ballast, Galaxy ballast, Sun System ballasts

GALAXY DUAL 250 WATT ELECTRONIC/DIGITAL BALLAST

Your going to pay more for the selectable wattage feature (but less than buying two different ballasts). I have used the dual 250w Galaxy ballasts and have found them to be reliable, quiet and pretty cheap.

 

[steveb]

Here's better pricing

Galaxy Selectable Watt 150 175 250 250H

Galaxy Dual 250W

 

[mwilliams62]

Here's better pricing

Galaxy Selectable Watt 150 175 250 250H

Galaxy Dual 250W

Love that price....

 

[mwilliams62]

Next question here I was reading the article now which type of bulb Pulse or Probe ????
The ballast would be the deciding factor for those bulbs correct? OR am I wrong on that?

 

[flipside]

Selectable ballasts are really nice to have! Gives you options, but I'm prone to regular 250w so I have two Galaxy 250's.

As for probe or pulse:

"Probe Start
A traditional or probe start metal halide lamp has an internal starting electrode or probe. A high open circuit voltage from the ballast initiates an arc between the two starting electrodes at one end of the arc tube. *Once the lamp reaches full output, a bi-metal switch closes to short out the probe and discontinues the staring arc.
*
Pulse Start
A pulse start lamp has an improved arc tube design and an increased fill pressure. An ignitor in the pulse start system delivers a high voltage pulse directly across the lamp’s operating electrodes to start the lamp, eliminating the probe and bi-metal switch needed in probe start lamps."

So yes... the ballast decides on the bulb you use (though there are ballasts that will drive both types of bulbs). It's typically pulse these days and is desirable because manufacturers state that you get up to 50% more bulb life from them, better on cold starts, faster start up...

The bulb has the tech in it for whether it is pulse or probe, though.

 

[mwilliams62]

Thanks I think I will be able to start to narrow my search. Next will be the reflectors...... LOL......
Square, round, rectangle or spider reflectors?????? Which is the best for the light spread?

 

[steveb]

What 175w bulb do you want to use? What 250w bulb do you want to use?

 

[steveb]

Thanks I think I will be able to start to narrow my search. Next will be the reflectors...... LOL......
Square, round, rectangle or spider reflectors?????? Which is the best for the light spread?

Here is an analysis using 400MW. So there will be some differences w/lower wattage bulbs.

Product Review: Analyzing Reflectors: Lumenbrite III, Lumenmax Elite, Lumenmax, and Lumenarc III — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Another review w/intensity plots
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/2/review

 

[steveb]

Product Review: New Electronic Ballasts - Lumatek, Galaxy and Vertex — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog


All things Sanjay Joshi

 

[mwilliams62]

What 175w bulb do you want to use? What 250w bulb do you want to use?

I will have to make up my mind which way to go: I have one fulll 250 watt setup and I would need to get a 2nd one and the other I have is just the (se) sockets & dual ballast for 175 watt lamps and for this one I would need the reflectors & bulbs.
My tank is what only 23" deep I believe.... So with the 250 I would have to probably raise it up by 14 to 16" away from the water correct?
And the 175 maybe 12 to 14" above the water correct?

 

[flipside]

Personally, I like the Lumanmax Elite. I have two of them and they "hit hard!" I'm 16" off the water for now... probably keep it like that, too. steveb posted a great link, too.

 

[mwilliams62]

Personally, I like the Lumanmax Elite. I have two of them and they "hit hard!" I'm 16" off the water for now... probably keep it like that, too. steveb posted a great link, too.

Yes I have been printing them out to read at home....
What wattage lamps are you using? How long is your tank?
My tank is the 125gallon 6' long 18in wide and I believe but could be wrong 23" tall.

 

[flipside]

I use 250w mogul Radiums. My tank is a custom setup that is 43.5" L x 30.5" W so the reflectors work well for me.

Before I can give a solid answer, need to know if you're doing a canopy or not... Also do you plan on using a chiller?