View Full Version : 150w M107 bulbs?
iceman
01/21/2002, 05:29 PM
I have an advance ballast that says it will run 150 watt M107 bulbs. Given the M107 marking, what kind of 150w bulbs will this ballast run. Any thoughts, leads, help would be appreciated!!
Bob
David Grigor
01/21/2002, 05:37 PM
PaulErik is the "Lighting God".
He has lots of good info on his website......
Snailman
01/21/2002, 07:40 PM
Originally posted by David Grigor
PaulErik is the "Lighting God".
He has lots of good info on his website......
Here http://members.fortunecity.com/paulerik/
PaulErik
01/22/2002, 06:47 AM
M57/M107 Ballast:
Standard American ballast that will operate standard probe start 175 watt metal halide bulbs.
This ballast uses peak voltage (a spike in the voltage) to start standard MH bulbs. You should only use lamps with a starting electrode.
Each MH bulb operates differently. Usually 150 watt MH bulbs come in 3 types.
M107 is an energy saving metal halide lamp. This lamp uses 150 watts and can only be operated on M57/M107 ballasts.
M102 (SE) is a 150 watt lamp that needs a pulse of high voltage to start properly (3.5-4.5kV).
M81 (DE) is a 150 watt lamp that needs a pulse of high voltage to start properly but this voltage is usually a little higher than the M102 needs (4.5kV-6kV).
The M57/M107 ballast sometimes has enough peak voltage to start M102/M81 lamps but this causes excessive stress (during start up). M102/M81 lamps do not usually come with starting electrodes. An ignitor is needed to provide the proper starting voltage.
The other difference between M107 and the others is the burning voltage (operating voltage).
Here is an example what happens when a M57/M107 ballast is used for other M lamps.
The Iwasaki 150watt lamps (M102) might start up (depends on the ballast for some reason) but the light out put and over all performance is poor.
The Iwasaki (M102) performs best burning at 95volts but this ballast pushes it to ~140volts. Overriding doesn’t cause the lamp to be any brighter but actually dimmer.
The energy saving lamps work because they are designed to be operated at a higher voltage with a lower amp draw.
The M107 lamps uaually only come in 4000-4200K.
I hope this helps and I hope I didn’t confuse you.
iceman
01/22/2002, 07:17 AM
Thanks!! Great explanation on the M107 part of it. Just out of curiousity, which 175w bulbs (10,000k preferrably) would you recommend using with this ballast (may explain some of the problems I've been having getting this ballast to fire some bulbs)?
Bob
PaulErik
01/22/2002, 07:39 AM
I recommend Ushio/BLV and AB 10,000K bulbs because of the coloration.
These bulbs are European and usually operate best on European ballasts.
Some people have trouble with the Ushio 175 because this bulb is a pulse ignition bulb (a bulb that needs an ignitor). A standard ballast M57 may cause the lamp to cycle on/off and sometimes causes starting difficulty.
Some people have trouble with the AB 175 because it usually needs more power during start up. A standard ballast M57 may cause cycling.
If you want a bulb that won’t have these problems I would recommend any US bulb (like Venture lamps). Venture bulbs are available in 5000K, 10,000K, and 20,000K. These bulbs have a starting electrode and will operate perfectly on a standard M57 ballast.
The most common Venture bulb is the 5K. The others are a little difficult to find.
Other bulb that will work:
Coralife
Sunburst
If you don't mind me asking what bulbs were you having problems with and what happened?
iceman
01/22/2002, 08:13 AM
The problems were exactly as you described for both the Hamilton 10000k and the AB10000 that I have. With this ballast, they both had trouble firing when the timer kicked on. They would cycle on and off for a good half hour before they would light and stay lit.
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