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#1
10/12/2007, 11:34 AM
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magnetic MH ballast--ever cheap enough
Does electronic MH ballast save enough energy over a magnetic one that makes the latter an obsolete equipment if one is to buy now?
Some magnetic MH ballasts are much cheaper now. Are they ever worth considering? |
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#2
10/12/2007, 11:52 AM
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I have a Sunlight Supply BlueWave II ballast. Its a dual 175W magnetic pulse start.
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Josh |
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#3
10/12/2007, 01:37 PM
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there isnt that big of a difference in energy usage. they just operate the bulb a lil differently. saying that.. i use what ever i can get my hands on. i like magnetic cause they will keep firing the bulb in case of a porblom where as alot of electronics give up after a few trys ( and for some reason my bulbs never stay lit the first time.. could be cause htey are suspended and swinging around in the high air flow
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Addicted to the Reef Chris "to many tanks not enough r/o" |
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#4
10/12/2007, 03:30 PM
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I'm in to the 'ol trusty standby.
 I might get a magnetic ballast some day down the road but there's one thing I've learned from both having my tank and having a saltwater boat..... Electronics and Saltwater DO NOT MIX!! hehe.. I like the simplicity of the Magnetic ballast and capacitor. They've been in use for YEARS with little to no design change. Why? B/C they work! oh, and they're cheap. I can get 4 magnetic ballasts for the price of one electronic ballast. So... for the time being I'll stay with magnetic, nothing against electronic... just not for me at this moment.
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90gal display 40gal propagation/refugium tank 30gal sump |
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#5
10/12/2007, 03:51 PM
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Most ballasts are remote
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#6
10/12/2007, 05:14 PM
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I am using three 400 watt MH over my 210g. The ballasts are magnetic. I built the whole setup for about $350.00. I could not have touched electronics for this amount. I have a friend that uses them and to my surprise they pull about the same amperage as my magnetic and she paid almost as much as two of my complete bulb, ballast, reflector, and mogul setups. I believe that when my ballasts are run 120v they pull 3.15 amps, her electronics run at 3.0. I have the option, and do use it, to run my ballast at 240v, she does not. Her units are cooler and start up bulbs faster than my magnetics. She uses the same bulbs as I do, XM and the color looks the same.
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People will never learn or advance if they let doubt rule. |
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