Power Usage for T5 Lights

dpbort · #1 03/28/2007, 01:57 PM

In the very near future I will be purchaisng a T-5 retro Fit kit. The kit comes with a twin Ice Cap 660 Ballasts and will have a 6 bulb setup. If I understand correctly. The bulbs are 50 Watt Bulbs and the output is almost 80 watts becasue there are being over driven. Will me electrical useage be 6x50= 300 watts per hour or will it be 6x80=480 watts per hour.

I am sure someone will have the answer to this.

Thank you

Dennis

jmp998 · #2 03/28/2007, 03:03 PM

6x80, realistically probably a little more. My Icecap 660 driving 4x39W T5's (36") pulls around 280W as measured with a kill-a-watt.

dpbort · #3 03/28/2007, 03:11 PM

That appears to be about 70 Watts per buld?

jmp998 · #4 03/28/2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dpbort
That appears to be about 70 Watts per buld?

Yes, that is correct. My understanding is that the Icecap overdrives the shorter T5 bulbs to a greater percentage than the longer bulbs-at least in terms of wattage, not sure about PAR. I have not used any longer T5 bulbs myself.

Fish_Freek · #5 03/28/2007, 04:32 PM

Do you find that the 39w bulbs burn out faster being overdriven? I wasn't aware that on a 660 they were pulling 70w each, i would have guessed 60w or a bit less! Good info.

rwbogard · #6 03/28/2007, 04:50 PM

Yes, life of bulb is def. shortened by overdriving, although the T-5 bulbs do last longer than other VHO and PC bulbs anyways.

luke33 · #7 03/28/2007, 07:37 PM

I've always heard grim say t5 bulbs aren't affected much if any by overdriving as long as they are cooled with fan's. Grim, you there man?

jmp998 · #8 03/28/2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fish_Freek
Do you find that the 39w bulbs burn out faster being overdriven? I wasn't aware that on a 660 they were pulling 70w each, i would have guessed 60w or a bit less! Good info.

I ran the first set of bulbs for over one year approx 11.5 hours per day, still have one of the four original bulbs in use at 14 months because I wasn't happy with the color balance on the new bulbs I ordered. I don't have a PAR meter, but there is not an obvious visual difference between the old vs. new bulbs except at the very ends, which are blackened on the older bulbs.

rp marine · #9 04/02/2007, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by luke33
I've always heard grim say t5 bulbs aren't affected much if any by overdriving as long as they are cooled with fan's. Grim, you there man?

Grim maybe to can clear this up? ,maybe you can give use info on the icecap ballast and overdriven the bulb