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View Full Version : MH dimmers

DMK
02/17/2007, 12:44 AM
i posted this in lighting forum, but thought i would try hear also:
i thought i remember reading about MH dimmers. i would like to slightly dim my MH. i run 2X250W phoenix 14K on a PFO dual HQI ballast w/ actinic VHO's. my actinics come on a few hours before MH. when MH kick on, i like the look of tank and coral more alittle before MH are at full strength. i feel i would get better coloration this way. i only want to dim alittle, where are dimmers available and does anyone here use them?
latazyo
02/17/2007, 12:55 AM
dont' MHs require a certain amount of intial startup power...isnt that why certain ballasts work with certain bulbs....if you dimmed that down I dont think you'd get that essential "jump start"
TheUndertaker
02/17/2007, 01:12 AM
maybe try 20k
DMK
02/17/2007, 05:31 AM
i was going to try 20K, but just replaced w/ the phoenix 14K again. i really like the bulb. i was concerned about growth if i went w/ a 20K from a 14K. my growth has exploded w/ these bulbs.
Jeremy Blaze
02/17/2007, 10:09 AM
I remember Coral Life used to sell Dimmable MH set ups. They have a dimmer setting on the ballast. I think only certina bulbs would work.

I may still have a 175 ballast, it quit working for me.
d4a2n0k
02/17/2007, 11:13 AM
Coral Vue sells dimmable ballasts in 250 and 400w. I dont have any experience with them though.

http://www.reefexotics.com/coralvue_lighting.htm
DMK
02/17/2007, 07:59 PM
yeah i don't want a new ballast though...
Jeremy Blaze
02/20/2007, 08:44 AM
I don't know of any way you can dim them without a spacial ballast.
DMK
02/20/2007, 08:50 AM
thanks guys.
wlagarde
02/20/2007, 01:26 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9264945#post9264945 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by d4a2n0k
Coral Vue sells dimmable ballasts in 250 and 400w. I dont have any experience with them though.

http://www.reefexotics.com/coralvue_lighting.htm

To dim MH bulbs you need an electronic ballast that provides for dimming by PWM (Using a dimmer on a standard magnetic/inductive ballast would cause severe overheating)...

I have been using 2 of CoralVue's 400W dimmable eBallasts with great success for about 3 months. They run quiet and cool regardless of the amount you dim them - I highly recommend them.