Dimmable T5 is finally in the US!!!!

[Fliger]

Just saw this, there are some questions to be answered but it sure looks promising. Been waiting for this for a very long time!!!! And its an RC sponsor ....

Vendor T5 Thread Here (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=10471120#post10471120)

From Proline ...

"They are finally here - what we have available is the 2x54w dimmable ballast They are made in Germany & we have tested them for the past 4 months continuously being dimmed @ different speed.they are solid& work flawlessly with Profilux. As for Pricing Please give our dealer a few days & they will make the announcement ,Probably on monday. Keep in mind you will need the Dimmable T5 card to wire the ballast to profilux,each card will handle up to 2 ballast.

Regards
Shane"

[BeanAnimal]

Advance, Sylvania and phillips have had dimmable T5 ballasts for some time. I have one laying on the workbench as we speak.

Advance RZT-154, RZT-2S54
Sylvania QT1x54, QT2x54
Etc...

[Fliger]

OK then ... I'll rephrase ...

A tested dimmable T5 ballast distributed by a reefing company finally available. :) I know, pay the hobbyist markup .... its worth it for me.

I don't really visit the DIY forums, but I don't remember seeing a reefer actually hooking one up and testing it. I've had several discussions with companies asking them to test and sell me one, no price limit - and no one has done it yet. I've only seen people point out links in vendor catalogs telling me that they exist - yet no one has done any long term testing.

But if these ballasts that are being released are simply the ones you mentioned relabeled - that would be totally killer. Most European controllers have dimming built-in (since dimmable 220 ballasts are a plenty), hopefully we can use it soon ...

[Lubu]

Aren't those DALI ballasts? Finding a controller/dimmer is the hard part.

[Proline]

Hi guys
Just wanted to let you know that we will be also releasing a stand alone controller that will dim your dimmable T5 BALLSTS as well ,that way you will not need to buy a controller just for the T5 dimming.
It will be very much plug & play with these great features
1-Temp Probe
2- 2 extra timed socket for your M/H or other lighting
3- Since it will have the 1-10v Control ,you will also have the Tunze control feature on this as well variable speed fan,..
4- Using the Temp Probe we will have the temp/heat shut off for you T5 & MH
5- All relays used will be protected against Inrush current surge

The price of the Dimmable ballast we have is going to be very reasonable ,I am sure our vendors will release the price soon.
We will be releasing the stand alone dimming Module @ MACNA
do come by for a tour:D
Hope to see you all there ,If you have any more questions do not hesitate to visit our forum here
Regards
Proline Aquatics

[Treg]

I ordered my Giesemann fixture with the Dimmable T5's also.



To Me, that concept makes more sense than dimmable MH.

Should have it in a week or so.

[Nuuze]

Nice!!!

Here we go again Fliger! :D

[BeanAnimal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10471304#post10471304 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fliger
OK then ... I'll rephrase ...

A tested dimmable T5 ballast distributed by a reefing company finally available. :) I know, pay the hobbyist markup .... its worth it for me.

I don't really visit the DIY forums, but I don't remember seeing a reefer actually hooking one up and testing it. I've had several discussions with companies asking them to test and sell me one, no price limit - and no one has done it yet. I've only seen people point out links in vendor catalogs telling me that they exist - yet no one has done any long term testing.

But if these ballasts that are being released are simply the ones you mentioned relabeled - that would be totally killer. Most European controllers have dimming built-in (since dimmable 220 ballasts are a plenty), hopefully we can use it soon ...

The units I listed work off of a 0-5V commercial dimmer. They are tried and tested. It is only on my workbench becuase I am working in connecting it to the PC for dimming via my own software.

[smcnally]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10471304#post10471304 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fliger
OK then ... I'll rephrase ...

A tested dimmable T5 ballast distributed by a reefing company finally available. :)

Dude...IceCap ballasts have been dimmable for some time ;)

[BeanAnimal]

They (the icecaps) don't dim T5 bulbs worth a hoot.

[Fliger]

Cool Bean, thanks (or is that, Cool Beans, Bean). Can you show me some threads where any reefers have been dimming their aquarist T5 tubes? I'd just like to see their experiences. You know I'm not doubting you - just like to see how they liked it, did it affect spectral shift or bulb life, etc. Thanks!

smcnally - those are for VHO. IC has repeatedly said they do not have a T5 ballast or other hardward suitable for dimming T5. ;) ;)

Treg, let us know how it turns out. From what I've read - Europeans have been dimming T5's in pendants for awhile. I've been told a thousand times why its easier with 220, and 0-10V controls than 110 ... but I never remember why. And that you can't just put a European dimmable fixture on a transformer/converted. Maybe Giesemann did something different this time? I heard they were working on it.

Nuuze, lol. I just wired up my new Frankenlight Sfuzablowie with a Universal - looks like I'll be switching it again. Don't forget, I am still the reigning IC wiring champion. :lol:

[BeanAnimal]

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=644171&highlight=RZT2s54

[smcnally]

I stand corrected :D

[Fliger]

Thanks Bean. I pm'd ribs to see it was going for him long term. He posted that in a couple threads back in 2005 but I couldn't find anything since. I'm going to pick up one of the ballasts mentioned above and will post results.

[afelder]

Does anyone know if they have dim able ballasts for 39 watt lamps or just the 54?

[Proline]

Afelder
The 39w version will not be available till early 08 ,the manufactuerer we got the 54w ballasts from does not manufacturer a 39w dimmable ballast & we are currently testing 3 different brands, 2 from Europe & one from China .

Regards
Shane
ProlineAquatics

[smcnally]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10473850#post10473850 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Proline
2 from Europe & one from China .

Regards
Shane
ProlineAquatics

I say go with one of the European brands...China doesn't seem to have much quality control lately. Lets see...So far they've tried to kill us with Toothpaste with Ethylene Glycol, Thomas the Train Toys and Mattell toys with Lead Paint, Baby Formula that wasn't even baby formula, pet food that kills pets...Need I go on?

[Proline]

That is why we test them
We even tested the German ballasts & yes most likely we will go with the European make ,but the price difference for the consumer is so much that we thought it makes sense to give them a try ,the same company makes products for some of the most reputable Global names as well & that is why we consider trying them.
Regards

[Chrisrush]

Will the 54w ballast fire 2 24w bulbs?

[BeanAnimal]

FWIW I mistyped. The unit I have works from a 0-10V standard dimmer line (I typed 5v).

It is off the bench and on the tank finaly. It works like a charm.

Bean

[Treg]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10473330#post10473330 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fliger


Treg, let us know how it turns out.
Hey fliger.

Got the fixture a week ago but just got it up tonight...

Having a small problem that I need to email Phil about but hopefully it's nothing big...


The controller:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/texasholdemtreg/240%20FBH/MT1.jpg

Dimming @ 1%
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/texasholdemtreg/240%20FBH/1.jpg

50%
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/texasholdemtreg/240%20FBH/50.jpg

100%
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/texasholdemtreg/240%20FBH/100.jpg

[ZooZ]

that is saweet

[Fishbulb2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10474991#post10474991 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Proline
That is why we test them
We even tested the German ballasts & yes most likely we will go with the European make ,but the price difference for the consumer is so much that we thought it makes sense to give them a try ,the same company makes products for some of the most reputable Global names as well & that is why we consider trying them.
Regards

Even better in my opinion is to provide the consumer the option. Carry both a cheap chinese version and the higher end german version.

[Fliger]

I got my ballast in yesterday - just need to wire it up. I think I'm going to hook it up my Aquasunlight NG. It'll control 2x54W and I'll just keep the other two on standard ballast. Hopefully its compatible with the B2, I believe I have it all figured out. Leaving for a little diving/golf trip tomorrow so I'll get to it later next week.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l134/dfliger/Damage/IMG_5514.jpg

Treg that is totally sweet. Which fixture did you end up going with? I love their Infinity/Spectra fixtures. I'll have to check your build thread.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10616683#post10616683 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BeanAnimal
FWIW I mistyped. The unit I have works from a 0-10V standard dimmer line (I typed 5v).

It is off the bench and on the tank finaly. It works like a charm.

Bean

Cool, I should have known you'd be able to do it. :lol: Do you have any action shots? Can you give us some more details on the dimmer you used and how it works? Is it automated to be controlled throughout the day?

[Fliger]

Got a couple PM's - its availabe at Aquarium Specialty

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=49_234_355

[BeanAnimal]

I am using a dallas 1-wire interface to dim my unit. No action photos, I am to busy :)

The dallas 1-wire potentiomenter is controlled via my DIY automation software. It would appear that that ballast above is the same unit I purchased :) I would be willing to bet that it is a simple 0-10V dimmer as well. (They are pretty standard). If course the purchaser could have requested a custom interface... so who knows.

[Nuuze]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10690449#post10690449 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Treg
Hey fliger.

Got the fixture a week ago but just got it up tonight...

Having a small problem that I need to email Phil about but hopefully it's nothing big...


The controller:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/texasholdemtreg/240%20FBH/MT1.jpg

Dimming @ 1%
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/texasholdemtreg/240%20FBH/1.jpg

50%
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/texasholdemtreg/240%20FBH/50.jpg

100%
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/texasholdemtreg/240%20FBH/100.jpg

Treg,

What model Giesemann is that? Does it dim T5 and MH? Got more pics? Looks pretty sweet! :D

[jamesdawson]

Claude from Fauna Marin recently said they would be releasing their Ultra-Solaris fixtures with dimmable 110v ballasts in October.

"Hi baj

The 24 Watt Versions will be available around of 1st. october
also in the 110 V Version

All others will be then available in a dimmable Version
greets"

Claude

Interests: Diving Coralfarming

James

[Chrisrush]

Did he say what they were dimmed by? 1-10v or DALI?

[jamesdawson]

I don't know Chris,

You could call Aquarium Obsessed or pm Claude.

James

[Chrisrush]

Thanks James.

[Nuuze]

I posted this question on another thread:

Is there is simple controller type to control the dimming of the sunrise/sunset for the T5's? Something like a 15 minute duration dim up and dim down? I would like to incorporate the T5 dimming into my Sfiligoi Xr4 that already has MH dimming capabilities. Or will I need a controller like the Profilux?

[Creetin]

Pretty sure you'll need the controller. You plan o changing your current t-5 ballast with one?
Check back after macna, Profilux (Matthias/ or Proline) may have a solution for you when they return.

[Nuuze]

Okay, thanks.

Yeah, just seeing how much it would costs and what I would need to get dimmable T5's (4-53w) integrated into my Sfiligoi XR4 fixture that already has the ACLS dimmable halides.