Is this a reliable ballast?

[fishboy19]

I'm just wondering if this is a good deal, or TOO good a deal if you know what I mean? Also, what bulbs could I use with this? Pulse or what? Sorry, I'm new at the metal halide stuff!

Thanks everyone,

-Matthew

[j0tca]

uh.. is what a good deal?

a link or something would help

Will

[fishboy19]

Well that was dumb...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46314&item=4353905977&rd=1

Thanks!

[j0tca]

Sounds like they are 250W standard magnetic ballasts. These work with most probe start bulbs and are by far the most common ballasts out there. I use them to power two 250 XM10k bulbs.

Not a bad price either, I paid $60 a ballast and then $15 for the reflector and had to wire and plac them in a box myself.

I would not say this is a good or bad deal, it's about average. The ballasts are pretty standard and will drive most of the bulbs you'll want, but not any special bulbs (12K or 20K) I bleive, but I'm really not an expert. There is a thread entitled "metal halided ballasts, which one is which" out there that is the place to get more specific knowledge from.

Will

[fishboy19]

thanks man. Though, I don't understand why it wouldn't power a 12 or 20k bulb, I didn't think that was really all the important to the ballast.

-Matthew

[j0tca]

It's because of what type of starting system is in the bulb, 12K only works with certain types of ballasts, mostly electronic I believe. Many of the 20K bulbs are puls start or want an HQI.

Again, this is what I've been told but is what I would consider unreliable info so don't take it to the bank.

Good luck with the metal halides though,
Will

[staticfishmonger]

also electronic ballasts use less energy, run a lot cooler, and extend the life of bulbs... just somthing to consider

[fishboy19]

hmm, I need to do some research. Are they any dual 250 watt electronic ballasts? I'd like to run 12-14k bulbs.

Thanks,

-Matthew

[j0tca]

Ahh, not that I have found, and I looked. My initial intent was to get dual 250 electronic. I came up empty handed and got 2 magnetic ballasts. Electronics are MUCH more expensive, running about $200 a ballast, compared to $60 for magnetic. They are a much better option if have the dough and want to experiment with different bulbs.

Look up that thread, it's got all the info on halides.

Will

[Rivenjim]

jotca you need to research before you tell someone that they cant use certain bulbs with magnetic ballasts(coralview,hamilton,and xm bulbs all run great on magnetic ballasts)and those brands have some choices in the color temp range your looking for hope this helps you out

[Frick-n-Frags]

If the bulb is an M-58 spec bulb, it will run on any M-58 ballast. This would include almost all of the SE MH bulbs. The only place where it becomes a concern is with some of the DE bulbs.

Electronic ballasts have the advantage of being able to fire pretty much any HID bulb there is.