Metal Halide Ballasts, which one is which? Answers here: - Page 37

fragaholic · #**901** 03/04/2005, 09:54 AM

Do only the DE require UV glass or do the SE do as well?

electric130 · #**902** 03/04/2005, 10:48 AM

DE only

webpolk · #**903** 03/04/2005, 11:15 AM

Well, I left the ballast plugged in yesterday for more than 5 minutes, and the bulb fired back up fine.

Now the bulb fires normally and I do not see any flicker.

Could this have been a fluke, or does the ballast sound like it is going out?

Thanks for all your help,
Steve

electric130 · #**904** 03/04/2005, 11:16 AM

hard to say

SEAREEF · #**905** 03/05/2005, 05:21 PM

i have ran most all ballasts ,pfo -hqi 400 watts ,pfo 400 regular,ice cap 250 electronic, ice cap 400 electronic,coralvue 400 electronic ...........................
with that being said
i now run 2 -250watt electronic ice caps and 3 400watt electronic coralvues
PLUS VHOS
Also no t.v. interference

webpolk · #**906** 03/07/2005, 11:22 AM

FYI - I have done some more research into my problem. I contacted Advanced and they walked me through testing the ballast. Aparently all Advance ballasts are testable with a simple multi-meter that can test VAC and amps.

You can get the ranges from the Advance web site. Please use ballast part number 72c3584 to reference the location of numbers you need.

You need to measure the red and white wires that goto the bulb.
VAC range should be 220-270 (mine 248)
AMPS range should be 3.10-3.75 (mine 0)

These values will be different for your ballast, so make sure you look them up.

My ballast tested great in VAC but zero for AMPS. The Advance technician told me this means the capacitor is bad and since this is a FCAN style, it is useless and un-repairable. He also stated that the ballast would damage any bulb run in it and advised disposing of it right away.

I just wanted to pass this on to all those who are unsure of their ballasts' state. Please do not attempt to test this yourself if you do not completely feel comfortable working with power. Hell, I will go one step further.

Have a qualified person test it. I will not be responsible for someone electricuting themselves.

So at the very least, call/email Advance. They are very responsive and helpful.

HTH,
Steve

kennethl · #**907** 03/08/2005, 10:17 AM

I found a place that sells 400 watt HID Electronic Ballasts for $100.

https://secure.lumenlab.com/shop/group.php?id=4 (bottom of page)

The next cheapest I could find was $197 at marine depot.

I though I'd check in with the forum and see if anyone might have found another, cheaper option before I open the wallet. Suggestions, comments?

thanks

magma01 · #**908** 03/08/2005, 02:41 PM

electric,
have you heard any good or bad things about the EVC Tech electronic ballasts? I'm specifically looking at the 250W model, but there aren't too much info out there about it.

SEAREEF · #**909** 03/08/2005, 07:22 PM

TRY CORAL VUE ,I TALKED TO THE OWNER WHO SEEMS REALLY KNOWLEDGBLE,AND SAYS HE WILL STAND BEHIND HIS PRODUCT .THE BEST 400 ELECT IVE TRYED ,AND IVE TRYED A FEW

ATM · #**910** 03/08/2005, 07:54 PM

I'm having a hard time deciding if I should get this light fixture for my 108G corner bow tank. Just want to know if this is a good model. I will be hanging this over the tank. I think the price is roughly $360. thanks I also want to get that crisp white is the 14K good or should I get the 10K

High quality remote magnetic ballast with cooling fan, 420 watt, 14000Â° K

Double ended metal halide lamps & fluorescent lamps

FULL SPECTRUM (2x150 watt)

Fluorescent Lamp:54 watt x 2 Actinics

Bulb type: T5, Base: G5

Fixture (Hood) size: 48"x 13Â¾"x3Â¼"

7 feet power cord

Ballast: Electro galvanized sheet metal housing with silver coat finish

Independent ON/OFF switch for metal halide lamps, fluorescent lamps & cooling fan

ATM · #**911** 03/08/2005, 07:54 PM

I'm having a hard time deciding if I should get this light fixture for my 108G corner bow tank. Just want to know if this is a good model. I will be hanging this over the tank. I think the price is roughly $360. thanks I also want to get that crisp white is the 14K good or should I get the 10K

High quality remote magnetic ballast with cooling fan, 420 watt, 14000Â° K

Double ended metal halide lamps & fluorescent lamps

FULL SPECTRUM (2x150 watt)

Fluorescent Lamp:54 watt x 2 Actinics

Bulb type: T5, Base: G5

Fixture (Hood) size: 48"x 13Â¾"x3Â¼"

7 feet power cord

Ballast: Electro galvanized sheet metal housing with silver coat finish

Independent ON/OFF switch for metal halide lamps, fluorescent lamps & cooling fan

ATM · #**912** 03/09/2005, 01:00 PM

anyone? Bueller?

Maldivan · #**913** 03/11/2005, 11:35 PM

Dumb question but hey... Ill ask the experts.
I have a standard 175W Dual PFO Ballast and PFO moguls and wiring. I want to upgrade to 250W. Can I just buy a new dual 250W PFO ballast and 250W bulbs and use my existing moguls and PFO wiring? Ive looked at the sites and it looks as If I can. Sorry to sem like a tard

, but I just want to be sure b4 I do it. Thanks all!

SEAREEF · #**914** 03/11/2005, 11:41 PM

Maldivan
yes you can ...........change bulbs and ballast

SEAREEF · #**915** 03/11/2005, 11:42 PM

you can even upgrade to hqi

Maldivan · #**916** 03/12/2005, 12:16 AM

ty Kindly

SEAREEF · #**917** 03/12/2005, 12:20 AM

no problem anytime

electric130 · #**918** 03/14/2005, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by magma01
electric,
have you heard any good or bad things about the EVC Tech electronic ballasts? I'm specifically looking at the 250W model, but there aren't too much info out there about it.

haven't heard much. still pretty new.

electric130 · #**919** 03/14/2005, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kennethl
I found a place that sells 400 watt HID Electronic Ballasts for $100.

https://secure.lumenlab.com/shop/group.php?id=4 (bottom of page)

The next cheapest I could find was $197 at marine depot.

I though I'd check in with the forum and see if anyone might have found another, cheaper option before I open the wallet. Suggestions, comments?

thanks

looks good. any waranty?

electric130 · #**920** 03/14/2005, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ATM
I'm having a hard time deciding if I should get this light fixture for my 108G corner bow tank. Just want to know if this is a good model. I will be hanging this over the tank. I think the price is roughly $360. thanks I also want to get that crisp white is the 14K good or should I get the 10K

High quality remote magnetic ballast with cooling fan, 420 watt, 14000Â° K

Double ended metal halide lamps & fluorescent lamps

FULL SPECTRUM (2x150 watt)

Fluorescent Lamp:54 watt x 2 Actinics

Bulb type: T5, Base: G5

Fixture (Hood) size: 48"x 13Â¾"x3Â¼"

7 feet power cord

Ballast: Electro galvanized sheet metal housing with silver coat finish

Independent ON/OFF switch for metal halide lamps, fluorescent lamps & cooling fan

looks alright. who makes it and who's the retailer? from the 14k's that i've ran, they're straight up blue. i put a hamilton 14k next to an XM 20k and there was very little difference. 10k is a much better choice IMO if you're wanting a white appearance. the T5 actinics will make it look nice.

electric130 · #**921** 03/14/2005, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maldivan
Dumb question but hey... Ill ask the experts.
I have a standard 175W Dual PFO Ballast and PFO moguls and wiring. I want to upgrade to 250W. Can I just buy a new dual 250W PFO ballast and 250W bulbs and use my existing moguls and PFO wiring? Ive looked at the sites and it looks as If I can. Sorry to sem like a tard , but I just want to be sure b4 I do it. Thanks all!

yes you can. you can also save some money and just buy the bare ballasts for $50 each and replace the ones inside the case with the 250's instead of buying a whole new setup. pretty easy to do. keep the 175's around though, you never know when you might need them.

electric130 · #**922** 03/14/2005, 09:10 PM

sorry for the delayed responses everyone. i was in Italy for a week on vacation.

Maldivan · #**923** 03/15/2005, 08:20 PM

Thanks for the input Electric! The ole herc in your avatar...man Ive spent a few hundred hours in them while I was in the USAF

When We deployed to Desert Storm we took a Herc from RAF Lakenheath in the UK to Taif - Saudi Arabia.Stopping in Zaragoza Spain,Sicily , and Cairo to refuel ....was the longest 18 hours of my military life!

electric130 · #**924** 03/15/2005, 09:19 PM

when i went to saudi, we left Pope, went up to mass. to refuel, then over to the azores at Lajes Field (12 hours that leg). stayed there a couple days. left to go to Sigonella, got there, but they didn't have a hot spot to park on since we were carrying chaff and flare. got diverted up to Aviano. 16 hours after leaving Lajes, and dangerously low on fuel, we landed at Aviano. broke for nose wheel steering, stayed the night. left there and flew another 12 hours down to PSAB in saudi. took us about a week to get there! stayed there for 2 months then went to germany for a month. stopped at Souda Bay, Crete for a day on the way. That place was gorgeous! all this was in 2000 for Operation Southern Watch. I was electrical and environmental on them (or "E&E")

Maldivan · #**925** 03/15/2005, 10:53 PM

<<< Crew Chief / Engs / Hydro

F-111F , KC-135

Lajes Is awesome! Most beatiful base ive ever stayed at! Right on the beach. Crete Rocks too , my dad was stationed at Iraklion when we were kids.Our base housing was probably 1/4 mile from the beach at most. Thanks for the tips on the ballasts - id never have thought of " de - housing " them and keeping the PFO box!