odyssea MH fixture review... new electronic version - Page 34

JxMetal · #**826** 08/21/2007, 08:10 PM

I just bought this ballast for the 2006 175w HQI version.

pfo dual 150w ballast

Has anyone here used a PFO ballast to replace the odyssea ballast yet?

Level 4 · #**827** 08/21/2007, 09:05 PM

I just bought the 24" 380 watt fixture,opened the box and was unable to fire the MH.I e-mailed the company yesterday and am still waiting for a response.
Level 4

carlso63 · #**828** 08/21/2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Level 4
I just bought the 24" 380 watt fixture,opened the box and was unable to fire the MH.I e-mailed the company yesterday and am still waiting for a response.
Level 4

Was the MH bulb loose? Did you remove the glass shield and check it?

jmc74 · #**829** 08/21/2007, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JxMetal
I just bought this ballast for the 2006 175w HQI version.

pfo dual 150w ballast

Has anyone here used a PFO ballast to replace the odyssea ballast yet?

no but did you try to use the 150w bulbs using the 175w ballast? I read before, that the 175w odyssea are actually 150w.

before you install the PFO check the 150w bulbs on the odyssea, you might be pleasantly surprise

jmc74 · #**830** 08/21/2007, 09:14 PM

btw I just bought used localy a 24" single 175w Odyssea (2006), so im going to try the 150w bulb my self... in time...

vry strange, the capacitor inside the ballast reads 150w, but the magetic ballast says 175w...

can it be a 150 remarked?

DarG · #**831** 08/21/2007, 10:20 PM

DE's dont come in 175 watt versions. You wont find a 175 watt double ended bulb from any of the major bulb manufacturers. They can label the bulb with anything they want to, but they are 150 watt.

Please, dont think you have to try and track down "special" 175 watt DE's for these fixtures. If you want to use a 150 watt Phoenix or Reeflux or whatever 150 watt DE you want to try. Go for it. 175 watt DE is a fantasy.

I hate to see this company making people think that they have to get a replacement bulb that they can only buy from them (or a few other places that figure they would try and cash in on the sham).

JxMetal · #**832** 08/21/2007, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jmc74
no but did you try to use the 150w bulbs using the 175w ballast? I read before, that the 175w odyssea are actually 150w.

before you install the PFO check the 150w bulbs on the odyssea, you might be pleasantly surprise

Yeah, I use 150 watt 14k Phoenix bulbs.

My unit started melting where the ballast and fixture quick connects......connect.

That was today

Level 4 · #**833** 08/25/2007, 06:12 PM

Yes I checked the bulb as well as the ballast with negative results.I have also sent Aquatraders 2 e-mails with no response.I also phoned the company and was informed that I should contact the sales department via e-mail.(I already have twice)so here I wait.
Level 4

david821 · #**834** 08/26/2007, 07:36 AM

whan replaceing theses ballast do you need to have the so called hqi or does any electronic ballast work im seeing the numbers m80 on hqi models and m58 on mogal not really wanting to spend 300 more on ballasts thanks

DarG · #**835** 08/26/2007, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by david821
whan replaceing theses ballast do you need to have the so called hqi or does any electronic ballast work im seeing the numbers m80 on hqi models and m58 on mogal not really wanting to spend 300 more on ballasts thanks

You can use an electronic ballast. Magentic HQI is the ballast spec'd to run the bulbs. But electronic ballasts are made to run any bulb and will run all but a very few. They will run most DE bulbs below spec but they will still run the bulbs. Most people feel that they are fine to use. You just will typically get more par from the bulb with the spec'd ballast which is the Magentic HQI

Somebody just picked up a dual 150 watt PFO M80 for $150 on sale. That is easily cheaper than you would pay for two brand name electronics. I think Champion lighting was where it was on sale ... if you need 150 watt ballasts that is. Not sure if 250 watt is on sale.

wpbfishguy · #**836** 08/26/2007, 03:07 PM

Can someone tell me if anyone has modded their fixture for T-5's yet instead of the stock PC's. If so what page was it on. Thanks

JxMetal · #**837** 08/27/2007, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DarG
You can use an electronic ballast. Magentic HQI is the ballast spec'd to run the bulbs. But electronic ballasts are made to run any bulb and will run all but a very few. They will run most DE bulbs below spec but they will still run the bulbs. Most people feel that they are fine to use. You just will typically get more par from the bulb with the spec'd ballast which is the Magentic HQI

Somebody just picked up a dual 150 watt PFO M80 for $150 on sale. That is easily cheaper than you would pay for two brand name electronics. I think Champion lighting was where it was on sale ... if you need 150 watt ballasts that is. Not sure if 250 watt is on sale.

That was me, I just got the ballast today. It's at another address so I won't be able to physically see it until tomorrow and I'm going to re-wire it tomorrow. I suppose I can post a review.

KMP · #**838** 08/28/2007, 12:48 AM

very informative thread. answered all my questions but two. if i missed it i apologize.

what is the general consensus regarding the best ballast replacement; IceCap or CoralVue.

also, which IceCap ballast do you need 660 or 430 for the 36" (1 - 250w) fixture.

thanks.

jmc74 · #**839** 08/28/2007, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KMP
very informative thread. answered all my questions but two. if i missed it i apologize.

what is the general consensus regarding the best ballast replacement; IceCap or CoralVue.

either is fine... coralvue is less expensive, but just as good IMO.

Quote:

Originally posted by KMP
also, which IceCap ballast do you need 660 or 430 for the 36" (1 - 250w) fixture.

thanks.

neither, you need 250w Metal halide ballast, correct me if im wrong, but the 660 and 440 are for VHO/T5

KMP · #**840** 08/28/2007, 01:39 AM

jmc, thanks for the info.

i got trigger happy after finding a coralvue 250w dimmable ballast on ebay for $119 free shipping. it's a done deal now.

after browsing the thread i didnt' see any glaring winner. folks seem happy with either and either is a big improvement.

jmc74 · #**841** 08/28/2007, 01:45 AM

yeah, I have 2 non-dimmable...

when you get it, I have a tutorial on page 27, also let us know how the dimmable ballast work... color at it's lowest and also how color changes when using HIGH, i know they overdrive about 10%

KMP · #**842** 08/28/2007, 01:53 AM

which split is th tutorial on? i went to all three splits and nothing on pg 27 (could be dozing off too

)

epicfish · #**843** 08/28/2007, 01:58 AM

It's the few last posts of page 27 of this thread.

Could anyone point me to the VHO and T5 mods for this fixture?

Thanks.

KMP · #**844** 08/28/2007, 02:00 AM

ok, i found jmc's tutorial - it's on page 45:

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...&pagenumber=45

jmc74 · #**845** 08/28/2007, 02:05 AM

page 27, 45... all the same

as for the VHO mod, Mia did it way back on the first split..

so go back to the beginning

KMP · #**846** 08/28/2007, 02:08 AM

Quote:

page 27, 45... all the same

On a 3 page split w/65 pages each - you were close

Level 4 · #**847** 08/28/2007, 09:41 PM

Sorry to keep harping on the subject,but I'm still waitind on an e-mail resonse 8 day later.GREAT customer service.I will never buy from this company again.
Level 4

jamesbuf · #**848** 08/28/2007, 10:10 PM

I read through this entire thread a while ago. I remember people saying something about buying units without ballasts and saving some money. I believe it was supposedly $40. Is it confirmed that aquatraders will actually do this?

They now have the 36" version with dual 250watt MHs. I will definitely get this if I'm able to save buy not including the ballast.

King Nine · #**849** 08/28/2007, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KMP
On a 3 page split w/65 pages each - you were close

It is on page 27. It is the repost I used. Awesome tutorial, you can see my tweak aroung page 28 or 29 if you do it. It will get you about an inch more wire to play with.

King Nine · #**850** 08/28/2007, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Level 4
Sorry to keep harping on the subject,but I'm still waitind on an e-mail resonse 8 day later.GREAT customer service.I will never buy from this company again.
Level 4

I had to call them as they NEVER respond to email. There is a lot of talk about this on the first or second split.