|
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread | Display Modes |
#51
|
|||
|
|||
I got in contact with Radium while I was meeting my exporter in Europe. I use to import and distribute Radium products but after my contact at Radium left I haven’t dealt with them in over a year.
These ballasts will meet Radium lamp specs and recommendations: Radium 150-watt Blue lamp (HRI-TS 150W/230/B/RX7S) Ballast: ANSI M81 Radium 250-watt Blue lamp (HRI-T 250W/230/B/E40) Ballast: ANSI M80 The 250W lamp has a design arc current of 3.0amps An ANSI M80 ballast is designed to limit arc current at 3.0 amps Radium 400-watt Blue lamp (HRI-T 400W/230/B/E40) Ballast: ANSI M135 / ANSI M155 The 400W lamp has a design arc current of 3.5 amps An ANSI M135/155 ballast is designed to limit arc current at 3.2-3.5 amps The M80 is a perfect match for the 250W lamp and the M135/M155 is the best match for the 400W lamp. Both ballasts meet the ignition voltage and pulse position (degrees). Not all ballasts are a like. The Radium lamps are recommended to be operated at a set waveform / Current Crest Factor (CCF) of 1.5. A higher CCF will cause more wear on the arc tube. The M80 ballast is currently only available in a HX (High Reactance Autotransformer) circuit type. This ballast will drive the lamp at the recommended CCF of 1.5. The M135/M155 ballast is available in many different circuit types. Each circuit type will drive the lamp at a different CCF. The best match is a HX-HPF (High Reactance Autotransformer). The HX ANSI M135/M155 is currently only manufactured by one manufacturer to my knowledge (Venture Lighting International) http://www.venturelighting.com/VLPS/.../V90AM7630.pdf Using the ballasts listed above should give optimal performance. Hope that helps |
#52
|
|||
|
|||
Well Paul beat me to it ,but I did want to correct myself-I was off in my math in my first post-the radium is being overdriven by 70 watts on an hqi ballast -not 60 Whereas the 10k is only overdriven by 30..
A blue bulb would probably not last as long as a broader spectrum bulb would in the first place because of the monochromatic(nearly) spectrum plus the decreased overall intensity, let alone overdrivng one so much-thats why they only last about six month on an hqi ballast..this parts JMO however |
#53
|
|||
|
|||
I'm new to the MH game
Is this the right combo???
I purchased a used PFO AQ2175mh ballast and 2 - 175w 10k ushio bulbs (7 months old) First - Is this a proper combo? Also, how much more life is left on those bulbs? I plan on doing the install this weekend, so before I move forward with that, should I buy new bulbs? If so, what is the optimum bulb for that ballast? Thanks so much - Ed |
#54
|
|||
|
|||
PFO AQ2175MH ballast houses two standard metal halide ballasts (ANSI M57). The optimal ballast for an Ushio 175-watt 10,000K lamp is a pulse start (ANSI M137 / M152) http://www.ushio.com/files/Aqualite.pdf
Bulb life will be shortened using a standard ballast with the Ushio lamp but the lamp should be good for at least 12 months. Lamp starting can become a problem when the lamp ages with a standard ballast because the standard isn’t equipped with an ignitor. Lamp aging is accelerated with a standard ballast because it runs the lamp at a higher CCF and uses less voltage to ignite the lamp. You can continue using the Ushio lamp when its time to replace but its not the optimal ballast. The problem is finding a good lamp that is designed for a standard ballast. You can use almost any 175-watt lamp available in the aquarium market. Every 175W lamp except the Ushio and AB are designed for the standard ballast. Hope that helps |
#55
|
|||
|
|||
That clears up a lot
Thanks |
#56
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
__________________
J.R. |
#57
|
|||
|
|||
Thank you. This is useful info.
|
#58
|
|||
|
|||
Where is the cheapest place to buy an 250w electronic ballast?
|
#59
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
This is what I bought 2 x PFO 15in Parallel Reflector w/ mogule socket PFO 2 Bulb VHO Retro 2 x IceCap 250watt NEW Style Halide Ballast $117.96 each 2 x 250w 10k AB 2 x 110w VHO Actinic's the pics are in the middle of page 3 here http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...5&pagenumber=3 also you may want to read this http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...5&pagenumber=1 the only problem is you have to wire them up
__________________
I’ve found that 50 percent of so-called experts have no clue! Last edited by Handyman; 08/11/2003 at 07:24 PM. |
#60
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks to all of you for great info!
|
#61
|
|||
|
|||
wll any reflector work on any ballast such as sunlight supplys reeftek reflector on pfo elec ballsat or will mod's be required.
|
#62
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
__________________
J.R. |
#63
|
|||
|
|||
oh ok, thanks
|
#64
|
|||
|
|||
I was given two MH ballast,but I'm having a hard time searching for info on them.They are Advance #71A8492(400w) and an Magnetek #1230-92S(250w).What bulbs can I use on these??Thanks Blue!!
|
#65
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Quote:
i have a friend that is a lighting system designer. i just emailed him and i'll let you know what he says about bulbs. most people don't buy these ballasts because they're more expensive than MH ballasts.
__________________
J.R. |
#66
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks for info and the future info!Blue.....Yes they both have the capacitors and iginiters
|
#67
|
|||
|
|||
BLUESMAN,
An ANSI S50 (250-watt HPS) ballast will operate Double-Ended and Single-Ended European lamps (ANSI M80 lamps). The main difference between S50 and M80 is the ignition voltage and Open Circuit Voltage (OCV). Lamp manufacturers generally recommend against using an ANSI S50 ballast to operate ANSI M80 lamps. See this post for more info: http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=223528 The S51 (400-watt HPS) ballast will operate European (High Current) Single-Ended lamps. The S51 ballast has the same problem. The OCV and ignition voltage is lower than the European lamps are designed for. If the ballast to lamp wire length is kept short as possible lamp starting shouldn’t be a big problem. For best performance a special superimposed or a modified ignitor should be used in place of the ignitor that comes with those ballasts. The problem is finding the correct ignitor and they usually cost a lot because no one currently manufacturers them in North America. Replacing the equipped ignitor (standard HPS) with a Pulse Start MH ignitor will not work. The ignitors commonly used in North America (impulser type) are dependent on the OCV and the number of windings on the ballasts secondary coil. Here is a list of lamps that will operate/run on those ballasts: Ballast: ANSI S50 Constant Wattage Autotransformer (CWA) 250-watt MH lamps: AB Daylight DE AB 10,000K DE/SE Airam Daylight DE/SE BLV Daylight DE/SE BLV 10,000K DE/SE Osram Daylight DE/SE Radium Daylight SE/DE Radium Blue (20,000K) SE Ushio Daylight DE/SE Ushio 10,000K DE Ballast: ANSI S51 Constant Wattage Autotransformer (CWA) 400-watt MH lamps: AB 10,000K SE Airam Daylight SE BLV Daylight SE BLV 10,000K SE BLV Blue (20,000K) Osram Daylight (BT type ONLY) SE Radium Daylight SE Ushio Daylight SE Ushio 10,000K SE DE = Double-Ended Lamp SE = Single-Ended Lamp I did not list every lamp that will work. Other lamps will operate. The Radium 400-watt Blue is not listed because the S51 ballast will overdrive that lamp. NOTE: For optimal and most reliable performance only use the ANSI ballast the lamp manufacturer has designed the lamp for. The lamps I listed will operate/run but you may run into starting/ignition problems if the standard HPS ignitor is used. Usually lamp starting is not a problem when the lamp is new. When the lamp ages it requires a higher starting voltage. Starting reliability will vary with different model/make ballasts. I can’t comment on the ballasts you listed because for some reason my catalogs do not list the specifications for them. I personally have not tested any ballast that has an OCV lower than 185 (ANSI S50) and 190 (ANSI S51) because I almost always use a superimposed ignitor that has a cutoff voltage at 180. Hope that helps |
#68
|
|||
|
|||
Paulerik,Thanks for the vast of info! I was hoping to use the new Coralvue bulbs(10K) or Iwasaki(6.5K). The ballast will be installed behind the tank,so it will be a short distance(3-4'). Any additional info would be helpful. Thanks Blue
|
#69
|
|||
|
|||
best bulbs?
Hi all,
I just purchased a used Energy Savers Unlimited model AF175WD MH A serial 3400. 175/120v/3.7 amps. The hood holds 2-175 watt MH bulbs and 2-48" NO bulbs. I haven't been able to find the optimum bulbs for this fixture. I'm not sure if this ballast is probe or pulse start. I would like to run a 10,000k bulbs off this, but I am not sure which would be best....... I really don't want to start a fire . Thanks. Reed |
#70
|
|||
|
|||
VERY helpful and informative anwers guys. I didn't even have to ask the questions. Really helpful. For the guys out there like me who were blind and oblivious to all the spec talk and #'s, I found a site that has alot of pictures of diffrent lights (watt & K). Also they have comparisons and combonations to give the lost(ME) a picture of what you guys are talking about. Once again you guys are awesome.
Eric http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_bulb_color.htm |
#71
|
|||
|
|||
Great thread guys,
I what to set up 2 x 250w 20,000k Radiums over my tank with electric ballasts, how much life will I get out of the bulb? |
#72
|
|||
|
|||
great thread you have here electric....thanks for some great info. ive been away from mh for a long time and am alittle confused as to what to buy now . in the "old days" you call hamilton, they send you the lights..lol i guess im gonna jump back in but am looking for bulb info.......is the ushio 175 watt 10,000 k a good bulb? i have not heard much good or bad about it. i see the name all over the place so i have to wonder. it will go over a 36"50 gallon acrylic tank i have suppimented by my current vho's (bulbs to be determined later). i just am not sure what a good bulb would befor a mixed tank...i want the 175 watt due to heat concerns...........thanx for any input ...........jaime
|
#73
|
|||
|
|||
Are electronic ballasts really that much better? I am thinking of setting up 2 DE pendants and am wondering which ballasts should I use.
__________________
Dennis |
#74
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
__________________
J.R. |
#75
|
|||
|
|||
can any one tell what type of ballast, cool touching lighting runs on a ballast like this, if you could tell me the 250 as well that be great. I'm trying to price thing out on a bigger tank. I've had enought of this small crap
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=3212 I've figured out that, they are probe start. So would radium bulbs work on a probe ballast? Last edited by Stretch; 08/23/2003 at 07:37 PM. |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|