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  #51  
Old 08/06/2003, 05:24 PM
PaulErik PaulErik is offline
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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  
Old 08/06/2003, 05:28 PM
PYelton PYelton is offline
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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  
Old 08/06/2003, 05:34 PM
LIReefer LIReefer is offline
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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  
Old 08/06/2003, 05:58 PM
PaulErik PaulErik is offline
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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  
Old 08/06/2003, 06:04 PM
LIReefer LIReefer is offline
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That clears up a lot

Thanks
  #56  
Old 08/07/2003, 08:47 AM
electric130 electric130 is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by PaulErik
These ballasts will meet Radium lamp specs and recommendations:

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
This would explain why my 400w radium on an M135 venture looked the same in color as my 250w radium does.
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  #57  
Old 08/11/2003, 02:15 PM
Canter292 Canter292 is offline
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Thank you. This is useful info.
  #58  
Old 08/11/2003, 06:30 PM
tye_c tye_c is offline
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Where is the cheapest place to buy an 250w electronic ballast?
  #59  
Old 08/11/2003, 07:19 PM
Handyman Handyman is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by tye_c
Where is the cheapest place to buy an 250w electronic ballast?
LOL, good luck
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
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Last edited by Handyman; 08/11/2003 at 07:24 PM.
  #60  
Old 08/11/2003, 10:19 PM
hock51 hock51 is offline
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Smile

Thanks to all of you for great info!
  #61  
Old 08/11/2003, 11:59 PM
darn1 darn1 is offline
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wll any reflector work on any ballast such as sunlight supplys reeftek reflector on pfo elec ballsat or will mod's be required.
  #62  
Old 08/12/2003, 06:06 AM
electric130 electric130 is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by darn1
wll any reflector work on any ballast such as sunlight supplys reeftek reflector on pfo elec ballsat or will mod's be required.
you'll have to modify the electrical cords.
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  #63  
Old 08/13/2003, 01:26 AM
darn1 darn1 is offline
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oh ok, thanks
  #64  
Old 08/15/2003, 10:23 AM
BLUESMAN BLUESMAN is offline
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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  
Old 08/15/2003, 10:51 AM
electric130 electric130 is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by BLUESMAN
They are Advance #71A8492(400w)
the 71A8492 is a 400w S51 HPS ballast.

Quote:
Originally posted by BLUESMAN
and an Magnetek #1230-92S(250w)
is a 250w S50 HPS ballast. i have heard, but cannot speak from experience that the HPS ballasts will drive a radium close to euro specs (i think ushio's and AB's too). do both of these ballasts have capacitors and ignitors? if so, chances are that the 400 is a HPS.

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.
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  #66  
Old 08/15/2003, 12:19 PM
BLUESMAN BLUESMAN is offline
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Thanks for info and the future info!Blue.....Yes they both have the capacitors and iginiters
  #67  
Old 08/16/2003, 12:33 AM
PaulErik PaulErik is offline
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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  
Old 08/16/2003, 09:37 AM
BLUESMAN BLUESMAN is offline
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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  
Old 08/16/2003, 11:54 AM
Jfishdr Jfishdr is offline
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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  
Old 08/18/2003, 12:40 AM
ejocam ejocam is offline
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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  
Old 08/20/2003, 06:06 AM
Reaper Reaper is offline
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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  
Old 08/22/2003, 08:10 AM
outprowllin outprowllin is offline
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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  
Old 08/22/2003, 10:30 AM
newreefer03 newreefer03 is offline
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Are electronic ballasts really that much better? I am thinking of setting up 2 DE pendants and am wondering which ballasts should I use.
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  #74  
Old 08/22/2003, 04:38 PM
electric130 electric130 is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by newreefer03
Are electronic ballasts really that much better? I am thinking of setting up 2 DE pendants and am wondering which ballasts should I use.
it depends on which of the pros and cons listed in at the beginning are important to you. i'm running 2-250 electronics on my tank now. it's piece of mind, if nothing else, that no matter what bulb you throw at it, it will run it. i'm running iwasaki's right now and compared to an M58 ballast, i'd say the saki's are more white.
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  #75  
Old 08/23/2003, 07:27 PM
Stretch Stretch is offline
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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.
 

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