t5 ballast suggestions

jbittner · 02/06/2007, 03:26 PM

I am looking for info on upgrading my t5 ballast. i run a 4x 54 wt t5 system on individual workhorse ballasts. I wondered what balllast you would suggest or should i just leave it be? I have had good sucess with this system, but maybe iit could be better.

Roland Jacques · 02/06/2007, 03:42 PM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1031072

jbittner · 02/06/2007, 03:51 PM

well I guess I will stay with the WH3.

dwdenny · 02/06/2007, 04:36 PM

I would try to get a triad or advance ballast designed for T5HO lamps. The WH ballasts do not have end of lamp life which is a good thing and the worst part they are rapid start which can decrease the lamp life. You want a ballast with a soft start or programed start.

jbittner · 02/07/2007, 12:40 AM

according to my electrician soft star does absolutely nothing for a one light a day fixture. all the hype or these ballasts are for normal light fixtures (on and off all day)

Roland Jacques · 02/07/2007, 06:49 AM

rapid start
instant start
programmed start

Which = soft start?

dwdenny i think the ones you mentioned are instant start ballast not soft start. i was under the impression that instant start were the worst for lamp life, then rapid then programmed.

im going to start a new thread on this topic.

The Grim Reefer · 02/07/2007, 07:50 AM

according to the engineers who designed the lamps, the programed start increases lamp life 25% by not blowing material off the electrodes every time the lamp is fired.

dwdenny · 02/07/2007, 09:52 AM

here is the spec sheet on the advance notice it is the Programmed start ballast but is still rapid start. I have a couple of links to other ballasts companies will look and see what I can come up with tonight.

http://www.advancetransformer.com/eC...2582342981.pdf

The Grim Reefer · 02/07/2007, 11:39 AM

There are a couple different names they use, programmed, rapid and soft start.

02/06/2007, 03:26 PM	#1
jbittner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Humboldt, NE Posts: 1,014	t5 ballast suggestions I am looking for info on upgrading my t5 ballast. i run a 4x 54 wt t5 system on individual workhorse ballasts. I wondered what balllast you would suggest or should i just leave it be? I have had good sucess with this system, but maybe iit could be better.

02/06/2007, 03:42 PM	#2
Roland Jacques Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 2,848	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1031072 __________________ Roland

02/06/2007, 04:36 PM	#4
dwdenny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Edinburg, Texas Posts: 1,369	I would try to get a triad or advance ballast designed for T5HO lamps. The WH ballasts do not have end of lamp life which is a good thing and the worst part they are rapid start which can decrease the lamp life. You want a ballast with a soft start or programed start. __________________ "Attitude determine altitude" Visit MAAST.org just click the "Red House" Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder in the works

02/07/2007, 06:49 AM	#6
Roland Jacques Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 2,848	rapid start instant start programmed start Which = soft start? dwdenny i think the ones you mentioned are instant start ballast not soft start. i was under the impression that instant start were the worst for lamp life, then rapid then programmed. im going to start a new thread on this topic. __________________ Roland

02/07/2007, 07:50 AM	#7
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	according to the engineers who designed the lamps, the programed start increases lamp life 25% by not blowing material off the electrodes every time the lamp is fired. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

02/06/2007, 03:51 PM	#3
jbittner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Humboldt, NE Posts: 1,014	well I guess I will stay with the WH3.

02/07/2007, 12:40 AM	#5
jbittner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Humboldt, NE Posts: 1,014	according to my electrician soft star does absolutely nothing for a one light a day fixture. all the hype or these ballasts are for normal light fixtures (on and off all day)

02/07/2007, 09:52 AM	#8
dwdenny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Edinburg, Texas Posts: 1,369	here is the spec sheet on the advance notice it is the Programmed start ballast but is still rapid start. I have a couple of links to other ballasts companies will look and see what I can come up with tonight. http://www.advancetransformer.com/eC...2582342981.pdf __________________ "Attitude determine altitude" Visit MAAST.org just click the "Red House" Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder in the works Last edited by dwdenny; 02/07/2007 at 10:03 AM.

02/07/2007, 11:39 AM	#9
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	There are a couple different names they use, programmed, rapid and soft start. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting