electronic vs pfo hqi mh ballast

[skidclan]

I am currently in the market to replace my existing mh lighting with 2 new ballasts. I am a little confused about the major differences between electronic and hqi ballasts. I was thinking of either going with a coralvue electronic dual ballast of the PFO HQI dual ballast. I am currently running SE bulbs but may someday shift to DE. Can anyone elaborate on the advantages or disadvantages of each ballast. I currently have an aro electronic ballast 250 watt but don't really like the output or color.

Thanks.

[RichConley]

HQI ballasts will burn out SE bulbs quickly. DE bulbs wont last as long on E-Ballasts, and aren't as efficient.

[Buganddoug]

http://www.championlighting.com/prod...cat=539&page=1
Available in 175, 250, & 400 watt.
Water-resistant and completely sealed in an epoxy filled metal casing.
Up to 25% more energy efficient than core & coil ballasts.
Longer Lamp Life (+50%)
Runs cooler than core & coil ballasts - warm to the touch.
Will not cause lamp flicker that is associated with other electronic MH ballasts.
Will not hum like core & coil ballasts.
First electronic MH ballast available in 400 watts.
Does not need to be tuned to fire a specific lamp.
Compatible with almost all mogul base and double ended lamps.
Easily convert any existing fixture to use an E-Ballast.
Operating range: 90-260V 50/60 Hz AC.
Includes a 6ft power cord and a 12ft quick disconnect harness.
cUL Listed, FCC compliant
18 month warranty from date of purchase
Blueline E-Ballast 250w
The BlueLine E-Ballast is an electronic metal halide ballast that is available in 175, 250, and 400 watts. The E-Ballast is water resistant and completely sealed in an epoxy filled metal casing .

Advantages of an E-ballast over a core & coil ballast:

Energy efficient! Uses 25% less electricicty!
Lighter
Smaller
No humming or noise
Cool to the touch!
Advantages of an E-ballast over other electronic ballasts:
First 400w electronic ballast on the market!
No bulb flicker.
Runs mogul & double ended lamps - no need for a separate HQI ballast (175w ballast also runs 150w DE lamps).
Runs on 110v & 220v.
Pre-wired with 6' power cord - no need for a bulky ballast box.
Includes 12' harness w/ quick disconnect.
Runs all brands of lamps - no limitations of lamp choices.
Only Dual 175w on the market!
UL listed & FCC approved.
18 Month warranty.
BlueLine E-Ballast Specifications
175W E-Ballast
175W Dual E-Ballast
250W E-Ballast
400W E-Ballast
Dimensions 9.75" x 4" x 3" 12" x 4" x 3" 9.75" x 4" x 3" 9.75" x 4" x 3"
Operating Temp. (F) 102
112
122
127

Power Factor
0.99
0.99
0.99
0.99

Input Voltage
90-260V
90-260V
90-260V
90-260V

Input Current
1.47 Amps
2.94 Amps
2.10 Amps
3.16 Amps

Watts 167 334 241 365
THD
5%
5%
5%
5%

Current Crest Factor
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5

Power Cord Pre-wired Pre-wired Pre-wired Pre-wired
Quick Disconnect Harness 12' harness 12' harness 12' harness 12' harness
Sound Rating A A A A
UL Listed Yes Yes Yes Yes
FCC Compliant Yes Yes Yes Yes
Hope this helps,
Daniel

[Pyrrhus]

Get the HQI, they are much more reliable than electronics and give more output.

[Buganddoug]

I do not think they are More reliable at all.
Buy over powering the lamp you do not even get close to the life span of an electronic ballast. All so over power lamps do lead to more Money ( burning out lamps, burning out Ballast, and your electric bill)
With electronic ballast you have your choice of lamp.
Electronic ballast gives better wave lengths in the color spectrum.
I hope this helps

[dfleary]

I think I'd like to take a class called "Metal Halide Lighting for the Aquarist 101". It is amazing how complicated it can get.