Need clarification on eballast

kfowler · 04/26/2007, 06:44 AM

This was taken from Sanjay's FAQ page.

[B]"Electronic. ahhh, the great electronics. these will run any bulb at the rated wattage: probe start, pulse start, iwasakis, DE (double ended-HQI). if you think you might change your mind in the future, get an electronic. you can change bulbs to whatever you want and not have to worry about the ballast being the wrong type. electronics run cooler (a magnetic MH ballast will burn your hand if you touch the coil after it's been running for awhile). they also use less energy."[B/]

So to clarify, if I have a CF eballast rated at 65 watts and hook up a 30 watt VHO bulb, then the ballast will run the bulb at 30 watts. Correct?

aninjaatemyshoe · 04/26/2007, 11:35 AM

Sanjay was referring to Metal Halide electronic ballasts, not fluorescent ballasts. Completely different thing. The versatility of the Metal Halide electronic ballasts does not extend to fluorescent electronic ballasts. If you were to hook up your CF ballast to the VHO ballast, it may run it and it may not. I can almost guarrantee that it won't run it at 30W though. Chances are that if it does run the bulb it will give lousy output and significantly reduce the life of the bulb.

BurntOutReefer · 04/26/2007, 11:43 AM

actually...you would over-drive the bulb...you'd get 65w thru a 30w bulb....bulb would last maybe for a minute...or a month...

04/26/2007, 06:44 AM	#1
kfowler Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,095	Need clarification on eballast This was taken from Sanjay's FAQ page. [B]"Electronic. ahhh, the great electronics. these will run any bulb at the rated wattage: probe start, pulse start, iwasakis, DE (double ended-HQI). if you think you might change your mind in the future, get an electronic. you can change bulbs to whatever you want and not have to worry about the ballast being the wrong type. electronics run cooler (a magnetic MH ballast will burn your hand if you touch the coil after it's been running for awhile). they also use less energy."[B/] So to clarify, if I have a CF eballast rated at 65 watts and hook up a 30 watt VHO bulb, then the ballast will run the bulb at 30 watts. Correct? __________________ Kevin "You cannot achieve what you are not willing to pursue." Current Tank Info: 20g Mixed Reef

04/26/2007, 11:35 AM	#2
aninjaatemyshoe Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,333	Sanjay was referring to Metal Halide electronic ballasts, not fluorescent ballasts. Completely different thing. The versatility of the Metal Halide electronic ballasts does not extend to fluorescent electronic ballasts. If you were to hook up your CF ballast to the VHO ballast, it may run it and it may not. I can almost guarrantee that it won't run it at 30W though. Chances are that if it does run the bulb it will give lousy output and significantly reduce the life of the bulb. __________________ You are not brought upon this world to "get it"

04/26/2007, 11:43 AM	#3
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	actually...you would over-drive the bulb...you'd get 65w thru a 30w bulb....bulb would last maybe for a minute...or a month...