Pulse Start vs Probe Start MH bulb?

djc1026 · 10/04/2006, 05:51 AM

I'm looking at replacing my bulbs and was looking at the Aqualine Buschke's, however one site said they were for pulse start ballasts only. Anyone ever heard of this? I'm pretty sure I have M57 ballasts, as it is an older hamilton fixture, but I don't know for sure without opening the box up. Currently I'm running two Venture bulbs.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Dave

Aquactinics · 10/05/2006, 04:29 AM

Dave,

The AB 175W SE bulbs are pulse start (ANSI Code: M137/M152). Basically the only 175W lamps you shouldn't run on a M57 ballast are the AB and Ushio lamps. All other 175W MH lamps should work just fine.

Thank you,

Tom
Aquactinics

djc1026 · 10/05/2006, 06:45 PM

Thanks for the reply. The reason I ask is because Sanjay's analysis in this link shows the AB 175's compared on 4 ballasts included the M57.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/review/view

Dave

Aquactinics · 10/05/2006, 08:03 PM

Dave,

This can be misleading. Pulse start bulbs such as the AB and Ushio 175W lamps are not meant to run on probe start ballasts nor should. While they might light up, it is hit or miss and can possibly damage the lamp.

Thank you,

Tom
Aquactinics

hahnmeister · 10/05/2006, 08:23 PM

Underpowering the bulb can lead to premature dimming of the bulb just as much as overpowering it. Always pick the ballast that was designed to run with the bulb. If its a pulse start/HQI, use a pulse start/HQI ballast.... if its probe start, use a probe start ballast. Simple as that.

djc1026 · 10/05/2006, 10:16 PM

What thoughts do people have on these bulbs, all 175W run on M57 magnetic ballasts:

XM 10K
Hamilton 10K
Reeflux 10K
Reeflux 12K

Dave

The Grim Reefer · 10/05/2006, 10:33 PM

Check out the Iwasaki 15K lamp. They are a true 15K which means they are nearly white with just a slight bit of blue and have great PAR output, about 15% better than a XM 10K and the same as the Hamilton.

You can punch in your ballast and lamp combinations here http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/select2lamp.php

PPFD = light intensity or PAR
CCT = Lamp color. The higher the reading the more blue the lamp will look. 10,000 is nearly white. Some people see yellow in it and some don't. The more blue "14K" halide lamps are off the scale which is over 20000K. A 14K Phoenix lamp is off the scale just to give you an idea.

10/04/2006, 05:51 AM	#1
djc1026 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lawton Posts: 1,061	Pulse Start vs Probe Start MH bulb? I'm looking at replacing my bulbs and was looking at the Aqualine Buschke's, however one site said they were for pulse start ballasts only. Anyone ever heard of this? I'm pretty sure I have M57 ballasts, as it is an older hamilton fixture, but I don't know for sure without opening the box up. Currently I'm running two Venture bulbs. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Dave

10/05/2006, 06:45 PM	#3
djc1026 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lawton Posts: 1,061	Thanks for the reply. The reason I ask is because Sanjay's analysis in this link shows the AB 175's compared on 4 ballasts included the M57. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/review/view Dave __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 150 gallon FOWLR -- 29 Gal Misc

10/05/2006, 10:16 PM	#6
djc1026 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lawton Posts: 1,061	What thoughts do people have on these bulbs, all 175W run on M57 magnetic ballasts: XM 10K Hamilton 10K Reeflux 10K Reeflux 12K Dave __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 150 gallon FOWLR -- 29 Gal Misc

10/05/2006, 10:33 PM	#7
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Check out the Iwasaki 15K lamp. They are a true 15K which means they are nearly white with just a slight bit of blue and have great PAR output, about 15% better than a XM 10K and the same as the Hamilton. You can punch in your ballast and lamp combinations here http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/select2lamp.php PPFD = light intensity or PAR CCT = Lamp color. The higher the reading the more blue the lamp will look. 10,000 is nearly white. Some people see yellow in it and some don't. The more blue "14K" halide lamps are off the scale which is over 20000K. A 14K Phoenix lamp is off the scale just to give you an idea. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

10/05/2006, 04:29 AM	#2
Aquactinics Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: North Haven, CT Posts: 656	Dave, The AB 175W SE bulbs are pulse start (ANSI Code: M137/M152). Basically the only 175W lamps you shouldn't run on a M57 ballast are the AB and Ushio lamps. All other 175W MH lamps should work just fine. Thank you, Tom Aquactinics

10/05/2006, 08:03 PM	#4
Aquactinics Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: North Haven, CT Posts: 656	Dave, This can be misleading. Pulse start bulbs such as the AB and Ushio 175W lamps are not meant to run on probe start ballasts nor should. While they might light up, it is hit or miss and can possibly damage the lamp. Thank you, Tom Aquactinics

10/05/2006, 08:23 PM	#5
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Underpowering the bulb can lead to premature dimming of the bulb just as much as overpowering it. Always pick the ballast that was designed to run with the bulb. If its a pulse start/HQI, use a pulse start/HQI ballast.... if its probe start, use a probe start ballast. Simple as that.