how do you find a good ballast?

Gilraen Took · 03-18-2008, 03:04 PM

There's an electronic ballast going for around $40 at the moment on ebay, apparently new and dual 175 watts.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...Category=46314

It doesn't have a brand on it, but is there any way to tell if it is good, or if it would catch the apartment on fire?

Fly Guy · 03-18-2008, 03:08 PM

$40 new for a dual??? eh. You could buy it and I suppose you arent going to be out much money and besides.........whats the worst thing that could happen?? Its not like it could start a fire or anythng??

Buy Icecap or one of the other major brands from hellolights or reefgeek etc to begin with would be my suggestion.

chrischris · 03-18-2008, 03:14 PM

ya is saveing 100 bucks worth risking a house fire?
go with ice cap or coralvue

TahoeMtn · 03-18-2008, 03:27 PM

I understand how we should be supporting our sponsors and I do! BUT why is it that when someone asks about a less expensive item, we always get "Do you want to burn your house down?" How many people have actually had a fire or anything close. Was it to blame on a cheap item or was it the failure of a known "good" item. There are generic items in every market whether it is store-brand soup that is really Campbell's or a generic brand of your heart medicine. Many of us do not have unlimited budgets and fearmongering doesn't help.
So how many fires and what was the cause?

Fly Guy · 03-18-2008, 03:42 PM

LOL Tahoe. Good point. personally I was just being overly dramatic and have never onceheard of a ballast burning a house down.

(I did hear of one going rogue and stabbing someone to death once though)

Just the same, you get what you pay is generally true for everything and a $40 dual ballast doesnt sound like a good idea to me. You cant even jump on sanjays website and see hpw it performs in the top however many peices of equipment he tests.

I woulsd recommend finding a used icecap for $80 first. At least you know something goes wrong you can xend it to icecap and they will promptly repair it for a reasonable fee.

jmo

ps- I didnt think about the fact those are TRT sponsors. They are good vendors that I have used them in the past

TahoeMtn · 03-18-2008, 03:47 PM

I have read some of the results of Sanjays work. Has he tested the generics? Do you have a link to his site?

Gilraen Took · 03-19-2008, 01:27 PM

pfo is good, right? I'm second in line IF someone falls through on another forum for one of theirs. If I could get it, it'd be a 13x11xsomething reflector. I'm assuming that'd be more than enough for a 24x24" tank, right?

Rob_Reef_Keeper · 03-19-2008, 01:29 PM

I had no problems with my PFO MH ballast.

Loverotties · 03-19-2008, 02:55 PM

You get what you paid for!If you buy a cheap balast(not ul )then you take chances.I like sleeping well paying a little more.

DarthOcellaris · 03-19-2008, 03:17 PM

I persoanlly wouldnt buy it...like Rotties said, you get what you pay for......

At the very least, I'd check that seller's feedback and ask tons of questions.

motorslave · 03-19-2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TahoeMtn

I understand how we should be supporting our sponsors and I do! BUT why is it that when someone asks about a less expensive item, we always get "Do you want to burn your house down?" How many people have actually had a fire or anything close. Was it to blame on a cheap item or was it the failure of a known "good" item. There are generic items in every market whether it is store-brand soup that is really Campbell's or a generic brand of your heart medicine. Many of us do not have unlimited budgets and fearmongering doesn't help.
So how many fires and what was the cause?

Great points BUT, generic food while more cost effective, still has to meet federal guidlines. The same goes for meds etc. Electronics build over seas can have a UL Listed mark stamped on them and never actually be approved. That is a risk at any price. Lets not forget service after the sale. This is a huge issue from what Ive seen when it comes to generic products. Buying a discount is fine, but I prefer to do sop from a reputable vendor. My MH st up was a package deal that was an exceptional price, no big names on the stuff. BUT, the vendor is well known for service.

Twitterbait · 03-19-2008, 03:46 PM

I would recommend PFO over this deal... I have been in their shop and seen what goes into the PFO ballasts and can say they do great work.

Gilraen Took · 03-19-2008, 04:28 PM

Mmk, I'll cross my fingers that the first in line person backs out, so I can get the pfo. I decided to just ask here before getting it instead of risking it