Iwaski bulb will run on a Mercury Vapor Ballast

Jimbo · 02-28-2002, 06:42 PM

Hi all,

I was doing some research on lighting and found out the Iwaski's 6500k will run on a mercury vapor ballast. (HD)

Check out his site

http://www.rpi.edu/dept/union/aquari...ml/DIY_MH.html

Also phillips makes a 6800k mercury vapor, I ordered one and will have it tomorrow and let you know how it looks.

Have a good day!

sculpin · 02-28-2002, 08:21 PM

Iwasaki's are mercury vapor bulbs, thus there ability to run on mercury vapor ballasts.

hamburglar · 02-28-2002, 08:22 PM

Has anyone else tried this???

Jimbo · 02-28-2002, 09:11 PM

I have heard they are MV bulbs and have also heard they are MH bulbs LOL.

Doug1 · 02-28-2002, 09:13 PM

Technically iit is a MV bulb that will work with MH ballast

Jimbo · 02-28-2002, 09:30 PM

MV bulbs will work with MH ballast as long as the wattage is correct. Here's what is supposed to be the case MV bulbs don't need the high starting voltage so they don't need the capacitor. I was looking at advance ballast website and the transformers look exactly the same. You CANNOT use MH bulbs with a MV ballast unless you add the capacitor. Recently got a quote for a capacitor and the price was $30 for a 250watt ballast. This is why MH ballast cost more.

Have a good evening!

Doug1 · 02-28-2002, 09:56 PM

Most reefers use the Iwasaki on MH ballast as they are easy to come by and if you dont like them you switch bulbs easily. If you get the MV ballast you have to get ballast and all if you switch to MH later

Jimbo · 02-28-2002, 10:14 PM

Good point doug! I have read that the starting capacitor may prematurely age the Iwasaki bulb, zapping it each time it starts up, with a higher than normal voltage. If you are using a MH ballast, you should be able to remove the starting capacitor out of the loop. I will test this when I get my 400watt ballast and find out.