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09-17-2006, 12:11 PM
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#1
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tampa
Posts: 293
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magnetic vs. electronic ballast
what are the differences between an electronic and magnetic ballast. Is one better than the other or is it just preference. I see that the electronic ballasts are more pricey, but why?
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29G with 10G sump
45lbs LR
begin date 3/28/06
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09-17-2006, 12:30 PM
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#2
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Why I get nothing done...
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Beaverton
Posts: 2,929
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You can do some searching on the internet for comparisons on the Icecap electronic ballasts. I think the big advantages are the size of the ballast, a lot less heat off the ballast and somewhat more efficient (debatable). They may run more bulbs and run them brighter, also debatable. I've read some comparisons but I don't remember where. Do a quick search and you can find some.
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09-17-2006, 12:32 PM
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#3
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tampa
Posts: 293
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Does anyone have good link, every time I google this, I just get companies wanting to sell me a ballast.
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29G with 10G sump
45lbs LR
begin date 3/28/06
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09-17-2006, 03:53 PM
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#4
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I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 23,164
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Like Tashier said and is more efficent(cheeper to run).
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09-17-2006, 07:28 PM
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#5
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Shark
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Toledo OH
Posts: 4,888
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Tashier pretty much hit it right....
Less heat, less energy consumption (minimal), fire both mogul and HQI usually, better life of bulb (supposedly),
The Ice Caps (electronics ballast seem to be a great priced electronic balast.
I had magnetic...did a bunch of reading and bulb test (not sure where they are any more) and decided on Ice Cap
The test measured the PAR of various MFG's bulbs on various MFG's balast. Temperatures of the balast and bulbs and what not as well!
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Nano reef in the works
TIM MADE ME DO IT, Yet Robert made him do it, yet Casey made him do it!
Yet the voices in all their heads made them do it (skeety)
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09-17-2006, 09:12 PM
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#6
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NFMAS
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,364
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Coralvue makes a great electronic ballast. However after looking at the amps on a 250w electronic ballast I question how much cheaper it really is. If I remember correctly ( its been a few months) the coralvue was 2 amps for a 250 w and my 250 w PFO's are 2.5 amps. How much do you save by cutting .5 amps? (i don't know). Also I have been told you get longer life out of your bulbs but no one can tell me how much longer. The pros that I see with electronic ballasts are less heat and smaller footprints. Good luck
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09-17-2006, 09:14 PM
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#7
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Why I get nothing done...
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Beaverton
Posts: 2,929
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I believe the energy savings take years to pay off so that's not a real big reason to buy them.
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09-18-2006, 09:15 AM
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#8
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Shark
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Toledo OH
Posts: 4,888
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tashier
I believe the energy savings take years to pay off so that's not a real big reason to buy them.
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Yeah...there was a electrical guru here (???) who did the math and it was like 2-3 years to save the extra money.
Search on this topic as it has been asked many times and you may find the math in a thread as I know it was on this site!
__________________
Nano reef in the works
TIM MADE ME DO IT, Yet Robert made him do it, yet Casey made him do it!
Yet the voices in all their heads made them do it (skeety)
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09-18-2006, 11:01 AM
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#9
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Cabana Boy
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Miami, Fl
Posts: 2,070
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isnt amps = watts/volts so it would take 55 watts less consumption (55/110volts = .5 amp). 55 watts x 12hrs(depending on how long u run your lights) x 365 = 240.9 kilowatts so multiply what the average charge is per kilowatt here in miami i thinks its .08 per kilowatt so its about $20 a year that u save ...... of course assuming my carried over the one correctly  |
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09-18-2006, 12:13 PM
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#10
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NFMAS
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,364
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not a fan of math
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09-18-2006, 12:16 PM
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#11
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Plankton
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: portland, OR
Posts: 28
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Am I the only one who has had bad experiences with electronic ballasts? I bought three - and in the first year and a half of use, had FOUR failures (every ballast needed to be replaced once, and one replacement failed also). It was a huge pain that turned me off from electronic halide ballasts altogether.
Are any of them really reliable?
jayo
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09-18-2006, 12:42 PM
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#12
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Cabana Boy
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Miami, Fl
Posts: 2,070
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what kind did u have?
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09-18-2006, 03:44 PM
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#13
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 372
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jayo
Am I the only one who has had bad experiences with electronic ballasts? I bought three - and in the first year and a half of use, had FOUR failures (every ballast needed to be replaced once, and one replacement failed also). It was a huge pain that turned me off from electronic halide ballasts altogether.
Are any of them really reliable?
jayo
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Is it possible that maybe you live in a really old house with wiring that aren't the most reliable? Just curious. Some HDTV's have similar problem when hooked up to electricity that isn't stable.
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09-18-2006, 05:14 PM
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#14
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Shark
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Toledo OH
Posts: 4,888
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jayo
Am I the only one who has had bad experiences with electronic ballasts? I bought three - and in the first year and a half of use, had FOUR failures (every ballast needed to be replaced once, and one replacement failed also). It was a huge pain that turned me off from electronic halide ballasts altogether.
Are any of them really reliable?
jayo
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I've had my Ice Caps for about a year and no issues!
__________________
Nano reef in the works
TIM MADE ME DO IT, Yet Robert made him do it, yet Casey made him do it!
Yet the voices in all their heads made them do it (skeety)
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