electronic ballast vs. tar ballast

[R1Bill]

Remember to look at the in-rush current numbers when do your checking. In-rush is a lot more than steady state and that is usually when your breakers trip. It'll help to stagger start times. Also, MH ballasts are generally open coils. Tar ballasts are cans usually used for flourescents not MH. The ice cap ballasts will use more current and make your lights brighter. Most other e-ballasts do the opposite. Use less power and try to make the bulbs last longer at the cost of a little brightness. Also, the ice cap ballasts are rumored (at least used to be) to be finiky and have to be set up differently for different bulbs. You pick.

Good Luck,

Bill

BTW, I need your frags!

[Reedman]

Thanks Bill. That make a lot of sense on the ice cap burning brighter. FWIW, it makes my 10K bulb look great.

[reefcam]

I've heard that about Ice-cap ballast. I read somewhere you need to retune the ballast for different brand bulbs and I think kelvin as well. I was a bit baffled when I read that.

What is in-rush... showing my ignorance?

C'mon up for some frags...

The reason why I ask on the bulbs is because I'm thinking of changing my 440W VHO for 2 320W VHO and swapping the 150W that does nothing but light up the back of the tank for a 400W. Guess I'll be busy tonight with my AMP meter.

I do have my lights staggered to come on, to reduce spikes.

[R1Bill]

in-rush is what happens when you first turn on something. it is a spike in the current that often trips breakers.

bill

[reefcam]

Oh I do pay attention to the "in-rush" value. That's very important and the reason why I stagger my lights on timer.

I did some measurements and also sanity check on in my wallet and have determined that adding a 400W MH is a cheaper route. I'll also have to replace my Dolphin 3600 with the AMP Master series.