Metal Halide Question

[CG]

Thanks gresham, I'm thinking I can combine my power compact with the 400 watt 6500K, that shold be enough for clams right? Does the bulb in that kit look worthwhile? Most of the bulbs I see aren't so round like that but i'm not sure what the diff is? Thanks

That ballast will cost more to run every month, If you use an eballast you can use all bulbs for replacement and cheaper to run and not as much heat.

[CG]

All bulbs including different wattage?

[CG]

oh and how much more do they normally cost? Thanks

[Gresham]

hmm, my last post never made it to here!!

The kit looks fine, fairly good price as well. The bulb probably is on the cheaper side, but a great start! The kit is lacking a powercord(pigtail), wiring and a switch. All that can be had from Osh or Home Depot. Easy to rig, no worries there.

[Gresham]

email them and ask what brand the bulb is.

[quote author=CG link=board=lighting;num=1075863224;start=0#12 date=02/05/04 at 17:04:25]All bulbs including different wattage?[/quote]
No you must run the same wattage of bulb that ballast is set for.
eballast cost more but save you more in the long run plus you can run all different bulb types.
The E-Ballast works with all bulbs, including HQI, providing unmatched reliability with NO flicker and NO hum. The E-Ballast produces little heat while using 20-25% less energy than a core and coil ballast.

[Gresham]

Just don't get them wet!! The only negative point to the E-Ballast, other then that, what a unit!! I have a discontinued Solar 1000, a 175w MH dimmable electronic ballast, and love the damn thing to death. To bad bulbs for it are getting quite rare. Thanks Coralife for discontinuing them.

Getting any ballast wet is not a good thing...DOH

This ballast comes with a 3 year warranty...most others are only 18 months.
http://www.hellolights.com/25methalbalk.html

Electronic ARO Ballast Specifications
* Item Code: 61-61003
* Will fire all 250W metal halide bulbs, regardless if they are "probe start", "pulse start", HQI or Standard mogul in design. No worries with this ballast! (however, this retrofit kit is for mogul based bulbs)
* Energy Saving - up to 25% over magnetic ballasts.
* Extended Lamp Life - up to 25%
* Consistent Lamp Color.
* Uniform Lumen Output.
* Reduced Lamp Flicker.
* Cool, Silent Operation.
* Long Ballast Life.
* 3 year warranty
* Dimensions: 8 1/2" x 3 3/4" x 2 1/8" (LxWxH)

[Gresham]

With a magnetic ballast, it can recover from getting wet (usually), but the electonic ballast will get fried. Your TOTALLY right though, getting any ballast wet, surely isn't a good thing. Fire and tripped circuits come to mind as does spending another couple bills to get a new ballast.