pulse start metal halide ballast

are pulse start ballast bad? I found a PFO dual 175 watt pulse start ballast on closeout for 100 dollars. Is this a deal or an obsalete piece of junk? Also, i would add this to my 220 watts of vho on a 75 gallon. Is that enough or not?

 

Some lamps require a pulse start....

PFO went out of business thats why the ballast is being closed out

550w over a 75? Yeah that'll be enough. I have 640 over my 180...

 

thanks doc. i always read your post because i stay inbetween t5 and metal halide. just can't make the old mind up. stuck on that shimmer thing, but t5 has soo many benefits.

 

No problem. Asking questions and researching is the key to success!

 

Yes, that is a good deal, and pulse starts work on many bulbs. That should be a magnetic bballast, right?

Those are like the checker cab of ballasts. It will run forever, but are big, and heavy.

I have 2 magnetic ballasts running 2x250 of XM 10000k halides and t5s on the side myself.

IMHO, MH mixed with t5s gives the best of both worlds.

 

i'm pretty sure it's magnetic, but that's no big deal. my vho ballast is a hamilton magnetic. i've had it for years and it's still bumping strong.