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I'm sorry but what you are saying is nonsense.This post sounds like nonsense. @jda can speak more on this, but different ballasts definitely fire different bulbs in different ways. That was the name of the game back in the day: select the bulb/ballast combo that best suits the spectrum you desire. Selecting super lumens will over drive the bulb and will result in greater intensity and likely a different spectrum from the bulb. I’m over driving my Radium bulbs with old PFO ballasts and I get much more par and different spectrum.
Yes, and the limit to operating current is determined by the bulb specifications. The bulb has a safe working current determined by the manufacturer not by the ballast.Actually the purpose of a halide ballast is to provide the starting / ignition voltage, then limit the warm up / run up current and then regulate the lamp operating current. Various types are available and each has a different set of specifications.
When one has nothing but a shovel they keep digging.I'm sorry but what you are saying is nonsense.
A ballast and starter just generate high voltage to fire the tube and get it conducting. Once it is conducting the ballast does nothing.
I know you probably hate to hear it, but you've been sold a lot of nonsense.
There is nothing magical about a ballast, it just ignites the tube.
So I am using the old PFO ballast to fire my new 400 watt radium’s. So far no issues after 6 months. Is it just matter of when this will happen? What is the possible outcome if this were to happen? I’m using a reflector with a glass shield/ splash guard.Hamilton 400W bulbs work fine on electronic 400W (set to 400W) or standard ANSI M59 magnetic ballasts.
The Radium 400W works fine on electronic 400W set to 400W. Some ballasts like the Luxcore and IceCap only slightly overdrive on the HQI/SL setting. The Radium 400W will work but a shortened life is to be expected. When using a magnetic ballast the Radium 400W should only be used an ANSI M135/M155 ballast. Meets the starting/ignition voltage but slightly under drives the lamp a few percent because the lamp operating current is not fully met. The newer version Radium 400W doesn’t handle overdriving as well. The leader wire to the arc tube can melt if provided with too much current during the warm up and operating phase. The old PFO HQI 400/430 Watt ballasts are not recommended.
Which PFO ballast? Wattage, standard, pulse start or HQI?
Well done. I *design* MH fixtures and ballasts.I worked closely with the halide lamp manufacturers for many years. My company was one of the first to do lamp and ballast compatibility testing for European manufacturers.
The operating current is set/limited by the ballast. A halide will take as much current as you can feed it until a seal or arc tube ruptures.
See post #31.Thanks for the reply !
What about operating Radium 20k in super lumen mode , with this ballast ?
is there any difference between new radium bulbs to the old one ?
The optimal performance of each metal halide light bulb will depend on specification from manufacturer to fire, last the hours pointed by the manufacturer, maintain spectrum, and safety driving the bulb. When changing ballasts, we not only see changes in spectrum, but also in the performance of the stability of the bulbs. The recommendation of ballasts is one of the most important aspects to achieve the optimal performance and for the life of each halide lamp. I think this is the info we need to focus on when talking about halides.Any ballast will kick start a MH tube.
They just need an HV kick to get started.
If you're going down the old fashioned road with MH, everything else is just icing, a bit like folks selling vinyl discs as they 'sound better''
I'd buy a $20 ballast from the local electrical wholesaler.
I can see that I am wasting my time trying to educate you folks who have spent billions of bucks on fancy ballasts.The optimal performance of each metal halide light bulb will depend on specification from manufacturer to fire, last the hours pointed by the manufacturer, maintain spectrum, and safety driving the bulb. When changing ballasts, we not only see changes in spectrum, but also in the performance of the stability of the bulbs. The recommendation of ballasts is one of the most important aspects to achieve the optimal performance and for the life of each halide lamp. I think this is the info we need to focus on when talking about halides.
Any electronic ballast can be used with most bulbs, but will those ballasts be the optimal to drive ANY bulb? Not really! For example: there is a big difference in driving a 250W Radium with the M80 ballast in comparison to any other type of ballast, simply because the "250W" Radium was DESIGNED to be used at the wattage produced by the M80 for it's OPTIMAL performance in the long run. Today's Chinese ballasts are a bit of a joke to many serious German manufacturers. Yet, we still use them as "specific" for aquariums. I think you could apply your terms that way, so people would better understand your point. We still should respect the ANSI when obtaining $20.00 magnetic ballasts on Ebay.
I can see that I am wasting my time trying to educate you folks who have spent billions of bucks on fancy ballasts.
Randy set up the chemistry forum because of the amount of chemical nonsense out there, and I understand his frustration all too well listening to this nonsense.
Do whatever makes you happy and justifies your big buck purchase, but at the end of the day a $20 ebay ballast will do the same job.
I'm not posting anymore as it just irritates me.
Whatever floats your boat.