what are my options for metal halide ballasts

[zheka757]

one out 4 icecap ballasts that i have is burned out, and they being discontinued now, i cant find them online anymore, im running radium bulbs on.
what can i replace it with, i don't want to buy reefbrite ones

 

[Troylee]

You can buy any Horiculture ballast they all work.. Amazon has some cheap ones that work well also.

 

[zheka757]

Just got one on Amazon l, will see how it works.

 

[Seamore2001]

Just got one on Amazon l, will see how it works.

Which one did you get, and how well is it working? My IceCap electronic MH ballast, selectable 25-400W has died and I need to replace it. Thanks!

 

[zheka757]

Which one did you get, and how well is it working? My IceCap electronic MH ballast, selectable 25-400W has died and I need to replace it. Thanks!

got this one, running radium bulb visually dont see a difference then the other 3 lights i got running radiums with icecap.

 

[zheka757]

It's not selectable wattage, just dimmable 400w.

 

[Seamore2001]

Thanks @zheka757 for that! OK, I bought a similar one from Amazon before you posted - I ended up paying a couple more bucks because I didn't see the one you got. Hoping mine works out too as my IceCap 250w/400w ballast gave up the ghost yesterday.

As I understand it, with dimmable 400w ballast I'll want to switch it to 75% for my 250w Radiums - is that what you're doing?

 

[zheka757]

Thanks @zheka757 for that! OK, I bought a similar one from Amazon before you posted - I ended up paying a couple more bucks because I didn't see the one you got. Hoping mine works out too as my IceCap 250w/400w ballast gave up the ghost yesterday.

As I understand it, with dimmable 400w ballast I'll want to switch it to 75% for my 250w Radiums - is that what you're doing?

No, because I use 400w radium bulbs, so I run them at 100% on this ballast, I honestly don't know if there is difference between selectable and dimmable.

 

[Seamore2001]

Thanks @zheka757

The ballast I bought, iPower 400W Ballast, Digital Dimmable Electronic Horticulture Ballast, appears to be able to have options for running lower watts:

Operating parameter: Support dual voltage input 120V/240V. Dimmable options: 50%, 75%, 100%. Watt option: 150w/250w/400w/Super lumens (110%)

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I'm really hoping this is accurate. I'll be keeping an eye on this one to make sure everything runs as it should. I just wish I could source another IceCap or Luxcore ballast, but I guess that ship has sailed (or sunk).

 

[Troylee]

Thanks @zheka757

The ballast I bought, iPower 400W Ballast, Digital Dimmable Electronic Horticulture Ballast, appears to be able to have options for running lower watts:

Operating parameter: Support dual voltage input 120V/240V. Dimmable options: 50%, 75%, 100%. Watt option: 150w/250w/400w/Super lumens (110%)

​

I'm really hoping this is accurate. I'll be keeping an eye on this one to make sure everything runs as it should. I just wish I could source another IceCap or Luxcore ballast, but I guess that ship has sailed (or sunk).

Reefbrite has ballast but you get that reef tax!

 

[Seamore2001]

Reefbrite has ballast but you get that reef tax!

There is that - actually I don't necessarily mind the price, cause I just kind of expect that in this hobby (I mean, I'd prefer not to pay that tax, but...). The problem is the Reefbrite ballasts use an IEC style connector which is not the same as what's on my Giesemann fixture. I could always cut off the connector and switch it with the one from my dead IceCap ballast, but I kinda wanted to avoid doing the wiring (and potentially voiding any warranty).

 

[Scott Campbell]

Thanks @zheka757

The ballast I bought, iPower 400W Ballast, Digital Dimmable Electronic Horticulture Ballast, appears to be able to have options for running lower watts:

Operating parameter: Support dual voltage input 120V/240V. Dimmable options: 50%, 75%, 100%. Watt option: 150w/250w/400w/Super lumens (110%)

​

I'm really hoping this is accurate. I'll be keeping an eye on this one to make sure everything runs as it should. I just wish I could source another IceCap or Luxcore ballast, but I guess that ship has sailed (or sunk).

Please post if this actually works for 250W bulbs. Thank you!!!

 

[Troylee]

Please post if this actually works for 250W bulbs. Thank you!!!

These work fine.

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www.htgsupply.com

 

[zheka757]

These work fine.

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www.htgsupply.com

I believe what he was saying is if term "dimmable" is same as "selectable wattage" like icecap had.

 

[Seamore2001]

These work fine.

Loading…

www.htgsupply.com

Thanks for posting those @Troylee - I may pick up a pair of those at that price, just so I have some handy - and in case more of these MH ballasts continue to be discontinued.

@Scott Campbell the iPower dimmable ballasts just arrived. Interestingly, they've replaced the percentage markings on the selector; it now indicates 150W, 250W, 400W and Super Lumens. I've set it to 250W and my Radium 250W mogul base bulb is shining brightly. My T. Maxima and Acros are probably giving a sigh of relief to not have to be relying only on T5s.

On my IceCap ballasts, which can be selected for 250W, 250W HQI, 400W and Super Lumen, Super Lumen would power the 250W bulbs (essentially overclocking them, but this was correct to do for this ballast and bulb combination). However, the instructions for the iPower ballast are very brief and say nothing about Super Lumen so I am hesitant to switch to Super Lumen on these until I know more.