Ballast Type

sov82

sov82

Member
Hi,
I bought my 2X175 watt MH setup used. Im not sure what type of ballast I have. My ballast is pretty large. My bulbs look like the standard XM, Ushio, Hamilton's. When I bought my setup I was told the lights were "blueline's".
Any help? Any other information that would help you identify what I have?
Thanks in advance.
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member
You need the numbers off the ballast... it should have a M## or something on the ballast itself.
 
swatskee

swatskee

Member
i would say 99.9% sure they're probe start. No one makes a pulse start 10000k or above ballast as of yet. you can get a HID ballast for 175w for 36.00 and 45 for the 250w. the sockets are about 10.00 at my LFS
the socket is mogul M57 for 175w and M58 for a 250w. that's if it is a single ended setup.
Swat
 
sov82

sov82

Member
It is a single ended setup. There are no markings on the ballast. Any recommendations on 175 watt bulbs? Price really isn't an issue...that being said, I'd like the best bang for the buck...(eg. If a bulb is 20% more than another bulb, but only 1% better, I'd rather get the cheaper bulb...but if "you get what you pay for, applies, then I'd rather spend the extra money)
I have 4X65 Actnic Supplements.
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member
No one makes a pulse start 10000k or above ballast as of yet.
What??
Any recommendations on 175 watt bulbs?
I like the XM bulbs...
 
T

thomas712

Guest

Originally Posted by ReefNut
No one makes a pulse start 10000k or above ballast as of yet.
What??
Any recommendations on 175 watt bulbs?
I like the XM bulbs...

Did I miss something on that first statement? :thinking:
Yeah I like the XM bulbs as well
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Yep ReefNut is correct on the pulse start bulbs... If you check out Hellolights they give an idea as to what brand bulbs need what type of ballast to run.... More than likely it's a probe start ballast and XM bulbs look very good.....The XMs' will run on a probe start ballast as well
 
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