magnetic vs electronic ballast?
- Thread starter hkgar
- Start date
shawnts106
Member
the electric ballasts are cooler and use up to like 30% less electricity, so you save some serious $$$
with the Magnetics they use alot more electricity and are VERY VERY HOT!
with the Magnetics they use alot more electricity and are VERY VERY HOT!
K
kpatrick
Guest
I run an electric Icecap on my HQI and love it!
shawnts106
Member
about 25% to 30% less electricity... why do you ask? I stated plainly!
shawnts106
Member
Manufacturer, um... I think that Champion Light Suply has them on their website, but I forget... I know it was in a Mag from work and on some sites, makes since, I have touched a E-Ballast while it was running, they are not hot, it was about the same as touching a regular floresent 40W bulb, maybe... fairly warm, but very handable!
they do NOT have a built in fan, they just use less electricity, somehow, dont ask me I am not an electricly inclind person by any means LOL!!!!! but they are cooler too, obveously!
they do NOT have a built in fan, they just use less electricity, somehow, dont ask me I am not an electricly inclind person by any means LOL!!!!! but they are cooler too, obveously!
golfish
Active Member
Originally Posted by shawnts106
they do NOT have a built in fan,
Built in fans? What ballast has a built in fan?
E ballast are a little cheaper to run but they also cost more. They use less juice and in most cases don't fire the bulbs as bright as a Mag ballast. Most if not all are Asian imported so the cost has come down some. I tested a E ballast a few year ago for Bob at ReefFanatic, it ran a LOT hotter then my mag ballast.
The E ballast are a hec of a lot better now then they were 4+ years ago...Back then people had TONS of problems with em. I use a ARO E ballast to drive my VHO's and love it..I would not use em for my main lighting because I feel they don't drive the bulbs up to Par....
they do NOT have a built in fan,
Built in fans?
What ballast has a built in fan?E ballast are a little cheaper to run but they also cost more. They use less juice and in most cases don't fire the bulbs as bright as a Mag ballast. Most if not all are Asian imported so the cost has come down some. I tested a E ballast a few year ago for Bob at ReefFanatic, it ran a LOT hotter then my mag ballast.
The E ballast are a hec of a lot better now then they were 4+ years ago...Back then people had TONS of problems with em. I use a ARO E ballast to drive my VHO's and love it..I would not use em for my main lighting because I feel they don't drive the bulbs up to Par....
tony detroit
Active Member
Coralvue puts 2 fans in their E-ballasts.
They also break regularly.
Bang- I'm with you on the power savings.
For me, I run E ballasts. If I had to do it over, I'd probably go back to magnetics. They last practically forever. In most cases, they drive the bulbs better than an E ballast will and will give you a slightly higher PAR value on the same bulb than a E ballast will.
I run coralvue and Icecap ballasts. They're ok. They're cool running. Never saw a difference in the electric bill though.
You can also DIY M kits very very cheap if you feel like doing a bit of wiring, you can set up a 250/400Watt setup ridiculously cheap with magnetics pieced together.
They also break regularly.
Bang- I'm with you on the power savings.
For me, I run E ballasts. If I had to do it over, I'd probably go back to magnetics. They last practically forever. In most cases, they drive the bulbs better than an E ballast will and will give you a slightly higher PAR value on the same bulb than a E ballast will.
I run coralvue and Icecap ballasts. They're ok. They're cool running. Never saw a difference in the electric bill though.
You can also DIY M kits very very cheap if you feel like doing a bit of wiring, you can set up a 250/400Watt setup ridiculously cheap with magnetics pieced together.
shawnts106
Member
The EBallast that I have heard of is a Blueline E-Ballast, they are the ones that cost a bit more, but save some $$$ in the long run, I dont know if they are for MH or not, I know you can use them for MH, and also VHOS!
depending on what type of Eballast you purchase of course... This is what is in the Magazines and the Sites, thats all Im going by, not personal experience, And yes EBallast have came a long way since 4+ years, they are alot better now, esspecially the BlueLine EBallasts!
depending on what type of Eballast you purchase of course... This is what is in the Magazines and the Sites, thats all Im going by, not personal experience, And yes EBallast have came a long way since 4+ years, they are alot better now, esspecially the BlueLine EBallasts!
sammiefish
Member
i also read somewhere that they are easier on the bulbs leading to longer bulb life.... can anyone confirm or deny?
golfish
Active Member
Originally Posted by wax32
I'm looking into the electronic MH ballast made by Icecap myself so I hope Bang comes back with some useful info!
Now that the IC ballast are imported from Asia you should have no problems with em...I wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot pole, but that's just me. :yes:
I'm looking into the electronic MH ballast made by Icecap myself so I hope Bang comes back with some useful info!
Now that the IC ballast are imported from Asia you should have no problems with em...I wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot pole, but that's just me. :yes:
shawnts106
Member
They are heavy & hot but very reliable.
heavy and hot VS. lightwieght, cool, and low power consumption
hum... need I say more?
I would pick an EBallast over a MBallast anyday!!!
Hey, the Blueline are the best IMO, they burn very well, are very cool and are very reliable!
heavy and hot VS. lightwieght, cool, and low power consumption
hum... need I say more?
I would pick an EBallast over a MBallast anyday!!!
Hey, the Blueline are the best IMO, they burn very well, are very cool and are very reliable!
bang guy
Moderator
The only real analysis I could find in comparison used the 400 watt version. Here's a sample with the 10,000K HQI bulb I use:
Blueline - $170
PPFD - 122
Efficiency - 0.316
PFO HQI - $140
PPFD - 208.5
Efficiency - 0.402
Results:
Blueline is more than 20% LESS efficient and puts out over 40% LESS light than the magnetic HQI ballast for the Hamilton 10,000K bulb.
For some of the bulbs tested the Blueline was slightly more efficient, but for most of the bulbs the Blueline put out a LOT less light and was significantly less efficient.
This comparison was done by Sanjay Joshi.
Blueline - $170
PPFD - 122
Efficiency - 0.316
PFO HQI - $140
PPFD - 208.5
Efficiency - 0.402
Results:
Blueline is more than 20% LESS efficient and puts out over 40% LESS light than the magnetic HQI ballast for the Hamilton 10,000K bulb.
For some of the bulbs tested the Blueline was slightly more efficient, but for most of the bulbs the Blueline put out a LOT less light and was significantly less efficient.
This comparison was done by Sanjay Joshi.