MH balast

[reefer1]

Currently I have a magnetic 175w MH balast that runs 3 bulbs, I have heard that magnetic ballast reduce the life of a bulb and can change a 10000k to a 6500k in a few months? I have started looking into elertric balast but have not been able to find one that will run 3 bulbs. Is ther such a thing, does anyone know of one, also does anyone know if it is true that magnetic ballast are bad on bulbs.

 

[robchuck]

Blueline is the only manufacturer I am aware of that makes an electronic ballast that runs more than one bulb. The Blue Line eballast line only comes in single or dual ballasts, and the dual ballast is only available at 175W.
If you want to use electronic ballasts and have a single enclosure, I would suggest buying three electronic ballasts (such as Ice Cap, Coralvue, ARO, etc.; with any luck, these ballasts can be found for under $100 a piece at the 175W rating). You can then build a custom enclosure for the ballasts.

 

[bigmac]

Originally posted by reefer1
I have heard that magnetic ballast reduce the life of a bulb and can change a 10000k to a 6500k in a few months?
Most of the E ballast claim the extend the life of MH bulbs. This might be true but I feel they way they do it to under drive the bulb. So your probably not going to see the same light output from the E ballast that you will from the tar ballast.
IMO, its a waste of money to change ballast's