NEW e-ballast for 175 MH from Advance

[option720]

here is the link. it is in PDF, Do you think this could be a good DIY ballast that will save on energy and extend bulb life?
www.advancetransformer.com/literature/pdf/EH-5000-R01.pdf

 

[option720]

does anyone have any opinions on this?

 

[fender]

Looks pretty good, but any idea how much it costs?

 

[option720]

i called today found out that it will not be ready until the end of the year.

 

[sonny]

e-ballasts are good, but usually much more expensive than magnetic ballasts. They use a little less electricity, and don't produce as much heat. I'm glad to see another company come out with an e-ballast. Right now, only two manufacturers make e-ballasts, Icecap, which makes 175 watt and 250 watt, and blueline, which also makes the only 400 watt e-ballast. The blueline 400 watt e-ballast costs about $160, and the magnetic ballast from a local electrical supply store costs $66. It would take a while for it to pay for itself! Hopefully the Advance e-ballast will be cheaper, and maybe they'll make a 400 watt version to compete with blueline.
Sonny

 

[mr . salty]

After reading the link,It looks as if they have NO plans to make anything larger than a 175watt e ballast.Remember that Advance is not an aquarium lighting supply manufacturer.So competing with blueline is not a concern for them.I am looking forward to the 175"s,as that is what I am curently using...