Thread: MH lighting
View Single Post
  #8  
Old 12-30-2001, 11:48 PM
reefburnaby reefburnaby is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Burnaby, B.C.
Posts: 766
reefburnaby is on a distinguished road
Default MH lighting

Hi,

Even though a ballast may be able to drive a 400W MH (ANSI code M59) and power driven to the lamps may be very similar, but the AC power consumed by each ballast may be drastically different. Hydroponic ballasts tend to use the cheaper version -- which tend to draw more power. In some situation, the cheap one may draw 20% to 40% more power. The extra power doesn't usually go to the lamps, but it does result in extra heat dissipated by the ballast.

Depending on your budget and needs, you may want to look at other alternatives like Iwasaki MV and HQI.

- Victor.
Reply With Quote