[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Exactly what is the difference between a pulse-start, and a, a, um, a not pulse-start ballast anyways?

I've been using M57's on my 10000K (Hamilton, which I think are just Ushios resold) for years and to be honest I've never thought "gee this just looks inefficient." What is gained by switching to a pulse start ballast?

What is an "F-can" ballast? Is that an electronic ballast by any chance? Are F-can's any better than traditional cap-n-coil ballasts?

While I'm at it, what is the average wing velocity of a sparrow?

:? :?:

the differences between puls start and normals are a few things.. a puls start is designed to be used with a started, also the current and voltagaes can vary between different ballast designs.. so in the end you get the same watage but how it is applied is different. Pluse starts are easyer on the bulb as they use a lower amprage on the bulb when starting and people are finding they are getting longer life out of there bulbs by using them. also another thing you want to look at is CCC (curent crest factor) a normal old M57 ballast has one of about 1.8, some of the better ballast can be as low as 1.4, this is a big increas in bulb life by getting a ballast with a lower CCF. take the HQI ballasts I am getting.. they have a CCF of 1.5, whare a standered cwa 250 watt MH ballast is 1.7 or 1.8.
this alone will be easyer on the bulb and result in longer bulb life.
Now get rid of a Open current start by using a pulse start and you should be even better off.

As for F-cans, they are just a "pre cassed" ballast.. they look like a standard floressent ballast.. the problem with them is if you are getting a pulse start type, the ignitor and capacitor is also encased.. so unlike a normal ballast whare you can replace a 5 to 10.00 starter or capacitor.. with a f-can you have to replace the whole ballast.. (My 175 watt is a f-can ballast)

Steve