input needed. VHO testing...

[DJ88]

Ok,

It is starting very soon. Before hand I want to ask for any ideas on what I should test for and post online about the VHO testing I will be doing. Here is what I was going to do so far.

Power(watts) consumed by ballast.
Power(watts) consumed by lamps.
Temp of lamps.
Temp of ballast.
Lumens of lamps.
Hours run.
Model of ballast.
Lamps will be URI aquasun 10,000K.

Each ballast will be tested for one month. Starting with the 660 I am buying tomorrow.

I am building a frame for my light meter so that I measure the lumens at the same distance each time.

Any input is appreciated.

Ballasts being tested are the following;

Icecap 430 & 660
Fulham workhorse
PFO VHO
Tar VHO
possibly a lampsnow VHO(not sure yet) expensive to order from the states to just test and then try to sell afterwards.

[ 19 February 2002: Message edited by: DJ88 ]</p>

[smokinreefer]

just a FYI, there is someone selling a 660 in the buy/sell forum

[DJ88]

Thanks Shao.. [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] Missed that post..

[JoJo]

Hi Darren, the Fulham Workhorse you are going to use, is it a Workhorse 7? If so, was it from Albrite? and how much is it? I emailed Albrite, they have the Workhorse 5 and 7, but won't tell me the price. Thanks!!

Danny [img]images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]

[DJ88]

Danny,

Last time I checked the 7 was around $70.

[titus]

Hello,

Oh my my Darren go Darren. Questions:
1) Are the measured parameters going to be logged 24/7 into a computer and then you calculate the mean, std dev, max and min values? I wonder any of us here on this BB have a copy of LabView and their interface card to do this.

2) Ideally, we should also monitor power line voltage to take into account of power flutuations. If we go nuts, we can also measure acoustical and RF noise generated by these guys.

3) Maybe we can get the retailers or manufacturers to sponsor by either lending you the ballast, or selling it at a discounted price. If you need to, tell them you are doing it for this board and that their names will be mentioned and banners posted in the article.

4) Can you please elaborate on the frame? Is it for mounting the lights at a fixed distance above the light meter?

[StirCrazy]

Darren, are you using the same bulbs for the tests on different ballasts? if so you should burn in the bulbs firstt theen you will still have to take into account that they bulbs intensity will have a slight change after 1 month of use so each test will have to have a diminishing factor built in to compensate for this..

Idealy there would be a new set of the same type of bulbs for each test and they would be "burnt in" for 1 month befor you started the test (which would make each test take 2 months). even doing this you would have to also have some way to quality test the bulbs, maby a base line balast that you would pop the bulbs into after the burn in to make sure the output is with in a acceptable amount of deveation.

I am probably just stating the obvious as you probably have already thought of this, but a test like what you are planning (a direct comparason of ballasts) you have to ensure everything other than the ballasts is constant or you will not have valid results.

having said that,
Power(watts) consumed by ballast.
Power(watts) consumed by lamps
Temp of lamps.
Lumens of lamps.
Hours run.
Model of ballast.
Lamps will be URI aquasun 10,000K.
this should be fine, I don't realy think "Temp of ballast" is important unless you are going to put a heat sink on each ballast.

Steve

[DJ88]

Titus,

I will be taking measurements of the lumens, lamp temp and ballast temp twice a day. IF anyone has any kind of data logging software tht woudl be cool. Other wise I was just goign to log it in excel so I can show tha data in tabular and graphical form.

If I had the equipment to measure noise and power fluctuations I'd go for those too.

I have tried approaching Icecap but have not ever recieved a response. If anyone can help me get in touch with any of the manufacturers I'd appreciate it. This is coming out of my pocket.

The frame will be made out of acrylic and will be a box that sits overtop of a 12" length of tube. I was thinking about making it opaque so it will only measure the light emitted. Any thoughts?

Steve,

New lamps will be put in with each test. I will start the measurements from day one and this will demonstrate the decrease of lamp intensity over time. We may find that some ballasts "burn in" a lamp faster than others.

I am reading the temp of the ballasts as it is mentioneed quite regularly as a concern with any type of ballast purchase. I know there will be differences as each ballast will be different with it's efficiency and will produce different amounts of heat. I want to demonstrate where the lost watts of power are disappearing. At least some of them.

Each ballast test will be run on a timer and for he same duration in time of days. 30 days. 60 is getting too long as I'd be looking at this taking a year or more possibly. 30 is fine.

[ 20 February 2002: Message edited by: DJ88 ]</p>

[Canadian]

Darren can you mock up a pic of the contraption you're going to use for the lamp and meter mount (I can't picture it)? I agree with your idea of using a completely sealed and opaque container to eliminate any ambient light skewing the results. The only difficulty I forsee is, in using a sealed box for the lamps and meter, you're going to have to allow for some ventillation with a fan or something so the temp doesn't get crazy-hot inside there.


I don't really see any need to test the lamps and ballasts for an entire month...unless of course your motivation for this testing has changed. If you're still just testing to see if one of them there ballasts, which will remain unnamed, is underdriving VHOs then you should be able to just run them for 24-48 hours and ensure that you do the same for each test and ballast. This way you can do the same test 3 times for each ballast and take the average rather than doing only one test which could give erroneous results for one reason or another.

[DJ88]

Hey Andrew,

My plans for the box are so that it is only placed over the tube for measurements. Then teh lid is closed once it is taken. imagine a box 12" high 6 inches wide and 8" deep. A notch will be cut to fit around the tube on the sides. The meter will be placed on the top of this only for measurements.

I want to run this for a longer period of time so as to see what kind of "burn in" each ballast has on a lamp. As well I want a large amount of data collected. So as to minimize any erroneous data. two measurements or more will be made each day to also factor out changes in power to the ballast etc.

I do see your point about running them for a longer period in the day to make the test runs shorter. ie 18 hours a day and test three or more times. instead of 12 hours with two measurements.


Titus & Victor(or anyone else who has the following),

Do have, know anyone who has a good quality Oscilloscope I can use for this? I want to measure Amps drawn adn well as voltage into the balalst but need to know phase angle to calculate Watts and Not Volt Amps.

Victor, if you have a scope I could borrow for a bit, I am sure I can let ya use the lux meter for an extended period of time for your own testing of Overdriven NO's.

If no one has that what about a good wattmeter???? up to 400W or so.

Awaiting any responses.

[ 20 February 2002: Message edited by: DJ88 ]</p>