input needed. VHO testing...

[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