Electronic vs Tar Ballasts

[muck]

Can somebody explain the pros and cons of the different types of ballasts for metal halide lighting. Also is there a benefit in getting the DE Style Bulbs as opposed to the SE Bulbs. Im getting crossed signals from different sources.

If I wanted to ghetto together a custom hood what "componets" would you recommend I consider...


Tank is to be a 24x24x24 Cube

[Gools]

Tar ballasts put out a ton of heat, which is just energy being wasted. Where as electronic runs alot cooler, you can put your hand on it and leave it there. which means your using less energy to run. But I have heard that tar drives the bulb better, and that electronic, runs the bulb a little lower, but is suppose to give your bulb a little longer life compared to the tar. I started with the DIY Tar, and have since moved up to Ice cap ballasts. Both are great, But the Ice caps are more expensive, but are cheaper to run cost wise.

[johnny rock]

lots and lots of debate about lighting and one of the hardest choices. In the beginning I was tempted to buy ICECAPS my self but the price!!! giving they do run cooler but there has been studies and rumores that the reason they run cooler and are more energy effiecient is because they under drive the lamp. there also has been some info showing that they really don't save all that much hydro. there also has been and still is issues with certain lamps not doing well on electronic ballast and humming and interference with monitoring systems and such. some love them very much. I decided to go with standard PFO ballasts as I can run a bigger choice of lamps and run them properly[IMO] I have a 400w ballast and while its a tad warm I can still put my hand on it. DE setups are also great but,,, theres only so many choices of lamps and they come in 250w max. some say thats enough as they apperently light almost as good as 400w but they just don't have the light spread as a 400w on a spider reflector. This is all IMO and its there just to help ya.

[vjvl51]

I suggest taking a look at this - http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm It compares various ballasts with current ratings, voltage ratings, heat ratings, etc. I know this is only for 250 W SE but it may answer some of your questions.

Vickie

[muck]

Thanks to all that offered there opinions.

If anyone else wants to jump in i would love to hear more...

[EmilyB]

I really miss your old avatar Muck.

[muck]

Originally Posted by EmilyB

I really miss your old avatar Muck.

Brought back by popular demand...