Over driving NO lighting

TheReefGeek · #1 02-01-2006, 08:27 PM

Yeah, if you are buying new bulbs anyways, just buy a proper electronic ballast

fishmanty · #2 02-03-2006, 06:19 AM

Today I purchased 2 PC ballasts, meant to hold 4 bulbs each. I decided to overdrive both ballasts, and have only 2 bulbs in each ballast. I have never seen a PC as bright as this one... and the best part of it is, it all cost $120 with extra 55watt 10,000k bulbs!!

Wiring only took me 30min, now i just need to install them into a reflector and im set.

They do get hot, so tomorrow i will be buying fans from Radio shack to help get air moving in there.

StirCrazy · #3 02-03-2006, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishmanty

I decided to overdrive both ballasts, and have only 2 bulbs in each ballast. I have never seen a PC as bright as this one...

its amazing how a slight increase in visual brightness makes us think it is putting out way more light. when I overdrove my 55 watt PC's for a test I only got a 6% increase in PAR but they looked way brighter.

Steve

TheReefGeek · #4 02-03-2006, 02:26 PM

Do you have a PAR tester then? I have always been curious to test my setup.

Invigor · #5 02-03-2006, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheReefGeek

Do you have a PAR tester then? I have always been curious to test my setup.

of course he does, this is steve we're talking about! (he's a lighting nerd)

TheReefGeek · #6 02-03-2006, 03:03 PM

I'm well on my way to Nerd, but have to settle with Geek for now. Maybe once I get a par meter, refractometer, pH controller, etc.

TommDool · #7 02-07-2006, 05:25 AM

I have over driven t10 bulbs. I noticed my 12" bulbs driven 4x were increadible. When I went to a bigger tank I just added 48" bulbs to the over driven ballasts. I don't think they are as bright as when I was only overdriving the 12" ones. Still really bright compared to not having them over driven. I had these ballast floating around (which is a t8 electric from CT) If I had to spend the money I just get a workhorse 7 and run T5HO, PC or VHO. I think it would cost about the same and you could still overdrive them for that extra bit if you must.