NO/VHO Lighting Question

[ron101]

Originally Posted by Richy44

Ok, This has bugged me for some time. Now it is time to find out what the answer is.

Question: What determines the light output of the flourescent, the bulb or the basllast?

Both really. The ballast used determines how much power is put through the lamp (ie wattage). The quality of the lamp can also affect light output and longevity.

Originally Posted by Richy44

If I put the NO 40W on an Icecap 430 Ballast does it now put out 110W of light or just 40?

Yes if you put an NO on a VHO ballast, the ballast will 'overdrive' the lamp to VHO levels. However, if I recall correctly, Icecaps don't produce the full 110W. Its something like 65W but with a higher frequency.

Originally Posted by Richy44

Will a 110W VHO bulb run at only 40W on an Icecap ballast?

No. If you wire the lamps as per their recommended configuration it should run at the 65W (or whatever it actually is).

Originally Posted by Richy44

My main Question: Is it possible for the 110W VHO bulb to be running at just 40W on an Ice cap Ballast. The reason I ask is, last week my lights are still lit but are WAY less intense.

I suppose it is possible but my first guess would be the steep output drop off of fluorescent lamps. It is not uncommon to see fluorescents lose their out of the box intensity in only a few weeks yet alone a few months.

[Pan]

if you overdrive flourescent bulbs they burn out awful quick