MH Ballast help

parkinsn · #1 01-28-2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

Thanks. I may look into this then. So then is it possible to switch parts to make this an HQI ballast?

the only diffrence between HQI and SE is the lamp initial operating voltage, right now i am running my SE's with an HQI PFO ballast. Note that you will shorten the lamp life doing this, by how much im not sure but i wouldnt think it to be substantial though.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #2 01-29-2009, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkinsn

the only diffrence between HQI and SE is the lamp initial operating voltage, right now i am running my SE's with an HQI PFO ballast. Note that you will shorten the lamp life doing this, by how much im not sure but i wouldnt think it to be substantial though.

Ok but it doesn't work the other way around right?

Like I cannot use HQI bulbs with my current ballast?

parkinsn · #3 01-29-2009, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

Ok but it doesn't work the other way around right?

Like I cannot use HQI bulbs with my current ballast?

I dont think so because the start up voltage for the HQI is higher, but i have never tryed going that way. It might work but you may not get the lamp to full bright.

fkshiu · #4 01-29-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkinsn

the only diffrence between HQI and SE is the lamp initial operating voltage, right now i am running my SE's with an HQI PFO ballast. Note that you will shorten the lamp life doing this, by how much im not sure but i wouldnt think it to be substantial though.

It all depends on the bulb itself. I am using Radium 20K SEs which are spec'd for HQI ballasts. They will not have shortened lamp life by running them on an HQI ballast.