Electronic select-a-watt HQI setting same as M80?

[wayner]

I bought a real one , M80 that is, Sunlight Supply, heavy, built like a tank, I probably would of bought a PFO but they stopped making them, I know Sunlight Supply has China put them together now, I was concerned about Quality Control., don't know why, everything is made in China now from what I've read, there have been no issues - and they are a true M80, just got my Radium Bulb 250.

I know this doesn't answer your question, just thought I'd share that my plan all along was to use a M80 ballast or HQI if you will, with the Radium.

If you don't get the answers your looking for, send a PM to Paul Erik (lighting Guru) Reef Central.

[lastlight]

Yeah I will do that. I saw his name pop up a lot the past few days in my searches. Thanks!

[whatcaneyedo]

Share what you find out on here. I was curious about this too when I saw the lumatek for sale at Progressive Reef.

[fkshiu]

I highly doubt that the Select-a-Watt ballasts are true M80s.

Firstly, they're marketed as "electronic". An M80 is a magnetic ballast.

Secondly, have you ever picked up an M80? It weighs a freakin' ton because of the huge transformer. The listed shipping weight of a Select-a-Watt is 6 lbs - much lighter.

That said, I haven't seen any performance numbers, but I strongly suspect that it will behave like any other electronic ballast meaning that you'll draw a true amount of wattage and it will underdrive HQI-spec'd bulbs like the Radium (i.e. lower PAR). Radiums on electronics also tend to appear far more blue than they do while driven by a true M80.

[lastlight]

I have a feeling you're right. I'll be buying a blue wave 7 unless someone can convince me otherwise.