Optimum Ballast for 175W 10000k German Bulbs
 

The title pretty much sums it up. I'm considering running the 175W 10000k German bulbs (I don't know the make but J&Ls has them) but with all the talk of performance on certain ballasts I wanted to know what some of you informed lighting guys think. I know it'll be a substantial drop in intensity but I'd change my stocking accordingly.

Troy I used 175w 10ks from J&L for a good 14-15 months. I ran one on a standard pfo ballast and the other on a hamilton ballast (I don't knwo what the actual ballast was inside). The pfo was maybe a little bit brighter. I would be curious to know what other ballasts might utilise the 175 bulbs better. I haven't seen 175w hqi ballasts, but I wonder how they might run on a 150w hqi ballast. I'm curious to see what kind of information you find. I still have my 3 month old 175s sitting on the shelf.

:D

They will know.

However, I run 175w 10kk Ushios on the Hamilton ballast, whatever the heck that is.....lol It ran AB's similarly, but those were old when I bought the unit, so I never gave them much chance.

Awesome bright white....with only two NO actinics. Even without.

Now, on to the professionals... :lol:

oops..just missed your post One... :oops:

Troy, I ran mine for a year with PFO ballasts. I really liked the color. I haven't looked specifically at your question, but while reading other posts on RC, I think the M57 is as good as you're gonna get with those.
BTW, J&L has the Ushio bulbs. Jayson has the German true 10k, can't recall the difference.

If it was me buying it troy I would use a M137 pulse start ballast.. this should extend bulb life (acording to tests conducted so far) and will burn the bulb properly.. I have a 10000K Ushio 175 watt MH also and it is run on a normal MH ballast and it is very unreliable in its starting.. some times it starts first time, some times second time, some times it will try and try and finaly go a hour later. When J&L was asked about this by myself there reply was that it is commen with all 10000K bulbs.. I now know that is because they are comenly run on the wrong ballasts :roll:

Steve

Thanks for the input guys & gal :) . Steve do you have a source and price on the M137 pulse start?

Brad, how did you find the colour on SPS under the 175s? I'm not going to have many but I'm kind of attached to a couple that Marc gave me. I'd hate to have them lose colour but the main intent of the tank is branching LPS.

Adam, Deb and Brad, did you guys all also experience poor starts with your 10000K bulbs?

No... :? :?:

Deb, Steve mentioned that his bulb wasn't firing (and his wife confirmed this 8) ) so I wondered if any of you had the same problems.

:lol:

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I hope Steve sees the humour :) .