Overdriving lights.

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

Sounds cool...too bad I am too busy to help.

Just wanted to tell you guys....umm...I was readjusting my reflectors and I noticed something unusual...I am getting shimmers from my fluroescent tubes ! [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Not quite as dramatic as MH...put there is a shimmering effect. Oh my...what have I started now....

- Victor.

[canadawest]

I was thinking last night, and came up with a question.

I am planning on upgrading to 2x250W MH lamps sometime in the new year. I will be keeping my Icecap 660, but reducing the number of lamps from 4 to 2 to make room for the MH lamps.

With that in mind, would it be possible to overdrive 2x48" Actinic VHO lamps using all the leads from the Icecap 660?

That way I could reduce the number of lamps to make room for the MH, without reducing (as much) the amount of light from the remaining VHO lamps.

Ideas???

[DJ88]

Ok,

I asked a few questions abotu a spectum analyzer at BCIT and they have a few. I am going to go ask the the physics technicians if I can use one to make some measurements.

I'll keep ya posted..

[titus]

Hello Darren,

If there are anyone who knows about breaking light up for spectral analysis, it'll be the physics and astronomy people. I don't think the typical spectrum analyzer will do though. But the physicist may have something special.
Let us know what you find.

Titus

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

I think Titus is referring to a light spectrometer -- that's the one you want [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

VHO overdrive.................

Hmmm...I am not sure if you would get much benefit from that. The problem is that VHOs are already hot. Overdriving them further would make them hotter -- hence less efficient and more fragile (not to mention, not lasting as long). What were your plans with the "Super VHOs" and what type of MH (or MV) are you planning to get ?

- Victor.

[DJ88]

I was going to ask my physics lab instructor today but we had a test so he wasn't to receptive to answering questions..

I'll ask mor in the next day or so.. He said they have waht I wanted. I described what I am looking for.

Breaking down individual wavelengths and showing intensities of each peak etc.. Told hime it was for the visible spectum only. ~400 to 700

[Gordoe]

Would it not be the chemical composition of a lamp that makes up its spectrum?

The difference between a new lamps spectrum, and and old lamp is dramatic. We see this with the growth of algae when a lamp gets too old. The power does increase over the life of the lamp, but it's an increase in current. The variable is the lamp, more specifically what the electrical charge has done to the gases in the tube.

I don't forsee any change in the spectrum, only a change in amplitude.

just my humble theory,
Gord [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[StirCrazy]

Gord, there are several things going on here.. as a floresent gets old the color shifts as the gasses inside are being broken down to a cirtian degree.. also when you over drive it there is a chance the extra current will affect the gasses slightly different shifting the spectrum a tiny bit.

Steve

[canadawest]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by reefburnaby:
Hi,

VHO overdrive.................

Hmmm...I am not sure if you would get much benefit from that. The problem is that VHOs are already hot. Overdriving them further would make them hotter -- hence less efficient and more fragile (not to mention, not lasting as long). What were your plans with the "Super VHOs" and what type of MH (or MV) are you planning to get ?

- Victor.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was just thinking that I would only be using 2 VHO Super-Actinics, but have an Icecap660 that is currently running 4 lamps. If I am only going to keep 2, why not overdrive them with the leads not being used? Just wondering, as it sounds much like the NO overdrive thing.

As for MH, I am probably going to go with dual 250W MH using Iwasaki 6500K lamps. I hear they have one of the highest PAR output and good overall spectrum (comparable to the sun). I'll supplement with two of my existing 48" VHO Super-Actinics.

Figure that will allow me to keep more SPS corals, as well as improve the health of my existing inhabitants. A jump from 440W to 720W and a much different (better) intensity light. I'll also be able to then utilize a dusk/dawn effect by staggering the photo-period of the MH with the actinics.

(And gain that cool shimmering effect!)

[StirCrazy]

Andrew, are you wondering if you can get close to the rated output by doing this on your VHO's sence they are a little under powered now? hmm that would be interesting to see how maby watts you would get by doing that. if you have a multi meter measure it and let me know.. I am betting it will be about 230ish watts [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Steve