#1
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Electric vs Tar
Well, I am thinking about getting a MH. But I don't really know much about the differences in ballast types.. ie, Electric vs Tar. Is one better than the other? Can someone explain this?
Thank You.
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Chad |
#2
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I can't explain it but I know that electronic is more efficient. The electronic is cooler and is gentler on your bulbs, IE you're bulbs last longer with electronic. Tar ballasts are heavy and generate alot of heat which to me means wasted energy. The last thing I know is that some bulbs are pulse start meaning they need a Hight voltages pulse of electricity to kind of jump start them where as some are probe start (those bulbs have the stuff built in to do the pulse). If you go electronic you can use any bulb as long as it's rated the same wattage.
Doug |
#3
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Re: Electric vs Tar
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so the only benifit of a electronic ballast is a little bit less power consumption due to less power being given off as heat. but at 0.0055/KWH it will take a long long time for the power savings to offset the extra cost. oh one other thing is every electronic ballast out there seams to kinda under drive the bulb which mean you are not getting all the possable light you should out of your bulb, where the 250 watt HQI consistantly gives you the highers PAR numbers which also extending the life of the bulb by virtue of running it properly. Steve
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*everything said above is just my opinion, and may or may not reflect the views of this BBS, its Operators, and its Members. If cornered on any “opinion” I post I will totally deny having ever said this in a Court of Law…Unless I am the right one* Some strive to be perfect.... I just strive. |
#4
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Steve, in regard to this post and my questions about 175 vs 250 you said to go with HQI ballasts... what is an HQI Ballast?
Thanks Doug |
#5
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And can you recommend one?
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#6
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make sure this is the only part number they use and if they can't find it tell them they will have to look in the advance world book not the advance canada. Steve
__________________
*everything said above is just my opinion, and may or may not reflect the views of this BBS, its Operators, and its Members. If cornered on any “opinion” I post I will totally deny having ever said this in a Court of Law…Unless I am the right one* Some strive to be perfect.... I just strive. |
#7
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A catalog of all the HID ballasts Advance makes...
http://www.advancetransformer.com/ec...hid_lookup.asp Plug in ANSI code M80 (250W) or M81 (150W) and you'll find the HQI ballasts that Advance makes. You'll get the part #'s and spec sheets (you'll still have to order the ballast from somewhere but at least you can read up on them). I'm not 100% certain of this, but I think Advance might be the only maker of HQI tar ballasts. I don't think Venture or the other better known ballasts makers do, but if I'm mistaken maybe someone can point me to some info.
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-- Tony My next hobby will be flooding my basement while repeatedly banging my head against a brick wall and tearing up $100 bills. Whee! |
#8
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Quote:
Steve
__________________
*everything said above is just my opinion, and may or may not reflect the views of this BBS, its Operators, and its Members. If cornered on any “opinion” I post I will totally deny having ever said this in a Court of Law…Unless I am the right one* Some strive to be perfect.... I just strive. |
#9
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Thanks Steve and Tony.
Doug |
#10
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Just looking at the advanced site and I did the ANSI M80 search, it says the average watts = 290 will that overdrive my 250 bulb?
Doug |