Magnetic Virus Electronic MH Ballast

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david540i

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Just wondering what are the pro and cons of these different ballast?

Are the electronic's more efficient?

Also, has anyone have any experience with the Advance M57 Ballast?
http://www.hellolights.com/17unmagm57ba.html

Thanks
 
Electronic ballasts are much quieter and generate less heat than magnetic. I believe that the heat is wasted energy, thus the electronic ones should be more efficient than magnetic. That being said, the magnetic ballasts tend to drive bulbs a bit harder than the electronic ones do.

I have used the Advance M57 but didn't provide sufficient cooling and fried the capacitors in about a months time. In addition, those things buzzed like mad! :shock:

I've been using the Coralvue Electronic Ballasts for over a year now and am extremely happy with them.
 
So im guessing an electronic ballast is the way to go. I was lookin at the Ice Cap ballast. They seem pretty easy to install and aren't those HUGE ballast like the pfo's.

Another question, Mogul based VS HQI double endded. I want to go with HQI and was wondering if any electronic MH ballast would work. I will be matching ballast watts with the bulb wattage. I guess my question is, will the same MH ballast power a HQI and a Mogul with the proper base for each bulb?
 
I have Ice Cap Electric 250w ballast driving Reef Optics III DE reflectors with Ushio 250 10k bulbs with 196 watts of PC actinics. I love the color, even without the Actinics on (A little yellow but not too bad). The ballast are cool the touch and do not make any noise.
 
I use Ice Cap electronic 250 watt ballast also. I love them for the size and less heat. Heat and size were a big issue with me since they are mounted inside the stand.

If I am not mistaken, electronic ballast are more flexible for use with different type bulbs. Most electronic ballast will run a hqi or mogul bulb, whereas magnetic ballast mainly run one or the other. I recall reading that somewhere.
 
An electric ballast won't drive an HQI (double ended) bulb to spec. Sure it's 250w for example, but most HQI magnetic ballast drive the bulb to over 280. You will get more life out of the bulb on an e-ballast, but not quiet the output it was inteded to produce. I wouldn't worry about it though.
 
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