Metal Halide Bulb Recomendation

[A. grandis]

I have a question regarding the Hamilton 250 watt ballast. After researching and reading a lot, I have found that the the Hamilton 400 watt M135 pulse start ballast is not the same as the ballast (will not power the bulb to spec) that was use as in the older Sunlight Supply BW or the PFO ballast. Is this the same with the 250 watt M80 ballast that Hamilton sells?

I think independent of brand names the ANSI codes are recommended by the bulbs' manufacturers and we should try to follow their directions in order to achieve the best performance and long life of the bulbs. Every bulb has the ANSI code and ballast recommended for that number. It seems like it's true to say that today's electronic ballasts are pretty good to play with most bulbs. But some times still won't draw the best performance and we notice color changes, for example. The 250W M80 ballast is an HQI ballast that will run 250W Radium bulbs to it's top performance. Many noticed that if we use the electronic ballast with the Radium it will be somehow bluer than it with the M80. I think the only 250W SE bulb that would need a M80 is the Radium. Generally speaking that's what it is.

 

[SeabrookZoo]

Which ANSI PFO or SLS ballast are you referring to? The Pulse Start, which is the same, or the HQI which is different. The HQI 400W ballast tends to reduce the life of Radium 400W bulbs.

I believe it was their HQI ballast the 430w HPS Son Agro 430? But these are pretty much gone or super expensive as I have found. I read a lot about this, as I am not that familiar with it, so if I made an error in this, please correct me. But your pulse start M135 ballast is what’s sold now to run it correct? I guess to simplify my question, is the 250 watt M80 the same as the old M80 HQI?

 

[SeabrookZoo]

I think independent of brand names the ANSI codes are recommended by the bulbs' manufacturers and we should try to follow their directions in order to achieve the best performance and long life of the bulbs. Every bulb has the ANSI code and ballast recommended for that number. It seems like it's true to say that today's electronic ballasts are pretty good to play with most bulbs. But some times still won't draw the best performance and we notice color changes, for example. The 250W M80 ballast is an HQI ballast that will run 250W Radium bulbs to it's top performance. Many noticed that if we use the electronic ballast with the Radium it will be somehow bluer than it with the M80. I think the only 250W SE bulb that would need a M80 is the Radium. Generally speaking that's what it is.

Gotcha. Thank you sir!

 

[X-37B]

I believe it was their HQI ballast the 430w HPS Son Agro 430? But these are pretty much gone or super expensive as I have found. I read a lot about this, as I am not that familiar with it, so if I made an error in this, please correct me. But your pulse start M135 ballast is what’s sold now to run it correct? I guess to simplify my question, is the 250 watt M80 the same as the old M80 HQI?

Yes its what I am setting up.

 

[SeabrookZoo]

Yes its what I am setting up.

Thank you!