MH Ballast ID - Attn old school reefers

[NitrateKillah]

Would anyone here happen to know how to ID the wattage of a ballast? I have had 400's and 250's in the past.

I started out reefing in early 2K, I didn't know what I was doing. I sold most of my stuff, but my ballast, as it was too heavy to ship.
I am glad I did not sell it however.

This is for a PFO Dual HQI Ballast, I looked at the bottom and cannot tell what wattage it is? I cherish this ballast, as its the holy grail of all radium bulbs.
Any help would be great.

 

[NitrateKillah]

Bummer, I open one up, its 150 Watt DE.

I have no idea what the second one is? core and coil is 45uf? can this be my 400?

 

[Wheeldog]

Bummer, I open one up, its 150 Watt DE.

I have no idea what the second one is? core and coil is 45uf? can this be my 400?

Possibly a 400HQI PFO. A cursory google search turned up an old RC thread discussing the PFO 400HQI ballast using a 45 μF capacitor. You would need to do a little more digging to figure out the model numbers on either the PFO enclosure or the actual ballast inside. They look like dual ballasts from what I remember of my old PFO 400 watt ones due to their long case. I thought I remembered single ones being half that size.

 

[PaulErik]

If that PFO ballast has a 45uf capacitor it is the 400 watt HQI ballast.

Unfortunately Radium changed the 400 watt lamp years ago. Using that ballast causes the lamp to fail prematurely. The wire lead to the arc tube can melt and break from over current.

That ballast is still good for Ushio (none CWA models) and Giesemann 400 watt lamps.

 

[Wheeldog]

If that PFO ballast has a 45uf capacitor it is the 400 watt HQI ballast.

Unfortunately Radium changed the 400 watt lamp years ago. Using that ballast causes the lamp to fail prematurely. The wire lead to the arc tube can melt and break from over current.

That ballast is still good for Ushio (none CWA models) and Giesemann 400 watt lamps.

lol there you go... PaulErik was the exact person with all the knowledge in the RC thread I found from 10 years ago. I loved the old PFO ballasts back then, don’t have any left, just one of their DE pendants.

 

[kenchilada]

Wow brings back memories, I had a couple of these, they were great!

 

[NitrateKillah]

If that PFO ballast has a 45uf capacitor it is the 400 watt HQI ballast.

Unfortunately Radium changed the 400 watt lamp years ago. Using that ballast causes the lamp to fail prematurely. The wire lead to the arc tube can melt and break from over current.

That ballast is still good for Ushio (none CWA models) and Giesemann 400 watt lamps.

You are AWESOME. So what do I do? I love the look of the Rad's on the PFO.

Will Ushio give me the same effects? what is CWA? I remember the ballasts was not firing up, not sure if it was related to the outlet.

I did a search and read that I should try changing the capacitor first. Where do I find:

CAP 45UF 270 VAC MIN

If what you are telling me about the rad's, I am hugely disappointed. Is there anything I can do to simulated the original look?

 

[NitrateKillah]

I am using V90C2050.

 

[PaulErik]

Yes that ballast is the PFO 400W HQI.

Ushio has 2 models of the 400W lamps. CWA models are designed for North American probe start ballasts (ANSI M59). The none CWA models are European spec lamps. Designed for HQI/European ballasts.

The Ushio 20,000K appears slightly more violet/purple than the Radium. The current version of the Radium 400W now works best with pulse start ANSI M135/M155 or 400W electronic ballasts. If you want a similar appearance to the old Radium then use an electronic ballast with the Radium 400W. The current pulse start ballasts available actually under drive this lamp slightly.

 

[NitrateKillah]

ty everyone.