Need Some Metal Halide Help...Please

[SPSjunky]

Both of you guys are awsome for helping me with this. So 2-400's mounted higher is gonna do about the same thing as 3-250's mounted lower. The difference is going to be the "spillage" of the light with the 400's mounted higher and the risk to the plastic brace on the 250's.It looks like a trade off on both ends here.Also got me thinking that i can get 1 duel ballast to run 2 bulbs but i would have to run multiple ballasts to run 3 bulbs,but neither of those scenerios bother me.I believe i am going to have to do some soul searching and more research to decide which option if for me.I cant thank you guys enough for your help on this issue.

 

[mcarroll]

Oddly, in the blue versions that we all like so much, Radium makes one DE (aka HQI) model and two* SE models:

• a DE 150 watt version that runs about 170 watts on an HQI ballast
• a SE 250 watt that runs about 270 watts on HQI
• a SE 360 watt energy saver we overdrive at 400 watts.

They do all have a similar look when run in the above manner. When the smaller bulbs are on electronic ballasts they tend to be under-driven, making them bluer (too blue, really). When the 360 watt bulb is on a electronic ballast it will be overdriven to 400 watts (should be anyway....any chance you have a Kill A Watt to measure yours robert?) - giving similar results as the smaller bulbs on HQI ballasts.

I think the 400 watt model was designed specifically to light the Lloyds of London building so it was designed as an energy saver. I don't see it on their website anymore, but Radium used to have a night shot of the Lloyds building in their product brochure for this bulb line. Very dramatic to have a building lit with these things!

Unlike most bulb makers they don't make all wattages of 20K in all form factors.

-Matt

* There is also a SE Radium 1000 watt blue, but I figure that's outside of scope. :nerd:

 

[mcarroll]

...about the ballasts

Check out Coral Vue's selectable Luxcore "400B" ballasts. ($160)

They'll give you the flexibility to put any bulb you want in your SE reflectors - from 250 watt to 400+ watts - including a specific "250 watt HQI" setting for your Radiums should you decide to want to try that now or later.

With those ballasts in my hip pocket I might be sorely tempted to come home with 400 watt *and* 250 watt Radiums just to see the difference. What's the risk?? Sell the bulbs you don't end up wanting to keep - if the dealer won't take them back. Lightly used Radiums sell quick.

Those ballasts would pair nicely with Lumen Bright reflectors, BTW.

Since you're pretty fearless on the budget, you've got lots good options in front of you - none bad - and not much as risk if you decide to change your mind either way.

One last heads up - the german Mogul base is an E40. It's not uncommon to find american Mogul base sockets which are E39 and about 1mm smaller. Usually not too big a deal, but good to be aware of in case you run into a bad fit - you aren't crazy.

 

[mcarroll]

Hm. There's a "Lumen Bright Wide" pendant that I was not aware of this until now - I think I'd look into this version of the Mini if I were you..

-Matt

 

[_sludgefactory]

I have a lumen bright pendant and i LOVE it. Covers my 54 corner perfect.



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