Ballast Question

[UnderWaterWorld]

Hi All,

I am totally clueless abt the ballasts used in lighting.

What is the differences and advantages of using electronic ballast and the conventional one?

Thanks in advance,
wilson

[|squee|]

Electronic ballasts are much lighter, produce less heat, and use less energy. However, they can only be used with PL light tubes.

Normal iron core ballasts can be used for both FL and PL, but they are heavy, produce alot of heat, and consequently use more energy.

[UnderWaterWorld]

Thanks alot!

Is it true that on the basis of similar wattage, PL tubes have stronger light intensity than FL? Also more energy saving too?

Sorry to O/T a bit...

Thanks,
wilson

[stocker]

Electronic ballasts are much lighter, produce less heat, and use less energy. However, they can only be used with PL light tubes.

Normal iron core ballasts can be used for both FL and PL, but they are heavy, produce alot of heat, and consequently use more energy.

erm, e-ballast can be used with FL as well I think... that's what I'm using.

[juggler]

Thanks alot!

Is it true that on the basis of similar wattage, PL tubes have stronger light intensity than FL? Also more energy saving too?

Sorry to O/T a bit...

Thanks,
wilson

I don't think so. A 36W PL and a 36W FL should have the same intensity.
Except that PL tubes are usually shorter than FL for the same wattage, so it looks brighter per length. And you can place more PLs in the same lighting set or hood to achieve more brightness.

BTW - iron core or e-Ballast can be used interchangeably with either PL or FL.
If you use a iron-core ballast with PL or FL, you need to attach a starter. With an e-Ballast, no starter required.

[stocker]

I don't think so. A 36W PL and a 36W FL should have the same intensity.
Except that PL tubes are usually shorter than FL for the same wattage, so it looks brighter per length. And you can place more PLs in the same lighting set or hood to achieve more brightness.

the 36W PL is U shaped, so if you made it into a straight line, like a FL, the length would be about 800mm (max length is 411mm from Osram web site).

A 18W T8 FL is 600mm, and a 24W T5 is also 600mm. Equivalently, a approx "600mm straight" PL would be the 24W one... So based on this, the PL is more intense than the FL? Also the narrower tube diamenter makes it more intense, more light output per unit volume of tube. And so, based on this, the HQI would be super intense... correct me if I'm wrong.

[UnderWaterWorld]

Hi All,

I lost touch with the market prices already. A Qn here - for a light hood with electronic ballast with two 40W PL tubes - priced at almost 70 bucks: is it worth it?

Any better prices?

Thanks in advance for all the enlightening advice given!

Rgds,
wilson

[tawauboy]

the two tubes should be 36w each, not 40w. however, the e-ballast should be rated at 40w.