20K bulbs

[ZANYMASTER]

Got a Blueline ballast for my fixture to replace my Made in China one for safety reasons.Anyway,I don't get the nice blue color I supposed to get from the XM bulb but instead I get a crisp white but when using the other ballast,I get the blue and I even replaced the bulb with another brand and still getting the white.Thoughts?By the way,the XM was 4+ months old.Thoughts?Should I go with another Ballast?

 

[mshur]

The best 20k bulb on the market is Radiums. Over the years i have tried different bulbs and always get back to Radiums.

 

[ed4]

I recall reading something, somewhere that people had the same results of what you're describing. The more power-efficient the ballasts is/are, the whiter the bulbs will burn was the explanation IIRC.

Sounds like the Blueline are putting out more power to the bulbs than your old one.

(Also, what Mike said.)

 

[ZANYMASTER]

Exactly hence the shorter the Life if I keep it that way.Maybe I should try a Galaxy/Lumnitek one or should I go back to El cheapo?

 

[ed4]

What do you mean by the shorter of the life? Your bulbs not lasting long?

 

[loneracer05]

Correct. The more harder the bulb is driven the shorter its life.

 

[ed4]

Agreed. Underdriving bulbs also wreaks havoc on service life too.

IMO the difference in service life is probably negligible, as long as the bulb is driven near it's rated spec for the 2 ballasts Zany mentioned.

 

[mshur]

I run galaxy-radiums combo for 4 years with great success per say. I do change bulbs every 8 month wich it not so bad IMO.
Again, i am talking about 400w bulbs in 250w differsnt game all together..

 

[ZANYMASTER]

So both ways are bad so what's the solution?I'm running 150w.

 

[ed4]

So both ways are bad so what's the solution?I'm running 150w.

Both ways are negligible & similar, for bulb life IMO, however you'll prob get more PAR and lumens from the Blue Line.

 

[ZANYMASTER]

I saw a Galaxy going for cheap on Ebay.Maybe I should bid on it.

 

[Turbovr3six]

Fwiw I run a lumatek 250/400W ballast with radium 20K's and I love the look. Lumatek also sells 150/250W ballasts also, so I would look at those over the galaxy.

 

[ZANYMASTER]

BRS has a decent price for them.I might get it and that 29k bulb too.