Ati / t5 bulbs Dimmable?

[ChrisB]

I am wondering if any one can point me to some good documentation that supports ati bulbs are not dimable or at least from what I read the bulbs do not last the 6 months. Curious on how long people keep lights on for , I am going to keep them on for ten hours as I am redoing my timers today.
My fixture is Ati sunpower dimable.
2 hours 4 blue + Chan 2), super led actinic /uv strip 80%
6 hours 4 blue +( chan 1) , fiji purp and coral + ,super led actinic /uv strip
2 hours 4 blue + (chan 2) ,super led actinic /uv strip 80%

 

[Fasthackem]

It's not the bulbs that are the issue. You need to have dimmable ballasts installed. Simply putting a dimmer on a regular fluorescent ballast will cause the ballast to heat up, and prematurely fail. I'm sure it not too great on the bulbs themselves either.

You would need to check out your ballasts and get the 411 off them and try and find a dimmable equivalent. Prob not going to be found in a Home Depot or Lowes either. You might have better luck at an Electrical Supplier, or hit the Grainger Web site. That's what I'de do.

It's also advisable to TEST for a time beforehand. Maybe on just one of the circuits to start for a few days. Or better yet on a completely different fixture.

Good luck!

F

 

[ChrisB]

It's not the bulbs that are the issue. You need to have dimmable ballasts installed. Simply putting a dimmer on a regular fluorescent ballast will cause the ballast to heat up, and prematurely fail. I'm sure it not too great on the bulbs themselves either.

You would need to check out your ballasts and get the 411 off them and try and find a dimmable equivalent. Prob not going to be found in a Home Depot or Lowes either. You might have better luck at an Electrical Supplier, or hit the Grainger Web site. That's what I'de do.

It's also advisable to TEST for a time beforehand. Maybe on just one of the circuits to start for a few days. Or better yet on a completely different fixture.

Good luck!


My bad I had forgot to mention My fixture is the Ati sunpower Dimmable, My questions is that I am reading and hearing that dimming t5 bulbs are not good for the bulb and it kills the life of bulbs.

F

Sorry I did not mention that I had Ati Sunpower dimable fixture. I am just wondering since I am reading online that t5 bulbs are not meant to be dimmed and it kills the life of the bulb. If this is true I will not dim and just turn them on at 100%

 

[Fasthackem]

Ah. You're good. Dim away. You might get a negligible loss of lamp life, but I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[qy7400]

From what I've read heat is the killer to the lamps, over driving them with the IceCap ballasts increased the output but if not cooled would burn out quickly. I doubt ATI would want the PR nightmare of a premium light burning up bulbs quickly, I'd give them a call and ask as there might be a fix if that's true.

 

[ChrisB]

I want to give them a call doubt they are open on sat. I'll try just get there hours. Haveing timer issues now . Set channel 1 to gin on at 3:30 and go off at 7:30 but its 1:24 snd channel is on . Pissing me off.
01) 15:30 On
02) 15:30 100%
03) 19:30 100%
04) 19:30 Off
05) 00:00 ---%
06) 00:00 ---%
07) 00:00 ---%
08) 00:00 ---%
09) 00:00 ---%
10) 00:00 ---%
not working

 

[mbg75]

Did u set the time on the fixture?

Also make sure channel 1 is on auto

 

[ChrisB]

Did u set the time on the fixture?

Also make sure channel 1 is on auto

Yes time is set why on auto?
01) 15:30 On
02) 15:30 100%
03) 19:30 100%
04) 19:30 Off
05) 00:00 ---%
06) 00:00 ---%
07) 00:00 ---%
08) 00:00 ---%
09) 00:00 ---%
10) 00:00 ---%
when I change 02) to 15:31 100% channel shuts off?? its alomst 3:30 want to see if it comes on now.

 

[mbg75]

Channel on auto uses the timer

 

[evolution21]

Scroll through the menu and click on manual once there make sure channel 1 and channel 2 are set to auto.....selecting manual to get to the 2 channels is different from selecting channel 1 and channel 2 separately from the main menu......for the timers to work....they have to be set on auto through the manual option.....hope this made sense

 

[ChrisB]

Both channels are on auto.
the only way I get channel 1 to come on is if I change 02) to 15:31 to 15:30 , change the min and it shuts off, also I have it set to 100% it says its on 54% same thins with channel 2 its set on 100% and is on 59% . Driving me nuts right now wish someone on Staten Island with same fixture could come help me out.

 

[mbg75]

Try
01) 15:30 On
02) 15:31 100%
03) 19:29 100%
04) 19:30 Off
05) 00:00 ---%
06) 00:00 ---%
07) 00:00 ---%
08) 00:00 ---%
09) 00:00 ---%
10) 00:00 ---%

 

[ChrisB]

Try
01) 15:30 On
02) 15:31 100%
03) 19:29 100%
04) 19:30 Off
05) 00:00 ---%
06) 00:00 ---%
07) 00:00 ---%
08) 00:00 ---%
09) 00:00 ---%
10) 00:00 ---%

Shuts channel off
to put channel back on i change it back to
01) 15:30 On
02) 15:30 100%
03) 19:30 100%
04) 19:31 Off
05) 00:00 ---%
06) 00:00 ---%
07) 00:00 ---%
08) 00:00 ---%
09) 00:00 ---%
10) 00:00 ---%
note sure if it will shut off at 7:30 also

 

[mbg75]

The light shows current time as 1646 or so?

What bulb slots are on?

 

[ChrisB]

The light shows current time as 1646 or so?

What bulb slots are on?

Ok I feel like an idiot I had time set on am, set it correct and both channels came on , chanel 1 slots 2 and 5 , chan 2 1,3,4 and 6. my only other prob and if it is a prob is now after I set time the channels are now chan 1 5% and chan 2 14% , will they ramp up even tho they are set on 100% in timers?

 

[mbg75]

Ok I feel like an idiot I had time set on am, set it correct and both channels came on , chanel 1 slots 2 and 5 , chan 2 1,3,4 and 6. my only other prob and if it is a prob is now after I set time the channels are now chan 1 5% and chan 2 14% , will they ramp up even tho they are set on 100% in timers?

If the timers are set to 100% and the manual setting for 1 and 2 are both on auto, then it should go right to 100%.

 

[ChrisB]

If the timers are set to 100% and the manual setting for 1 and 2 are both on auto, then it should go right to 100%.

Yes I just checked they are on auto and ramping up real slow

 

[mbg75]

Maybe factory reset it and start fresh.

 

[ChrisB]

ok did the factory reset.Channels on Auto ,Set timers as
Channel 1 bulbs 2 and 5
01) 15:30 On
02) 15:31 100%
03) 19:30 100%
04) 19:31 Off
05) 00:00 ---%
06) 00:00 ---%
07) 00:00 ---%
08) 00:00 ---%
09) 00:00 ---%
10) 00:00 ---%
Channel 2 bulbs 1,3,4,6
01) 13:30 On
02) 13:31 100%
03) 22:30 100%
04) 22:31 Off
05) 00:00 ---%
06) 00:00 ---%
07) 00:00 ---%
08) 00:00 ---%
09) 00:00 ---%
10) 00:00 ---%
After I hit save channel 1 went to 17% , channel 2 to 26%
When I hit factory reset should I have powered the unit off by pulling plug? The only thing that changed was the timers , the clock and date stayed set.

 

[mbg75]

Fans are working? temp is fine?

Call them on Monday.