Cheap vs. Expensive Ballasts

[bopeep]

Hey everybody.

Is there a big difference between an Icecap VHO ballast and a cheaper Advance ballast, like the REL2S110? I was reading about using NO bulbs in VHO ballasts, and wondered if the Advance ballast would be able to do the same things for NO that the Icecaps do. Thanks.

 

[bensenvill]

I cant comment on the specific ballasts that you mentioned but I can make some comments as an electrical engineer. Higher quality components give a cleaner and more consistant electrical signal. This makes the ballast more efficient costing less money to run. An unclean signal will produce less light and release more heat (both from the ballast but also in the bulb itself). This also causes strain on the bulb shortening its life. Most of this strain is actually caused during startup. My honest opinion is that a better ballast will hopefully save you money in the long run by wasting or dissapating less electricity. Please correct me if anything is unaccurate.
~Terrence

 

[blownalcohol]

IMO for VHO the icecap is the way to go.I use 2 actinic bulbs and 2 ge ultra's from wal-mart with the icecap.Icecap has great CS, and later on if you decide to use pc's the icecap will light these too.

 

[suckair]

What you need to be thinking about is Metal Halide HQI setups..

That is if you are running a reef with light hungry animals..

Randall