ATI T5 Dimmable - First 50 Hours Break-in

[DivingTheWorld]

I installed my new ATI T5 Dimmable fixture with new ATI T5 bulbs and I followed the recommended controller settings for the first 50 hours break-in. I set to:

Channels 1 & 2
01) 12:00 On
02) 12:01 100%
03) 17:00 100%
04) 17:00 Off

My question is this: Why do they recommend the On offset by 1 minute, but the Off is not? Is this not dimming the bulbs for the first minute? Or is it that the fixture for some reason requires one minute to warm up to 100%? Why the 1 minute offset?

Sorry if this is a stupid question! I couldn't find it searching or on the ATI website.

 

[serenity]

Mine arrives next week. Would like to know the answer myself.


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[Freds]

I set mine manually to 100% and ran them for 50 hours straight. I then set both channels back to auto. I covered the top with cardboard for most of the day and night to not burn the corals.

 

[luvreefs23]

Can you post a picture of how you had to wire the ballast? I have a LET 2 bulb and have the ballast but that 7th wire input on the ballast had me confused and can't find a clear instruction on how it's wired up.

Thanks

 

[DivingTheWorld]

Can you post a picture of how you had to wire the ballast? I have a LET 2 bulb and have the ballast but that 7th wire input on the ballast had me confused and can't find a clear instruction on how it's wired up.

Thanks

I'm afraid I don't know. The ATI fixture comes totally wired, plug and play.

 

[mcgyvr]

Can you post a picture of how you had to wire the ballast? I have a LET 2 bulb and have the ballast but that 7th wire input on the ballast had me confused and can't find a clear instruction on how it's wired up.

Thanks

Diagrams are always right on the ballast or pull the datasheet based on the part number..
Or post the part number if you want help..

 

[mcgyvr]

And to the OP about the 1 minute setting..
I have no idea why they did that.. It doesn't need to be like that..
Maybe its just for a "softer start" just as a personal preference by whomever set the default programming on them..

 

[DivingTheWorld]

And to the OP about the 1 minute setting..
I have no idea why they did that.. It doesn't need to be like that..
Maybe its just for a "softer start" just as a personal preference by whomever set the default programming on them..

I gave them a call and as you said, it's basically just for a softer start. Any dimming during the first minute has zero negative effect to the bulbs during the burn in period. So I'm just leaving mine as is with the one minute as suggested by ATI.

 

[JohnnyHildo]

I set mine manually to 100% and ran them for 50 hours straight. I then set both channels back to auto. I covered the top with cardboard for most of the day and night to not burn the corals.

i basically do the same thing.
when it's time to replace bulbs i have just been using channel 1 (which are slots 3 & 6 of my 52w 8-bulb fixture) and running them at 100% in manual. until those 2 bulbs are burned in i don't run channel 2 at all so the fish/corals aren't blasted. it usually takes about 4 days to get the bulbs burned in and i can go back to my regular auto schedule.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

i basically do the same thing.
when it's time to replace bulbs i have just been using channel 1 (which are slots 3 & 6 of my 52w 8-bulb fixture) and running them at 100% in manual. until those 2 bulbs are burned in i don't run channel 2 at all so the fish/corals aren't blasted. it usually takes about 4 days to get the bulbs burned in and i can go back to my regular auto schedule.

My plan for bulb replacement down the road is an idea I gleaned from several other folks on the forum. I will just just swap out two bulbs/week until all bulbs have been replaced. I don't plan on changing the lighting schedule at all during bulb replacement.

 

[JohnnyHildo]

My plan for bulb replacement down the road is an idea I gleaned from several other folks on the forum. I will just just swap out two bulbs/week until all bulbs have been replaced. I don't plan on changing the lighting schedule at all during bulb replacement.

the problem with that is my daily program starts with the channel 1 bulbs dimmed which is not an option for a new bulb. to be honest neither of my channels really ever get to 100% power over the course of the day which is why i do it this way.