Coralvue dimmable ballast user questions

[A sea K]

I've decided on using the Coralvue electronic ballast but wanted some input from users that have the dimmable feature.

My first question is how the function actually works? Does it fire the bulb fine when dialed down or do you need to fire the bulb under full power then adjust?
Have long term users found this feature to be usefull or only for certain applications(acclimating) and has it been reliable.
One advertisement claims the dimmable feature allows overdrivng the bulb @ 10%. Most electronics run the bulb very near the rated wattage. I'm selecting 250 watt ballast so can I expect 275 watt from this ballast and would continual use of overdriving shorten the ballast life or create any other relliability problems?

I will be addressing these issues with my selected vendor but I was wanting some valid user opinions first. If you have anything to add I may have overlooked please feel free to comment.

 

[A sea K]

Still open to user feedback and thought I'd bring this back to the top for the weekday crowd.

 

[GlassReef]

I would also be very interested in any answers A sea K receives ....

 

[hankzilla]

I just changed out bulbs, so I dialed down the ballast to output around 200 watts and it starts just fine. When I initially ran the ballast for the first days of use, I had problems with the combination new bulbs new ballast firing up at the lowest setting around 150w. This could have been because each item had not quote burned in yet, so I have not tried it again. I really like this feature of acclimating the corals to a new bulb and not having to raise and lower the reflector height. I am not sure if there is a heat difference but I would assume there is decrease in heat maybe... I have two ballast same purchase date one runs at 250w and the other 275w??? So I have to dial one of them down slightly. Home that helps.

 

[hankzilla]

I just changed out bulbs, so I dialed down the ballast to output around 200 watts and it starts just fine. When I initially ran the ballast for the first days of use, I had problems with the combination new bulbs new ballast firing up at the lowest setting around 150w. This could have been because each item had not quote burned in yet, so I have not tried it again. I really like this feature of acclimating the corals to a new bulb and not having to raise and lower the reflector height. I am not sure if there is a heat difference but I would assume there is decrease in heat maybe... I have two ballast same purchase date one runs at 250w and the other 275w??? So I have to dial one of them down slightly. Home that helps.

 

[JRaquatics]

At about the 7/8ths mark is at normal run with the Dimmable ballast. This is also were the optimal par value is (at least with the Reeflux 12ks). When you run them at 100% you get a whiter light and lower (under driving) you will bet a bluer look. I personally seldom use the dimmable feature but can see it coming in handy if I ever switch to a different bulb and was looking to get a whiter or bluer effect. IMO any time you over drive a bulb you are shortening its life, but by how much I am not sure. Currently I am replacing my bulbs at 6-8 months with about 7 hours a day burn in. I have never had any problems of miss fires with the CV dimmables.

 

[A sea K]

hankzilla, I'm assuming both the ballast are dimmable? but one only has a max output of 250 watts. How old are the ballast? Going by JR's info I probably won't ever run at full power but I would like assurances the ballast will perform as intended. Did you contact the seller/manufacture when you noticed the problem and if so was it handled to your satisfaction or was it more along the lines of some of the ballast will do that and we have no remedy?

JR, no supplemental lights aside from dusk to dawn effect so color is a big factor. I can see a benifit to some color control as you described. Also how old are the ballast your using?

 

[hankzilla]

Yes both are CV dimmable ballast and I didn't contact the manufacture on that issue. I had one ballast fail in the beginning sent it in serviced within a little over a week turn around. When I discovered one was over driving I did not what to be without light and again so I'm just dealing with it.

Edit: Running for about 10 months now.

 

[A sea K]

I'm pretty solid on my decision with the coralvue but your case does'nt sound very encouraging. 1 bad ballast and 1 not functioning properly. How long have you had them?

edit: never mind, I just saw your edit on the age.

 

[hankzilla]

1 bad ballast repaired, hmmm perfect manufacturing plant where's that? No one else that I know of has had issues with them and there quite popular right now.

Which bulb set are going with? 12K's? which I initially ran look great, but the par ratings are low and what matters the most is that a lot of users like the color, but the growth was slower than bulbs like the 10k which most use with actinic supplementation.

 

[A sea K]

I'm planning on the 12K reeflux without act supplimentation. I'll have some t-5 act but only for dusk to dawn effect. I'll also be using the LB reflectors and as for the reduced par using 12K I'm sure it will be a substantial gain over the current 150 HQI w/PC actinic I'm using now. I'm quite concerned about acclimation and this is why I'm curious about the dimmable ballast.

 

[JRaquatics]

I have had mine since November of 2007. Best ballast I have owned yet and very comparable to icecap electronic ballast IMO.

 

[A sea K]

JR, In your earlier post you said you replaced your bulbs every 6-8 months running a 7hr burn time. If you have a meter do you measure your bulbs output at this point and replace due to reduced par or is this just what works for you based on your own experience? I ask only for my own information as I don't have a meter and will do my replacements on a pre- determined schedule and this will help establish some guidelines for me to follow.

 

[JRaquatics]

A friend of mine actually has a meter. He has yet to come out and test my bulbs after running 6-8 months. I just have always replaced my bulbs within this period, no matter what manufacturer or brand I use. It is just that it has always worked for me.

 

[A sea K]

Well if he ever gets around to it let me know what you find out, It will be usefull info in regards to bulb longevity for those that don't have meters(me). I know it won't be absolute but will give some good indications.

 

[dwl]

I have read opinions that these ballast work best with the ReefLux bulbs, or, at least the CoralVue bulbs.
Have any of you run different brands of bulbs, and if so, what were the results?

Thanks.