Current 250W HQI Ballast: How Loud????

[Kengar]

I am considering a Current Outer Orbit fixture with 2 X 250 HQI halides (and 4 X 54 T5's). According to the site, "150 watt fixtures feature internal electronic ballast HQI driving system, 250 watt fixtures feature remote fan-cooled magnetic ballast HQI driving systems." (The hardware can be seen at this site. )

I am used to electronic ballasts (IceCap, Blueline) for 250 and 400 watt MH's on earlier tanks I have run, and they were dead quiet. I am concerned as soon as I see that the 250 ballasts on the Current setup are magnetic and fan cooled, to boot (as opposed to the 150's, which are electronic) that they will be LOUD! Does anyone have experience with the Current HQI 250 such that they can comment on this?

Thanks.

 

[buckofive]

i have order the same light it should be here this week. ill let ya know

 

[ariel47]

I thought all of the outer orbit pro have built in fans?

 

[Kengar]

I am referring to the ballast. The ballast is fan cooled (in addition to the fixture itself being fan cooled).

 

[rfequity]

I have this fixture and the ballasts are not loud at all. The fan on the fixture is very high pitched. You could consider switching it out.

 

[buckofive]

hey kengar, just unpacked mine today and set it up. NOISY. at least mine seem to be loud, both the ballast and the built in fan. im already trying to find a electrontic 250 ballast to replace. and the built in fan has to be replaced. other than that it looks good. have to change the halide bulbs it came with but i knew that when i bought it.

 

[Kengar]

Thanks buckofive. I haven't even gotten mine yet and I had already ordered some IceCap electronic ballasts for space spaving and noise concerns. Your post confirms that I've done the right thing.

Re the fans, how difficult do they look to pull out?

 

[ariel47]

no noise issue with mine, going for a week now.