Dimmable Ballast Question

[cyautoman]

I am bit confused on what items I need to buy so that I can dim my single 240V 25W T8 lamp.

I have the GHL ProfiLux Plus II and I think I should get the following:

1 x Single Tube 36W Dimmable T8 Ballast (Catalogue Code: PL-0311)
1 x GHL-Profilux Dimmable Ballast Driver Blank (Catalogue Code: PL-0058)

Are these all I need?

If I get the double tube ballast instead, to have room for future expansion (add the lamp later) can it run with only one lamp connected?

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Hi

yes this is all you need and you can use a dual ballast

 

[Matthias Gross]

yes, but I am not sure if the ballast manufacturer (Osram) allows to use 36W ballasts for 25W ballasts -> better check this on their web-site.

A double ballast must be operated with 2 tubes.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Dang!! Wrong again

 

[Harry_Fish]

Re: Dimmable Ballast Question

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13971432#post13971432 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cyautoman
I am bit confused on what items I need to buy so that I can dim my single 240V 25W T8 lamp.

I have the GHL ProfiLux Plus II and I think I should get the following:

1 x Single Tube 36W Dimmable T8 Ballast (Catalogue Code: PL-0311)
1 x GHL-Profilux Dimmable Ballast Driver Blank (Catalogue Code: PL-0058)

Are these all I need?

If I get the double tube ballast instead, to have room for future expansion (add the lamp later) can it run with only one lamp connected?

What are you running this on???

As Matthais said typically you cannot run a 2 tube ballast
with only 1 tube, they just don't light up either tube.

 

[cyautoman]

O.k then, it is clear that I should not use one tube with a double tube ballast so I will just add a second tube.

As far as the wattage is concerned I checked OSRAM web site and they say "The QUICKTRONIC POWERSENSE ballasts operate linear fluorescent T8 lamps over a 100 to 5 percent dimming range, provide true versatility in controls selection and feature micro-controller technology to offer the industryââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s most adaptable dimming ballast. Compatibility with low-voltage controls, power-line dimmers, any line voltage from 120V to 277V and OCTRON® lamps from 17-watt to 32-watt, provides the flexibility to simplify the specification, purchasing and installation process."

If this is the ballast used by GHL then I guess it will have no problem driving a tube with less wattage than rating provided that it is between 17-32 watt.

 

[Harry_Fish]

I am not sure Hopefully matthais can let you know.

The big thing here is to make sure it is 0-10v control.

It is is 0-10v control than the profilux will dim it.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

GHL do supply a full range of ProfiLux compatible ballasts in 220V which would be available through all the Dealers so you should not have issues with compatibility. Best person to talk to before you purchase would be Matthias.

We are even looking at bringing 220V over to the North American market due to lack of 110V available. At present a lot of behind the scenes activity is going on to bring out a high quality step up transformer system to bridge the gap of non 110V ballast supply.

I have spoken to literally every single main stream ballast manufacturer developer and not one has plans in 09 to launch 110V dimming in anything other than 54w and that includes Dali.

As this is highly important to the development of lighting in North American reef tanks, we are now looking at step up transformers as the only viable options and will have more news on this in the new year.

 

[cyautoman]

I am located in Cyprus and the voltage is 240V (same as the U.K.) European GHL dealers (http://www.ghl-profilux.co.uk/acatalog/Double_Tube_Dimmable_Ballasts.html) offer the PL-0318 Double Tube 36W Dimmable T8 Ballast which I am considering to buy and use with my two 240V Sylvania T8 tubes rated at 25W each.

I am wondering if using a ballast of higher wattage with tubes of lower watage will be o.k.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

always match ballast wattage with tube wattage, under or over driving is not really recommended as this will either shorten the life of the tube or reduce the effectiveness.

 

[Harry_Fish]

What is the length of the bulbs?

I would think you would do better using T5 Bulbs than T8

 

[cyautoman]

The Length is 70cm and a couple of weeks old so I prefer not to waste them.

 

[Harry_Fish]

Yes I can understand that, but in this case I think
the bulbs may be the minor cost in the overall picture.

I just replaced 6 T5 Bulbs since I had a couple go bad,
and I wanted to update them all to nicer bulbs.

I picked 6 nice ones and now my tank looks great.

 

[cyautoman]

I decided to order the 36W dimmable ballast and try it out with my exisiting 25W tube and see how it goes. My major concern is still not to damage the ballast since its cost is much higher.