how true is this about MH lighting

[RonD]

was just reading this ad for a switch that keeps your MH ballast on all the time.. swithing from one lamp to another but only using one ballast.



These switchs will make 4 ballst run 8 lights opposite each other. Most often when running 2 flower rooms, you would run your ballast 24 hours, room A 12hrs room B 12hrs. (saving huge in power consumption, this is because whenever your ballast turns off you drain your compacitor.. the major power consumption is when you plug it in and have to recharge your compacitor.. running this set up means your compacitor will never be drained and requires less power for sustainability. power companies watch for power spikes (for illegal grow ops) running ballasts 24hrs eliminates this spike... switches are incased in a custom built aluminum box. These switches are rated for up to 1000 Watt Metal halide (MH) or high pressure sodium (HPS) ballasts and also works with dehumidifiers or air conditioning units and any other 110V powered equipment. custom applications available upon request. please email for any questions

How much do these capacitors actually use to recharge themselves ?

 

[Casw]

Hey I know some hobbyists keeping reef species call themselves reefers but I think you're in the wrong forum

 

[RonD]

No not at all. I run two 400w halides over my tank and if there is a way to cut power consumption down, I am all over it. This struck me as something that may be worth while exploring. Maybe not running more lamps but breaking the current between the bulbs and the ballast and keep the ballast hot all the time. ???