Hqi dimmable ballast with profilux

[apañero]

Hi, I would like to know if it´s possible to connect a standard HQI dimmable ballast to the dimmable power sockets of the profilux.

I would like to control the illumination with the profilux unit, but I´m not sure If my dimmable hqi ballast will work with it. ¿Is there any special requirement for the ballast? I don´t have the dimmable ballast yet because I need to know the requirements for any ballast first. (at this time, i´m thinking in a coralvue 250w dimmable one).

Thanks a lot.

 

[Doahh]

The coralvue has a knob... not digitally dimmable. And it only knocks the total intensity down 25% at the sacrifice of the bulb

 

[apañero]

And which one do you recommend me instead, to use it with the Profilux?

thanks man.

 

[Doahh]

If you want dimmable... you should really use T5 bulbs. No current Metal Halide ballasts can dim using a 1-10v signal. They kill the bulbs prematurely. T5's are easily dimmed and you can get a nice sleek fixture like the ATI Powermodule

 

[sedor]

Best we can get with halides is the sunrise effect when the bulbs are firing up

 

[apañero]

T5 can be dimmed with the 1-10V signal? What type of signal does the MH ballast need?

My problem is that I have a cube (27.6" X 23.6" X 23.6") 66g and I can only use 24W T5 because of the dimensions, so I need at least 8 or 10 tubes, which is too much money per year (8/10 tubes per 10/12 months...) so HQI lighting is best for my pocket (and for the depth).

I was thinking in only one 250W HQI with a lumenbright reflector and 2x24W T5 (there is no enough space for more at the top). And I was going to use the HQI behind 150W and 250W. But if I can´t dimm the HQI, I could try with only one 150W HQI not dimmable and 4x24W dimmable T5 connected to the profilux. ¿What do you think?

Thanksss.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

contact info@faunmarin.de they can supply you a GHL dimmable ready T5 24w fixture, or you can get the I bars from GHL.

 

[Antipodes]

My problem is that I have a cube (27.6" X 23.6" X 23.6") 66g and I can only use 24W T5 because of the dimensions, so I need at least 8 or 10 tubes, which is too much money per year (8/10 tubes per 10/12 months...) so HQI lighting is best for my pocket (and for the depth).
Thanksss. [/B]

Have you considered LED, I know nano-reef.com has a lot of information on building LED fittings and your tank would be ideal for something like that. You can also make it fully dimable by the profilux!

 

[Antipodes]

That last post was meant to read nano-reef dot com.

 

[Doahh]

There is not a single Metal Halide ballast that can be dimmed with ANY signal.
I say use 2-6 T5's on each side of the MH reflector and dim those up in the morning to have the MH come on for 4 hours and than have them dim back down.

 

[jdrabek]

Try Sfiligoi.

 

[chiefzod]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15665727#post15665727 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdrabek
Try Sfiligoi.

No way to control them from the Profilux though.

 

[apañero]

Yes, I´ve seen the ACLS Sfiligoi live and it´s awesome, but also its prize. I was thinking in something much more cheaper. I´m already a student and I don´t have enough money yet...

LED is also great, but it´s a little bit "new" and very expensive. Of course it´s the future, but it´s not for me now.

So I think that i will be using 2x24W dimmable T5 at each side of the HQI reflector (there is no space for more) and it could be cool.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

I would then suggest contacting your GHL dealer and getting the 24w dimmable T5 I bar from GHL, this is your cheapest and best ready made option

 

[apañero]

What things do I exactly need to buy?
I have seen that there are several options:

- GHL-Profilux Dimmable Ballast Driver 1-10v to connect an external T5 dimmable ballast(s).

- AC dimming with the dimmable powerbar

- Dali dimming. ¿Possible with profilux?

I want to connect my own t5 dimmable ballast and tubes to the profilux. Which option is the best? What do I need?

Thanks a lot.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

This depends on what dimmable balast you have, I am going to assume 1-10V dimmable

In this case you either need a simple junction such as LBF-AP box

This creates the interface from the ballast to the ProfiLux

Here are all the options available please click on each one for explanation

 

[jamesdawson]

Hi Apanero,

If you are going to buy new dimmable T5 lighting parts and you are in Europe then It would be way better and probably cheaper to get Dali ballasts and a Profilux Dali card instead of 1-10v dimmable ballasts and and the LBF-AP in my opinion.

James

 

[apañero]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15721515#post15721515 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AQD_ottawa
This depends on what dimmable balast you have, I am going to assume 1-10V dimmable

In this case you either need a simple junction such as LBF-AP box

This creates the interface from the ballast to the ProfiLux

Here are all the options available please click on each one for explanation

Thanks AQD_ottawa, but I don´t see the links/options...

jamesdawson, yes, I´m going to buy all T5 lighting parts (and also the Profilux ) But what about the standard AC conection? Standard dimmable ballast + dimmable AC powerbar?

 

[jamesdawson]

Apanero,

With Dali its less expensive since all you will need are Dali T5 ballasts and the Profilux Dali Expansion card (plus the bulbs, encaps, reflectors, and wire of course).

Dali also is far more expandable and controllable then going with 1-10v dimmable.

James

 

[cagri]

Here is a 400 watt MH ballast that can be dimmed to 225 watt. It would be owesome if Profilux can control one of these.

http://www.aquactinics.com/pages/VB400.php