Hqi or MH what the diff

[addiosoms]

Hello my question is one that has prob been asked before but what is the differnce between HQI and MH ballasts. can i go with an electronic ballest and get a dual end socket and run a HQI or does any one have a good link to a DIY HQI. thanks a lot and was wondering if any one has purchased this electronic ballest on ebay and if it is good or could be used for HQI

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...MEWA:PIC&rd=1

Jeremy

 

[hansnfrans]

I believe that the HQI ballasts are electronic and can power both SE and DE bulbs, whereas the magnetic ballasts are only useful for SE bulbs.

If you have the space in your canopy, then use and Electronic HQI ballast to "overdrive" a single ended MH bulb. You'll typically get more PAR out of it, rather than the same ballast powering a HQI double ended MH bulb. You usually only lose approx. 16% of the bulbs useful life when you overdrive the SE bulbs.

Buy an HQI ballast, this way you'll have the option to go either SE or DE. They aren't much more expensive than the magnetic ballasts.

 

[jjjimmy]

Electronic ballasts are not HQI ballasts. HQI ballasts are specific magnetic ballasts (M80 for 250 watt bulbs). The standard ballast for 250 watt bulbs is a M58. All 250 watt ballasts can run all 250 watt bulbs but each one will have a different affect on an individual bulb.

 

[Larry Waughon]

Give Rod a call he will sell you a DIY HQI ballast.

http://www.rods-reef.com/general.php

Larry

 

[Rod Buehler]

HQI ballasts will run both SE and DE lamps (DE lamps are commonly referred to as HQI lamps)

The HQI ballasts puts out the most PAR

regular MH can only run single ended lamps.. Not as much PAR as an HQI ballast.

electronic ballasts can run both SE and DE lamps. They put the least amount of PAR and many say that there is not enough power to properly drive the DE lamps.

I used to have a few electronics running. I have swapped them all out for HQI ballasts except for a few coralvue electronics. The coralvue seems to work pretty good with their Reeflux lamps. It seems that there are always used Icecap ballasts on my shelves due to people swapping them out for HQI ballasts. (anyone looking for used Icecaps )

The only good side to an electronic ballast is that they run a bit cooler. Other that that I can think of no reason that I would ever use another.

25o HQI ballast = (M80)
250 regular ballast = (M58)

400 HQI = (son430)
400 regular = m59

electronics will not overdrive a single ended lamp (underdrive , yes)

HQIs will overdrive a single ended lamp and produce most par on most lamps. The lamp life will be shortened slightly

 

[hansnfrans]

"I believe that the HQI ballasts are electronic"

Whoops! My mistake, sorry addiosoms.