mh light ballast

[metalmagiccusto]

why should i buy an electronic ballast over a magnetic one what are the addvantages?

 

[rexdenton]

better electrical efficiency, work with both probe and pulse starting bulbs, less heat generated...and I am pretty sure they are lighter weight. Spectral quality of bulbs today is (generally) being indexed using electronic ballasts as well.

I have and am still using magnetic M59's now. They are fine (if not state of the art...)

 

[rdelong]

I agree with the discussion above. I would note the a CWA (Constant Wattage Autotransformer) M59 Ballast is pretty darn efficient also. I have always run Core and Coil Ballasts because I don't see enough benefit from the electronic ballasts to justify the cost difference. I should note that I bought Advance ballasts when I found them cheap on eBay and built my own enclosure. A dual 400W ballast total cost was $114

 

[metalmagiccusto]

see thats y i wondered y because i wouldnt think that it would cost that much less in electricity.

 

[kstallbe]

Also, and this is a biggy, there is a much wider bulb selection available if you use an electronic ballast.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/index.php
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting
http://www.aquarium-lighting-guide.com/metal-halide-ansi

 

[reefscape15]

I just made a 250watt mh with mag ballast. It is a little hotter, a little less efficiant, a little more noisy, but i got that one, a 400w and 2 175w's for free so it would take a long time for me to see enough electrical use savings to justify buying electronic ballast