*turns on the Bat signal* MH ID Needed

[Gimplar]

Hey everyone...it's me with another question ( i know you guys love having your knowledge tested )

I bought a used tank setup and it came with MH's but the guy didnt know what wattage the bulbs were so heres the info.

It's a PHO Dual ballast with 60 HZ 120v (like all of them) and 10.2 or 102 amps (or something that looks like that) the little sticker on the ballast is kinda smudged from either the ink running or something smudging it, but it isnt very clear and i can barely read the model number of the amps. If anyone knows a website where i can type in the model number and get info on the product, that would be much appreciated. Here are a few pictures of the bulbs, i didnt put a picture of the ballast cause i researched it and all of them look the same and have the same dimensions.

Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated.

Happy reefing,

Nelson

 

[jdieck]

Difficult to tell as the base of the bulb are all the same. By the size of the internal bulb it looks smaller than 250 watter.
The Amps do not make sense 10 is to high and 1 is too low
but there is a ballast ANSI number M102 which is a special Iwasaki-Eye pulse ballast for 150 Watt 2K or 5K bulbs.
Try posting the serial number or manufacturer.

http://www.aquarium-lighting-guide.com/metal_halide_ansi

 

[Gimplar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7795793#post7795793 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdieck

Try posting the serial number or manufacturer.

http://www.aquarium-lighting-guide.com/metal_halide_ansi

For the bulb or the ballast? the ballast is PHO Lighting Inc. As far as the bulb, i didnt see any writing on it, is there a special way to find out for the bulbs?

i looked at the sticker again and the amps looked like 102 i dunno if it was 1.2, 10.2 or 12? im really unsure. i will post a picture of the sticker tomorrow.

 

[BlitzK]

post some pics of the ballast too..

I'm guessing its 175 or 250watt...?

 

[david8956]

I don't think it's 250 watt. This link shows standard PFO 250 watt ballasts amperage at 2.2 - 2.6 amps depending on the bulbs being tested. Also shows photo's of different brand bulbs if you want to try and find a match. (Click on "250 watt metal halide testing)

http://www.cnidarianreef.com/

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7795844#post7795844 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gimplar
For the bulb or the ballast? the ballast is PHO Lighting Inc. As far as the bulb, i didnt see any writing on it, is there a special way to find out for the bulbs?

i looked at the sticker again and the amps looked like 102 i dunno if it was 1.2, 10.2 or 12? im really unsure. i will post a picture of the sticker tomorrow.

Sorry I meant the serial number of the ballast.
By the way PFO do not make ballasts, they make the assembly and put them inside the box. The key is not only to find the wattage but also to find out the type.
Can you open the box and take a look at the ballasts inside, they shall have a part number or some specs typed in them.

Being a dual ballast if the Amperage is for both then at 10.2 the ballast will be taking about 560 watts per bulb which is too high.
if it is 1.2 Amps for each. then it is too low as it will be about 144 which might be close to a 150 watt but still low.
Can you also post the dimensions of the bulb socket?
Most 150 watters are not mogul.
Can you open the box and take a look inside?

Here is PFOs catalog listing all their ballasts types and amperage:
http://www.pfolighting.com/AquariumPgFolder/aqCatVers2.pdf

 

[Gimplar]

Ok, well here are the pictures of the ballast i tried to get every angle and such as well as pics of the sticker. As far as the bulb, i got a pic of the socket with a ruler. However i cant unscrew the screws. They're locked in there tight and i cant even get them to budge. (no socket wrench)

Thanks!

Nelson

 

[jdieck]

My best take it is a model AQ2-175 MH; 175 watts mogul base probe start without ignitor (US Type bulb) 1.8 x2 Amp (1.8 amp each for a total of 3.6 Ampere)

 

[Saliki]

Remember...playing with electricity is dangerous!
Maybe try firing a 400 and work your way down until you get a match.

 

[BlitzK]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7798046#post7798046 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdieck
My best take it is a model AQ2-175 MH; 175 watts mogul base probe start without ignitor (US Type bulb) 1.8 x2 Amp (1.8 amp each for a total of 3.6 Ampere)

I agree with you.. AQ2-175 is probably what it says

 

[Herman G]

it looks like it says 175 in the model number, wich i would take it as a 175 watt ballast. where I work everyone has terrible hand writing, so i have gotten pretty good at decyphering what I call hyroglyiphics! the bulb looks consistant with a 175watt.
just my 2 cents.

 

[tangwang]

just unscrew the aluminum cover and look at what the label reads on the core
(with the ballast unplugged, by the way)




Marr

 

[daywn]

looks like my old dual 175 ballest.

 

[DaddyJax]

It is a dual 175w pfo ballast!! I have that same exact one.

 

[Gimplar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7798825#post7798825 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tangwang
just unscrew the aluminum cover and look at what the label reads on the core
(with the ballast unplugged, by the way)




Marr

BTW tangwang, the GSP's are doing great as well as those zoo frags! thakns a bunch for them! but anyways, do you guys think i should try and unscrew this beast? i couldnt get it opened earlier, but what happens if i screw in a 175 bulb and it's a 250 watt ballast? (please dont say my apartment explodes)