Ballast run radiums

[Tab28]

Will the magnetic ballast run a radium bulb? The unit i am looking at has that ballast standard but can be upgraded to an electric ballast.

 

[143MPCo]

without getting into technical details, short answer would be yes but, driving it to it's full potential is another mater.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

What wattage are you looking to run? There are different types of magnetic ballasts. The 250 watt Radium needs an M80 ballast. The electronic select-a-watt ballasts out there have a setting for running Radiums (HQI). I find that they work well.

 

[Tab28]

Will an electric, not selectable be better than magnetic? The wattage is a 250. The magnetic ballast has no designation to it just magnetic. It is the cebu sun from hamilton.

 

[143MPCo]

I have a cebu but opted to go with the electric and Radium no issues.

 

[d2mini]

The correct ballast for Radiums is the magnetic M80 ballasts. Hamilton makes/sells them.
Anything else will alter the color and life of the Radium bulbs.

 

[Tab28]

I have seen the m80 upgrade. Will that ballast have any issues running other bulbs?

 

[jeremy]

http://hamiltontechnology.com/item/Radium-Cebu-Sun-Systems-with-M80-Ballast-2214

 

[143MPCo]

The correct ballast for Radiums is the magnetic M80 ballasts. Hamilton makes/sells them.
Anything else will alter the color and life of the Radium bulbs.

Dennis, I called and talked to them before placing my order for the cebu, they didn't state that as a concern when I asked about the combo they sold me? Now I'm a little curious!?!?

 

[Mr. Brooks]

I ran two Radiums side by side. One on a select a watt ballast on the HQI setting and the other on a M80 magnetic ballast. I got the same par and the same color. I could see no difference. The only difference I found was that the electronic ballast was drawing less wattage from the wall based on a watt meter. I didn't do a long term test though so I don't know if the electronic ballast would affect the life of the bulb. My guess is no.

The HQI setting on the electronic ballasts is meant to replicate a magnetic M80 ballast. As far as I can tell they do a good job.

 

[dallas reefer]

You could buy my 6' PFO set up. [emoji6]