Does dimming t5s decreases bulb life?

[aandfsoccr04]

With all these new dim able t5/led hybrid fixtures, it had me wondering what the effect dimming has on t5 bulbs. Does anyone have any experience or research they could point me towards to try and figure out if there is any correlation between bulb life and dimming t5 bulbs? Thanks in advance.

 

[reefwiser]

http://www.t5fixtures.com/dimming-fluorescent-lamps/

http://www.zeovit.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-32411.html

 

[aandfsoccr04]

Thanks for your response. Good information in there.

 

[reefwiser]

I know that in using of fluorescent bulb's in a factory setting which is my background as an industrial electrician. That turning off a bulb or having a bulb that is not working at the correct voltage to strike the light will cause the bulb to have a shorter life cycle. We run or MH light 24/7 as they last longer running constantly.

 

[aandfsoccr04]

Thanks for your response. I'm thinking if we run them under the correct voltage it will decrease bulb life.

 

[reefwiser]

Yes you will. An some people don't care about that.

 

[twilliard]

Hi Ed hope all is well!
Is it not true in the instance of lamp ends, that dimming reduces the end voltage which in turn increases the output current inducing more stress on the ballast driving it?

 

[reefwiser]

The tomb stones as we call them really only have issues with vibration. Causing arcing which of coarse doesn't happen much in aquariums.
The bulbs need a certain amount of current to strike the arc that lights the bulb up. The whole dimming thing is for us Human's really its just a show that we feel that we need. An corals could care less. Even spectrum across the whole tank makes T5 a winner.
Missed you at MACNA wish you could have made it. Had long discussions on lighting for 3 days with many old friends.
For my own tank we decided that I should use the Reefbrite MH/LED fixture as it would give me the growth I am use to and the power savings it draws 1.2 amp compared to my Radion of 3.5 amps.

 

[twilliard]

Ya sorry Ed I couldn't make it to MACNA it was bad timing for school.
I have been doing a little digging on reefbrite lights and so far impressed.
It would be a neat test using t5's and one of my icecap ballasts to see if dimming shortens lamp life. Although icecap ballasts already shorten the life.
I will have to reverse engineer their dimming circuit to see what their signal is.

 

[reefwiser]

You would have loved walking to Tullio on ballast's and lighting lots to learn.