Ext 112 ushio 400 wat MH System.

[Reefering1]

Interesting as from what I read euro/asian markets run on 60hz, while the US runs 50hz.

US electric grid is definately 60 hertz...

 

[X-37B]

Well the grow ballast is 60hz. I dont think it matters but will look it up. Going up means the light cycles 60 times a minute instead of 50. Slower frequencies cause the issue.
Looks like it could use a new ballast anyway, lol.

 

[Reefering1]

Funny.
I buy 2 M59's in the US and they are both 60hz. Faster cycling rate might not matter. A 50hz M59 might flicker in europe.
Looks like I will be buying 2 more of the correct ones off ebay.
I wonder why they would even have them in the US.
Im now going to take apart a watt halide grow ballast and check it, stay tuned, lol.
It has never been open.

The ballasts consist of metal plates with wire wrapped around both ends. The power comes in on one side and makes the plate vibrate back and forth. On the other side of the ballast, the movement of the plates induces a electrical current in the wires wrapped around it- and that goes to the bulb. So 60hz means it oscillates 60 times per second. 50hz will oscillate 50 times per second. So the 60hz ballast will have lower output on 50hz. And 50hz ballast will produce more in a 60hz power supply.

 

[X-37B]

US electric grid is definately 60 hertz...

Yea I had it backwards, lol. Thanks!
Shows you how much I know about electrical devices.

 

[X-37B]

So im going to replace the old ballast with a new one. It works but its seen better days. Wet environments really due a number on ballast cores.
Plus who knows how old this thing is.

 

[Yanir34]

So im going to replace the old ballast with a new one. It works but its seen better days. Wet environments really due a number on ballast cores.
Plus who knows how old this thing is.

Yep ,it needs to be replaced...

 

[Reefering1]

So im going to replace the old ballast with a new one. It works but its seen better days. Wet environments really due a number on ballast cores.
Plus who knows how old this thing is.

Wow,I haven't seen one with so much surface rust! I typically judge the ballast by the color of the wire wrapping the plates and the paper in-between. If its tan and good looking-its "new". If it looks burnt then its worn out. But yea,I don't like the look of all that rust..

 

[X-37B]

Wow,I haven't seen one with so much surface rust! I typically judge the ballast by the color of the wire wrapping the plates and the paper in-between. If its tan and good looking-its "new". If it looks burnt then its worn out. But yea,I don't like the look of all that rust..

Got her open. It fired a bulb, lol. The outside was in better shape than any of my other retrofits.
I will get it wired up later today with a pic.

 

[X-37B]

New vs old.

 

[Reefering1]

New vs old.

That rusty one was in use? How many watts did it pull? The new one "must" work better..

 

[X-37B]

That rusty one was in use? How many watts did it pull? The new one "must" work better..

It was pulling 425 same as the new M59. This one has seen alot of use considering most growers run 12-18hr, autoflowers can run 24hrs so its been well seasoned, lol. The ballast box was worth the $50 I paid for the unit.

 

[Yanir34]

Guys I'm really impressed with the Aqua bright solutions 400W bulbs !
I waiting for my giessmann spectra (still on its way from Germany...)

Meanwhile I thought that I will be good idea to test the Lumatek electronic ballast , with ABS 400w 10,000k bulb in simple horticultural reflector , because the giessmann bulbs have their own HQI magnetic ballast.

From the first minutes after connecting the power plug of the Lumatek ballast , Its very quiet ! It also have some "soft start" of the bulb , and it takes approximately 10 minutes to reach full intensity of the bulb.

Yes , I know that the bulb should run 100 hours to burn on (about 8 hours per day , for 13 days) ,and that the color might change ....

But I can tell you guys ....the overall appearance of this bulb is fantastic!!
It's white with some blue rays...

 

[Reefering1]

Guys I'm really impressed with the Aqua bright solutions 400W bulbs !
I waiting for my giessmann spectra (still on its way from Germany...)

Meanwhile I thought that I will be good idea to test the Lumatek electronic ballast , with ABS 400w 10,000k bulb in simple horticultural reflector , because the giessmann bulbs have their own HQI magnetic ballast.

From the first minutes after connecting the power plug of the Lumatek ballast , Its very quiet ! It also have some "soft start" of the bulb , and it takes approximately 10 minutes to reach full intensity of the bulb.

Yes , I know that the bulb should run 100 hours to burn on (about 8 hours per day , for 13 days) ,and that the color might change ....

But I can tell you guys ....the overall appearance of this bulb is fantastic!!
It's white with some blue rays...

Can't wait to see the halides over your tank. Will it be on your current tank or starting a new one?

 

[Yanir34]

Can't wait to see the halides over your tank. Will it be on your current tank or starting a new one?

I sold the old one ,it will over new one

 

[Yanir34]

I moved the reflector to the balcony (waited 15 minutes before start on again)
It's like the sun !

 

[Yanir34]

I hope that 2×400w won't be overkill to the new tank

 

[X-37B]

I hope that 2×400w won't be overkill to the new tank

They will be fine my 400 is 14" off the water and its 17" to the bottom. 1.5" racks bring it closer.

 

[X-37B]

Couple pics of the urchins today.
System is 4.5 months old now.
Still just running on kalk.

 

[Yanir34]

They will be fine my 400 is 14" off the water and its 17" to the bottom. 1.5" racks bring it closer.

Oh o.k ...my new tank is 60 cm high , so that should be fine. Thanks !

 

[X-37B]

FTS. Can not get one straght on so this will have to do. No phone filter.
Notice the slimer on the 50g' back wall. Zoom in for a look.