Giesemann Infiniti HQI Replacement Ballast?

58Mike · May 23, 2021

Hey folks,

Reposting this thread from General Reef Discussion, hoping to hear some helpful thoughts on the topic....

Thanks for any thoughts you can offer....

Mike

Hi,

Hoping you might be able to help me in locating a replacement HQI ballast for my Giesemann Infiniti 150w/T5 combination fixture.

The 150w Reef Brite HQI ballast on the BRS site appears to have a different type of connection than the ones on the Giesemann. Are others available, or maybe is there a way to wire this to work with the fixture I have? If not, would your folks have any tips on where I might be able to find something like the original HQI ballast/controller? I have attached a couple pictures of what is on the fixture now.

Thanks for any insights you might be able to offer….

laverda · May 23, 2021

You might check with Coral View.

58Mike · May 23, 2021

Thanks for the response, much appreciated.

I actually already checked with them based on a tip from BRS customer support, but someone there just sent a link to a 400w Icecap ballast they carry...don't think that's going to work for me.

Any one else have thoughts to share...?

oreo54 · May 24, 2021

Write to some suppliers overseas.

Giesemann Archives - Sewatec A.E.

www.sewatec.com

Maybe they can at least verify if they are still available and available in us voltage.
Or go to the source

Spare parts

shop.giesemann.de

58Mike · May 27, 2021

No luck, checked on their site and exchanged email with Giesemann customer service. Ballast no longer available for US market. May have to try something else....

zalick · May 27, 2021

@A. grandis might have some insight for you.

jda · May 27, 2021

Hamilton has m81 equivalent ballasts, or whatever the spec is for 150w HQI. You will need to wire on new connectors to anything, so get ready for that.

A. grandis · May 27, 2021

zalick said:
@A. grandis might have some insight for you.

jda said:
Hamilton has m81 equivalent ballasts, or whatever the spec is for 150w HQI. You will need to wire on new connectors to anything, so get ready for that.

As far as I know the right ballast would be the HQI M81.
Hamilton doesn't have M81, but they've got a HQIM102 150W ballast.
This one should work:

150 Watt Assembled HQI Ballast

If you need change the wiring, you need to change the wiring.

oreo54 · May 27, 2021

Original lists an electronic ballast not magnetic ....???

50W - Electronic MH Ballast - Advance IMH150HBLSM | 1000Bulbs.com

Ideal for retail lighting, this Advance electronic metal halide ballast can be used with downlights. View more high pressure sodium ballasts at 1000Bulbs.com!

www.1000bulbs.com

58Mike · May 27, 2021

Thanks folks, I'll take a look at these and see if this is something I can work out or if it is just time to move on to a whole new fixture. The "External Control Unit" aspect of this unit, which integrates the HQI and T5's in some way, may be more than I can handle. It seems like it is more than just swapping out a generic HQI ballast and possibly wiring in a new connector. These also appear to be sealed units, so I am not sure I can just rip it apart and try to figure it out.

It has been a fantastic light for the 11 years since installed. Only had one issue where I had to swap out a blown T5 ballast on the opposite side. As much as I love the light, it may just be time to look at something new....

A. grandis · May 27, 2021

58Mike said:
Thanks folks, I'll take a look at these and see if this is something I can work out or if it is just time to move on to a whole new fixture. The "External Control Unit" aspect of this unit, which integrates the HQI and T5's in some way, may be more than I can handle. It seems like it is more than just swapping out a generic HQI ballast and possibly wiring in a new connector. These also appear to be sealed units, so I am not sure I can just rip it apart and try to figure it out.

It has been a fantastic light for the 11 years since installed. Only had one issue where I had to swap out a blown T5 ballast on the opposite side. As much as I love the light, it may just be time to look at something new....

You just have to figure out the wires that will connect to the ballasts and cut them to connect. They might have different colors though (like green/yellow, blue, gray or brown) and you will need to be very careful.
This is an example for the correct color code to connect a Giesemann Spectra to an electronic Luxcore ballast as a reference:

Call Hamilton and as for Dave.
He will guide you through the process, if needed.
Not a big deal at all! Keep that Infinity.

zalick · May 27, 2021

I hope you can figure it out. The Infiniti and spectra are the rolls Royce of fixtures IMO.

A. grandis · May 28, 2021

He can also use any 150W electronic ballast with it, like the Luxcore or the Icecap:

IceCap LuXcore 150W-250W Selectable Wattage Metal Halide Electronic Ballast at the best price

CoralVue LuXcore 150W-250W Selectable Wattage Metal Halide Electronic Ballast. LuXcore digital electronic ballasts are the most advanced lighting solution for modern reef keeper. These UL approved selectable ballast offer the hobbyist the luxury of switching between lamp wattage and drive modes...

www.aquacave.com

250w Selectable Wattage Electronic Ballast

Metal Halide has been a staple in reef keeping for many years. Luckily technology is keeping up with one of the older methods of lighting reef tanks. The IceCap Electronic ballasts give the best of all worlds with remarkable energy efficiency compared to all other ballasts on the market today...

www.marinedepot.com

Icecap 250watt Selectable Ballast Halide Ballast | Premium Aquatics

Aquarium & Fish Supplies Superstore. Guaranteed Low Prices. Free Shipping for qualified orders. Aquarium supply for your aquarium fish, saltwater aquariums, freshwater aquariums and ponds. The best aquarium lighting, protein skimmers, aquarium chillers, calcium reactors, aquarium pumps for fish...

premiumaquatics.com

Infinity is an amazing fixture!

58Mike · May 28, 2021

Thanks for all the leads and tips, much appreciated.

Would this one work as well? https://ballastshop.com/powerselect-ps15b90l-150w-slim-line-electronic-metal-halide-ballast/ Not pretty or as versatile as others suggested, but seems like the specs are close and in a nice, small form factor.

I'll need to set this aside for now, will be out of town for a while. But when back will remove the old ballast/controller from the system to see if I can figure out how to wire in a different ballast and keep the controller part working...seems like that just brings one cord down from fixture and breaks out into two cords to separate on timers/reef controller. As suggested, I would really prefer to keep the Infiniti if I can fix it

Again, thanks for taking the time to share your insights....

oreo54 · May 28, 2021

58Mike said:
Thanks for all the leads and tips, much appreciated.

Would this one work as well? https://ballastshop.com/powerselect-ps15b90l-150w-slim-line-electronic-metal-halide-ballast/ Not pretty or as versatile as others suggested, but seems like the specs are close and in a nice, small form factor.

I'll need to set this aside for now, will be out of town for a while. But when back will remove the old ballast/controller from the system to see if I can figure out how to wire in a different ballast and keep the controller part working...seems like that just brings one cord down from fixture and breaks out into two cords to separate on timers/reef controller. As suggested, I would really prefer to keep the Infiniti if I can fix it

Again, thanks for taking the time to share your insights....