Florescent electronic ballasts

Galt · 10-25-2010, 03:38 PM

I've been playing with florescents as my exclusive lighting source and continue to learn through screwing up. The majority, in fact all of the ones marketed through grow shops and hydro shops on-line that I've seen, use instant on electronic ballasts. These are exactly what they sound like in that they send voltage across both pins and energize all of the lamps in the fixture instantaneously when turned on.

There is another more expensive type called a program ballast, which is also electronic, that is more commonly found in high efficiency commercial fixtures. These ballasts energize in a kind of phased sequence which results in a much more extended bulb life. If you can believe a salesman, as much as 30-40% longer life at the lamps' rated output. Their energy consumption is rated slightly higher and their heat output appears to be very similar to the instant on's although I have not tested one against the other directly as yet.

There are several companies now marketing 8, 10 and even 12 tube H.O. T-5 fixtures that are marketed to growers and none that I have seen use the program ballasts. The 8 tube varieties are available from commercial warehouse lighting sources and depending on your connections can be had for a reasonably comparable price to the grower versions.

The commercial lighting suppliers also carry a much wider variety of color temperature lamps than the grow shops, aside from not being directly associated with the nefarious outlaw farmer types (for the more careful and paranoid amongst us). These fixtures are also a fairly commonly used item in the aquarium world, so should you have need of a story to go along with your inquiry on availability from a supplier being an aquarium enthusiast might provide a good cover.

The commercial fixtures also lend themselves a bit more readily to remote ballast mounting if residual heat, space or stealth is a concern. As always, since even 110 VAC can kill, don't screw with wiring these unless you have a good grasp of basic electrical work and safety before hand.

Dandaweedman · 10-25-2010, 05:29 PM

Florescent lamps are rated for about 5 years use normally aren't they?
It sounds good, but is the extra money worth it? I am wondering if the lamp would degrade slower because of the stepping ballast?
And I don't even know at what speed they degrade. I used CFLs for veg and the bulbs were in there for about 4 years before we upgraded.
Only 2/10 ever got changed and I never noticed a slow down in veg growth.

Commercial lighting around here is 347 volts or something to that effect, including all the new T-5s.
Although 110 can kill you, after getting zapped excessively you don't even flinch.

Hope something in that ^ is apropos to the thread

Galt · 10-26-2010, 06:00 AM

I'll see if I can get more empirical data from one of the suppliers to help quantify a more factual cost analysis.

The reason that I mention the lamp life was actually in response to other postings that I've seen here where floro's were devalued because of their lamp life and the degrading of their output over time (relative to other lighting options). Generally I'm guilty of not bothering to monitor the actual output degradation and like most just replace lamps when they cease working altogether. Guess it's time to invest in a new meter.

Found this site when looking for PAR meters. They have some interesting information on a variety of pro grow issues and sell everything from light meters to weather data logging stations. Some pretty cool tools for the grower with a Congressional budget ceiling.

I don't own or use any of their stuff so this is not intended as a recommendation, strictly informational, but I do see a couple of things that I might ask Santa for.

Spectrum Techologies, Inc. | Weather and Environmental Monitoring Solutions

farmergiles · 10-26-2010, 07:13 AM

Cool toys for sale on that site. The prices

.

Galt · 10-26-2010, 07:40 AM

Hey it's only money...and at the rate we're going the scrip that we use in the States and the EU isn't going to be fit to wipe your arse with soon enough. Spend like you're gonna die tomorrow 'cuz a dollar today isn't going to be worth a quarter tomorrow. Just read that the U.S. dollar has lost 95% of its value since the Federal Reserve took control of the country and its currency. That happened to Europe a long time ago and was just consolidated with the adoption of the Euro.

The new economy is going to depend on things of substance and real value...like stuff that people can do or build for others that they can't do or build for themselves. That just might include those that can grow as well. Weed is already a commodity of sorts, and when currency looses value commodities are all that's left.

Consider your grow gear an investment in our future Dystopia.

Dandaweedman · 10-26-2010, 08:13 AM

Damn, Talk about tools for fine tuning your grows. Thanks for that link.
The prices are fairly steep, but if you like quality gear... and look at the money some people will put out for tiny gains.

Christmas hey FG? Might be a good thing to ask for. Cept I want either a new camera (umm yeah) or a usb microscope

A real one (yeah right again).

The information on the degradation of floro light would be interesting, can't say as I have ever seen it posted anywhere myself.
I would assume places like verilux would have it as they tout their floros as excellent for growing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by verilux

Engineered to reproduce all the colors and balance of natural light, Verilux full spectrum fluorescent tubes feature Trucolite Phosphor Technology™, a unique blend of earth phosphors that filter out any imbalance to increase contrast, show true color and reduce glare. The fluorescent tubes, like energy efficient light bulbs, are environmentally conscious and will help you reduce your carbon footprint. Utilize fluorescent lighting in your home to save hundreds of dollars a year on electricity. Unlike traditional light bulbs, full spectrum light bulbs bring Natural Spectrum Daylight indoors, and are long lasting and energy efficient. All fluorescent lights are available in T8 and T12 diameters in most standard lengths for your fluorescent light fixture. Depending on the T8 or T12 you can accumulate anywhere from 14000 – 26000 hours of fluorescent lighting. All of these full spectrum light bulbs are available in 15 to 40 Watts and can be used in a fluorescent light fixture at home or work. Verilux fluorescent lights and energy efficient light bulbs will reduce eyestrain and fatigue and help you enjoy what you do for longer periods of time.

583 days to 1083 days of 12/12 veg. I guess that is realistic.
The 600 HPS I have been using lose 5-% of the foot-candle power in 2 years. I use a meter that shows measurements in foot-candles.
Useful only because I get a reference point to work with.

Galt · 10-26-2010, 08:55 AM

The reason I couched my comment's accuracy is, as I mentioned, due to the fact that the information was imparted by a salesman. Salesman is a word that derives from the Latin salismander, which literally translates to "sketchy dodger". What can I say...I've been lied to before.

Anytime that someone selling any kind of product starts invoking the "carbon foot print" guise I also get tight in the sphincter. What's so earth friendly about lamps with mercury in them that vaporizes when they break? I haven't bothered to check yet but somethin' tells me that the lamps are probably made where 99% of all floro's are made now, that bastion of earth loving industry and creators of the great toxic Asian Dust cloud, Red China...but I digress.

The lighting info PDF on that site is pretty cool too. And at least that part's priced right...it's free.

10-25-2010, 03:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Galt Si fecisti nega! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: In the Great State of Denial Posts: 565 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 304 Thanked 316 Times in 208 Posts	Florescent electronic ballasts I've been playing with florescents as my exclusive lighting source and continue to learn through screwing up. The majority, in fact all of the ones marketed through grow shops and hydro shops on-line that I've seen, use instant on electronic ballasts. These are exactly what they sound like in that they send voltage across both pins and energize all of the lamps in the fixture instantaneously when turned on. There is another more expensive type called a program ballast, which is also electronic, that is more commonly found in high efficiency commercial fixtures. These ballasts energize in a kind of phased sequence which results in a much more extended bulb life. If you can believe a salesman, as much as 30-40% longer life at the lamps' rated output. Their energy consumption is rated slightly higher and their heat output appears to be very similar to the instant on's although I have not tested one against the other directly as yet. There are several companies now marketing 8, 10 and even 12 tube H.O. T-5 fixtures that are marketed to growers and none that I have seen use the program ballasts. The 8 tube varieties are available from commercial warehouse lighting sources and depending on your connections can be had for a reasonably comparable price to the grower versions. The commercial lighting suppliers also carry a much wider variety of color temperature lamps than the grow shops, aside from not being directly associated with the nefarious outlaw farmer types (for the more careful and paranoid amongst us). These fixtures are also a fairly commonly used item in the aquarium world, so should you have need of a story to go along with your inquiry on availability from a supplier being an aquarium enthusiast might provide a good cover. The commercial fixtures also lend themselves a bit more readily to remote ballast mounting if residual heat, space or stealth is a concern. As always, since even 110 VAC can kill, don't screw with wiring these unless you have a good grasp of basic electrical work and safety before hand. __________________ "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." - Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) _________________ "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." - Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

10-25-2010, 05:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dandaweedman Old School Join Date: May 2004 Location: At the Cabana Posts: 7,407 Thanks: 699 Thanked 760 Times in 613 Posts	Florescent lamps are rated for about 5 years use normally aren't they? It sounds good, but is the extra money worth it? I am wondering if the lamp would degrade slower because of the stepping ballast? And I don't even know at what speed they degrade. I used CFLs for veg and the bulbs were in there for about 4 years before we upgraded. Only 2/10 ever got changed and I never noticed a slow down in veg growth. Commercial lighting around here is 347 volts or something to that effect, including all the new T-5s. Although 110 can kill you, after getting zapped excessively you don't even flinch. Hope something in that ^ is apropos to the thread __________________ Hanging in the Cabana

10-26-2010, 06:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
Galt Si fecisti nega! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: In the Great State of Denial Posts: 565 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 304 Thanked 316 Times in 208 Posts	I'll see if I can get more empirical data from one of the suppliers to help quantify a more factual cost analysis. The reason that I mention the lamp life was actually in response to other postings that I've seen here where floro's were devalued because of their lamp life and the degrading of their output over time (relative to other lighting options). Generally I'm guilty of not bothering to monitor the actual output degradation and like most just replace lamps when they cease working altogether. Guess it's time to invest in a new meter. Found this site when looking for PAR meters. They have some interesting information on a variety of pro grow issues and sell everything from light meters to weather data logging stations. Some pretty cool tools for the grower with a Congressional budget ceiling. I don't own or use any of their stuff so this is not intended as a recommendation, strictly informational, but I do see a couple of things that I might ask Santa for. Spectrum Techologies, Inc. \| Weather and Environmental Monitoring Solutions __________________ "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." - Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) _________________ "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." - Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

10-26-2010, 07:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
farmergiles Yahookan Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sick of the hatred and the lies Posts: 7,779 Thanks: 2,272 Thanked 3,734 Times in 2,546 Posts	Cool toys for sale on that site. The prices . __________________ Cultivate a stoic calmness *Fuck the Monkeys* Every Kind of Vice

10-26-2010, 07:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
Galt Si fecisti nega! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: In the Great State of Denial Posts: 565 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 304 Thanked 316 Times in 208 Posts	Hey it's only money...and at the rate we're going the scrip that we use in the States and the EU isn't going to be fit to wipe your arse with soon enough. Spend like you're gonna die tomorrow 'cuz a dollar today isn't going to be worth a quarter tomorrow. Just read that the U.S. dollar has lost 95% of its value since the Federal Reserve took control of the country and its currency. That happened to Europe a long time ago and was just consolidated with the adoption of the Euro. The new economy is going to depend on things of substance and real value...like stuff that people can do or build for others that they can't do or build for themselves. That just might include those that can grow as well. Weed is already a commodity of sorts, and when currency looses value commodities are all that's left. Consider your grow gear an investment in our future Dystopia. __________________ "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." - Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) _________________ "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." - Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

10-26-2010, 08:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
Galt Si fecisti nega! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: In the Great State of Denial Posts: 565 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 304 Thanked 316 Times in 208 Posts	The reason I couched my comment's accuracy is, as I mentioned, due to the fact that the information was imparted by a salesman. Salesman is a word that derives from the Latin salismander, which literally translates to "sketchy dodger". What can I say...I've been lied to before. Anytime that someone selling any kind of product starts invoking the "carbon foot print" guise I also get tight in the sphincter. What's so earth friendly about lamps with mercury in them that vaporizes when they break? I haven't bothered to check yet but somethin' tells me that the lamps are probably made where 99% of all floro's are made now, that bastion of earth loving industry and creators of the great toxic Asian Dust cloud, Red China...but I digress. The lighting info PDF on that site is pretty cool too. And at least that part's priced right...it's free. __________________ "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." - Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) _________________ "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." - Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

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