80W T5 Ballasts

[vmiller]

What are my options for a true T5 ballast that runs 80W bulbs?

Is there a such thing as a T5 ballast that will run 2 80W bulbs?

Thanks,
Vin

[hahnmeister]

The best ballast for this is actually an Icecap 660. It can run three 80 watt bulbs at 100watts each. That isnt that much over spec really... maybe 6-7 watts. A regular T5, say, a 39 watter, can easily run up to about 46 watts per bulb with proper cooling. If you set up the ratio... that puts an 80 watt T5 bulb at something like 94 watts! So an IC660 running at 300watts is only a slight overdrive on the bulbs. Considering the IC660 can be had for $140-160, and it runs 3 bulbs, its actually very cost effective.

Spec 80watt T5 ballasts arent widely used in the US because they arent very cost effective. Its much easier to do 220v ballasts than it is 110 for T5s. In the EU, there are 2x80watt ballasts, and they are cost effective. In the US though, 80watt ballasts only run one bulb. They cost upwards of $60 per ballast as well. OSRAM/Sylvania, Vossloh Schwabe, Universal, and Advance all make the 1x80watt ballast (well, its just one ballast made in one factory with their different names stamped on the outside)... but they arent cost effective, and as a consequence, not alot are made.

Thus, my suggestion for the IC660.

[coolrock]

A Fulham Workhorse 7 will run 2 x 80w. I just talked to them today about it.

[hahnmeister]

Yeah.... they will run them... right into the ground. No soft-start, no EOL circuit protection. They are not anywhere near as efficient as the spec or icecap ballasts.

[vmiller]

hahnmeister,

What exactly do you mean by cost effective? I'm looking to light a 6' tank with approximately 160W of HO T5. Whether I do two 5' bulbs or four 3' bulbs, I think it will cost me about the same either way. While I was looking at the possibility of having one ballast, I really wouldn't mind having two in order to have the ability to do dawn and dusk.

I can get a 2 x 80 Tek 2 retro for $209 or two hellolights 2 x 39 retros for $190. Either way, I have two ballasts for about the same cost. Actually, the 2 x 80 could be thought of as more cost effective since there's two less bulbs to replace. If I could get two 2 x 39 retros significantly cheaper than the one 2 x 80, then that would be a different story. ;)

If you're wondering why the hell I'm only using 160W, it's going to primarily be a fish only tank with whatever coral I can get away with keeping at that low level of light (which I know won't be much).

[hahnmeister]

A spec electronic 2x54wattT5 ballast costs what? $20-40? A single 80wattT5 ballast costs upwards of $60. An icecap 660 costs $140-160 and can run three 80 watt bulbs. There are tons of used IC660s that you can score for less than $100 as well (I got one for $40). I was just comparing 80watt ballasts. You never said anything about comparing 39watt ballasts... so thats not what I was talking about. Running 3x80wattT5s on spec ballasts would cost $180 or more... so the IC660 is the most cost effective solution for 80watt bulbs.

Long term, the 80 watt bulbs will be more cost effective, as each bulb, no matter 80 or 39 watt, will cost $20-25. So after just a year or two, the 80watters will be more cost effective, as well as up front. You will spend more the ballast, but you will be using 1/2 as many reflectors and endcaps.

[vmiller]

OK, that makes more sense, thanks for clarifying. I'm not sure what 80W ballasts reefgeek includes in their Tek 2 retro kit, but at a pretty good price, they say it's a "true" T5 ballast and not the Workhorse. Also, Advance has a 80W T5 ballast that goes for about $45.

http://www.1000bulbs.com/products.php?cat=F80T5-Fluorescent-Ballast