Hamilton 2x250W Ballast

[ddhuyn]

Hi,
Will Hamilton PFO 2x250w Type AQ work with HQI bulbs? Has any one try this before?

Thanks
Dung

[PaulErik]

The 250W PFO AQ ballasts come in 3 different models (MH, PS, HQI). The MH (standard metal halide) ballast is electrically not compatible with Double-Ended (DE) HQI lamps. The MH (standard metal halide) ballasts are only designed for probe start Single-Ended (SE) metal halide lamps. Probe start (ANSI M58) lamps are equipped with a starting electrode that is connected to a starting circuit (resistor and bi-metal switch) within the lamp. This makes them self starting lamps. DE HQI lamps are pulse start (none self starting) and require a ballast that is equipped with an external lamp starter / ignitor.