Sola E-SCA00W430 430w HPS Ballast for Radium?

[dcmartinpc]

Has anyone tried this HPS ballast on the 400w Radium?

It looks like it is close to the same spec as the Son Agro ballast.

http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/112391/BS-ESCA00W430.html

I am thinking about picking one up, but I was curious if anyone here had tried it.

Thanks!

Don

[tkeracer619]

Yes. IIRC that is the correct ballast. Please confirm before purchase.

http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/item/Metal-Halide-400-Watt-Assembled-HQI-Ballast-1383

[Jeremy B.]

The Sola ballast would be what you're looking for. The old SonAgro 430 was ANSI Code S145, which is what this one is you're looking at.

The Hamilton ballast is a bit misleading in how they try to sell this. They call it an "HQI" ballast, however it's actually a Pulse Start M135 which is not the same thing as the old PFO and Sunlight Supply 400w HQI (430w SonAgro) ballast.

[alton]

High Pressure Sodium Lamps are different from Metal halide

[Jeremy B.]

Correct, they are, however the 430w HPS ballast is what we've used on the 400w Radium with excellent results since 1999. Anytime you see someone refer to the old PFO 400w HQI or Sunlight Suppy 400w HQI the 430w HPS ballast is what was inside those.

[sirreal63]

Jeremy, how long are the bulbs lasting with that ballast? I know people used to suggest 6 months of usable life with the 400 watt Radium and the 430w HPS ballast. Do you find that to be true?

[dcmartinpc]

Jack,

Yes, this is the ballast that the 400 watt Radium last 6-8 months on since it is being pretty severely overdriven. The "400 Watt Radium" is actually spec'd for 360 watts. Driving it at 430 watts gives it an amazing color and spectrum, but hurts the life.

Don

[dcmartinpc]

BTW Jeremy, the luxcore will be at my house tomorrow :) I did end up finding a Sunlight Supply S430 ballast on eBay for $30, so I picked that up so I will have something to compare the luxcore to. I am going to have quite the stockpile of ballasts when this is all said and done!

Now to cut a hole in the top of my canopy so I can raise my reflector... I figure 6 inches off the water is a bit close for a 400W halide!!

Don

[Jeremy B.]

Agreed, 6 months on the very short side, 8 months on the long side for spectral life when running it on the 430.

Don, let me know what you think when running the Luxcore on the "Super Lumens" setting versus the 430w ballast. And yes, 6" is QUITE CLOSE for a 400w lamp! :)

[dcmartinpc]

Jeremy, I will let you know. I am going to try some manual shots with my DSLR to try and compare the spectrums. Bulb to water will be closer to 14" after I move the reflector tonight.