best IC ballast for 4x24w T5

[davejnz]

ASH,I need to retro 4-24w's into a friends canopy.I'd like to see her go with the IC660 so she can use it later on down the road when she upgrades to a bigger tank.I've heard different reports on the 660 being hard on the 24w tubes.Is this hearsay/BS or is there actually some truth to this.Would the 440 be a better choice?

[ASH]

For a 4 lamp application the Model 660 would be needed.

The problems you've heard about are when the heat removal is not up to the job of keeping the lamps from getting too hot. I run an IceCap 120MM variable speed fan for my 4 X 54-watt application and get great bulb life. I'd recommend the same here with the probe set far away enough from the fan so that it does speed up when the lamps are running.

Andy

[wbeavers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7296789#post7296789 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ASH
For a 4 lamp application the Model 660 would be needed.

The problems you've heard about are when the heat removal is not up to the job of keeping the lamps from getting too hot. I run an IceCap 120MM variable speed fan for my 4 X 54-watt application and get great bulb life. I'd recommend the same here with the probe set far away enough from the fan so that it does speed up when the lamps are running.

Andy
This is the same way my 3 x 24 T5 HO setup is. I have had good experience with it.

[davejnz]

I use my IC660 to fire a 4x54wT5 setup.I cant remmeber where i saw it,but i had heard that bulb life wasn't as long with the 24w tubes than with the larger tubes when driven by an IC660.

[ASH]

More heat over a smaller area needs lots of venting to work well.
Andy