x2 600w bulbs 1000w ballast

polyarcturus

Well-Known Member
If I wire in x2 600w ignitors I should in theory be able to run x2 600 hps. It would be nice to have a switch for this, 1000w or x2 600?

If a 1000w ignitor is used the most likely down side is shortened bulb life. But there would be other potential damage to ballast or cap.

Yes bulbs would not be operating at full capacity thus spectrum is effected.

So why are sunpulse splitters? For pulse strike only? Is it because these bulbs are superior in design and it is within tolerances?

If one didn't want to rewire ballast, couldn't a splitter be make with some type of resister to help handle and create more even draw. This would work with digital ballast.(with digital ballast you can almost drive bulb at full capacity. At least those with overdrive function.)

Then on top of that there should be no needed mods to run x2 600w mh off 1000w mh ballast requirement is that an ignitor is not in the circuit. You can run mh bulbs in,hps ballast. But it does shorten bulb life as it constantly attempts to ignite bulb.)
 

polyarcturus

Well-Known Member
Also ideas like x4 250 or any number of lower wattage should be avoided. These aren't led diodes. In principal a device only draws as much power as it is designed to alot. But unlike less manufacturing process of bulbs is less accurate, no bulb will ever draw the same. In theory mh bulbs would be better suited for this purpose, because it would be difficult to maintaining equal ignition draw in such numbers. The issue with my on the other hand is voltage drop.
 

polyarcturus

Well-Known Member
So in theory, if I get x2 600w bulbs l, hps if rewire and or build a special splitter. Or mh, use mh ballast, or digital or switchable ballast in mh position. Then I could run x2 600w on 1kw ballast safely?

Digital ballast would need special splitter with a resistor in theory. This splitter would also work for mag ballast too.
 

polyarcturus

Well-Known Member
If there's an electrician in the house straighten me out.

Basically had to write that out so I could make sure I had my facts straight.

My question is simple. Seems the answer is complex.

Can x2 600w bulbs be powered by x1 1k ballast safely?
And
How would One best alter the electrical current to keep values within acceptable tolerance?(what's the most universal option persay and the most efficient)
 

polyarcturus

Well-Known Member
r. In ballasts that control two or more lamps, line-frequency ballasts commonly use different phase relationships between the multiple lamps. This not only mitigates the flicker of the individual lamps, it also helps maintain a high power factor. These ballasts are often called lead-lag ballasts because the current in one lamp leads the mains phase and the current in the other lamp lags the mains phase.

From wiki. Interesting.

Also on a side note as something on wiki also made me think about this. If you dim you digital ballast does it draw less watts?

Beyond that digital ballast would be the safest to operate multiple bulbs on, because the state of electricity. This leans on my point earlier digital ballast are more akin to led principles and operations
 

polyarcturus

Well-Known Member
Well unfortunately my understanding was a little off and it a little more complicated than I had even thought. As far as electrical theory goes.

But it can be done. Splitter has to reduce current and increase frequency, while maintaining voltage.

Several way to do this.

In electric ballasts it's even more complex, but it can also be done, but features in its programming, and potentially the circuitry work of the device would have to be taken into account.

In the end it has nothing to do with ignitor. 600w ups bulbs can more than likely handle 1k ignition, and pulse strike, with very little worry.
 
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