New dual arc mogul MH's

[Greg Hiller]

Anyone looking into these? Sanjay apparently is still waiting on some test bulbs from the manufacturer.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...ct_Code=ALS-TA250-10/20&Category_Code=mh-250w

Only one arc fires at a time, and they fire in sequential order. So you could have the bulb putting out 10K for the first 7-8 hours, then 14 or 20K for when you come home at night.

 

[Alex]

That would be sweet.

 

[NateHanson]

This bulb would be fired by a single ballast, but have a switch between bulb and ballast, to control which arc is lit?

Is the primary advantage to save space in the hood? If the bulbs and ballasts were less than twice the cost of ordinary ones then I guess you'd save money on the purchase as well.

On the other hand, you'd have to replace your actinics and white at the same time, even though you may only have half the hours on your actinic arc.

Interesting idea anyways. Let us know what you hear about them Greg.

 

[JohnK]

I don't get these things. Only one filiment fires at a time? How is it controlled which one at what time?

I need to see this to understand it??

 

[madcow]

John from my understanding when the ballast is turned off/on the other arc fires.

 

[Greg Hiller]

Madcow has it right I believe.

>On the other hand, you'd have to replace your actinics and white at the same time, even though you may only have half the hours on your actinic arc. <

I guess it depends upon what you are trying to do. If you know that your 10K lasts 2X as long as your 20K you could run the 10K for 2/3 of the day (before you get home) and the 20K for the last 1/3 of the day (when you are home).

 

[naturebatslast]

Just found this from last year...
"Twin arc tube lamps are also available which extend lamp life
and provide more rapid hot restarting. However as the arc tubes are off the lamp
central axis this may alter the light output and distribution in some luminaires.
Low wattage ILCOS SM and SH lamps operate at a higher sodium pressure. They are
designed for display lighting and have significantly better colour rendering (CRI
85/Group 1B) but with reduced efficacy and life."
From http://www.lightingresourceforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=83

 

[Psychographic]

John from my understanding when the ballast is turned off/on the other arc fires.

Is there a time frame in which this needs to happen? If not, and say the bulb is 10k/20k, would'nt it fire every other day at a different spectrum?

 

[stingythingy45]

http://www.reefbuilders.com/2009/04...p-advanced-lighting-solutions-close-personal/

 

[stingythingy45]

Is there a time frame in which this needs to happen? If not, and say the bulb is 10k/20k, would'nt it fire every other day at a different spectrum?

I would imagine you could do that.
Or most would probably run the 10K for the first 4-6 hrs.And then have the lights shut down and turn back on for the 20K viewing just before lights out.
Kind of like a nice dawn effect or viewing the tank under nice florescence that the 20K would bring out when home from work.