PFO or IceCap

[randoma]

Anyone have any real world data comparing the current model IceCap electronic ballasts with PFO non-electronic?

Sanjay's data seems to favor the PFO, but all of his comparisons are with the older model IceCap ballasts.

This is for a 175W setup if that makes any difference...

 

[Liam]

take a look at the lumatek's

i have a couple of them,excellent so far and a five year warranty,and cheaper than the ice caps.

my bad,not available in 175 version,only 250,400 and 1000

 

[Joel A]

I've heard better things about PFO personally... but i'd still go with the better deal they are both great.

 

[randoma]

I've heard better things about PFO personally... but i'd still go with the better deal they are both great.

They're both about the same price - what have you heard better about the PFO?

The Lumateks aren't available in 175's.

 

[Joel A]

nothing to specific to be honest... i wish i had more information but i really don't, just seems to be more preferred by people in the area. I have never heard a bad thing about PFO, where i have heard a few things before about ice caps being "so-so"

You can't go wrong with either in my opinion though. =)

If it means anything im picking up a PFO ballast this week.

 

[randoma]

take a look at the lumatek's

Do you have a watt meter? What's the actual amp draw on the Lumateks? You wouldn't happen to have amp draw for PFO/IceCap in the same setup too?

 

[JRM]

I just had a problem with my pfo not lighting new ushio bulbs. Just changed to xm's and have'nt had a problem.

 

[Richard]

the new Ushio SE need a higher starting voltage (pulse start) HQI style ballast. They did away with the self igniter(SP).

I've been running IC for 6 yrs no problem at all.

 

[Liam]

Do you have a watt meter? What's the actual amp draw on the Lumateks? You wouldn't happen to have amp draw for PFO/IceCap in the same setup too?

i will test it over the weekend for you.
I don't have an icecap to test but that data should be on sanjays site.

 

[Liam]

Here is the data for the 250 lumatek electronic ballast.

Amps start at 1.6 and gradually ramp up to 2.33
Watts 274,the wattage looks great because lumatek claims their ballast runs bulbs 16% brighter than other electronics which seems to be a true claim,unfortunately it is not because the ballast is more efficient than the icecap it just uses more watts to do it.

Personally i will sacrifice the 20 extra watts over the icecap to have an electronic ballst that runs a lighter brighter.

Rumour has it that the new icecap ballasts also run the bulbs brighter so they too may be running at 275 watts now.
I would not be suprised to find that they are the same ballast anyway
(i am talking about the latest icecap version here,not the prior 2 versions)
and they all come out of china or taiwan anyway.

 

[Dave McReeferson]

I have one of the newer IC 250 ballasts, it runs at 249 watts with an XM 10K.