MH lights on 240 Volt 1/2 the power? - Page 2

Reef Geek · 12-26-2003, 12:22 AM

Oh, didnt realize you had 220 right there. Go for it if you want Pro.
I wouldnt do it because 220 hurts more.

brian_e · 12-26-2003, 06:10 AM

i run 220 on my mh and use a hotwater heater timmer to shut them on and off

Pro_builder · 12-28-2003, 08:04 PM

bump I C that Scooterman is on

Scooterman · 12-29-2003, 08:34 AM

Sorry, I missed it last night, I was in and out rather quickly. If you can run separate to a 220 breaker I'd go for it. Start-up on a ballast will be quicker thus extending the life some. Usually you will get better performance on motors & lights etc of that nature on 220, just make sure they are rated for 220vac. Your equipment will also run cooler as your drawing less current at a higher voltage. Think of it as a water hose with a nozzle, if you restrain it some you create higher pressure but less volume, power consumption is the same because even though your using less amperage, your using it at almost twice the rate. As you stated you ballast is rated for these voltages, now you need to check your socket base and bulbs also but I think for the most part you will be ok. Make sure you have proper grounds, end to end & a ground probe in the tank, as low as you can put it, is an extra bonus, if you read ScottT's thread yesterday, that was a good point to make about probes. Oh, and yes the most important part is getting a good Sparky to help you with the wiring!

Pro_builder · 12-29-2003, 08:40 AM

Scott, thanks for the input!!!

12-26-2003, 12:22 AM	#16 (permalink)
Reef Geek Reefus Geekus Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fountain, CO Posts: 325 View Gallery Karma Komment	Oh, didnt realize you had 220 right there. Go for it if you want Pro. I wouldnt do it because 220 hurts more. __________________ Justin Stealth Reefer

12-26-2003, 06:10 AM	#17 (permalink)
brian_e Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: greenville NC Posts: 675 View Gallery Karma Komment	i run 220 on my mh and use a hotwater heater timmer to shut them on and off __________________ Just way to much stuff to list! Brian aka: The Frag Pimp

12-28-2003, 08:04 PM	#18 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	bump I C that Scooterman is on __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

12-29-2003, 08:34 AM	#19 (permalink)
Scooterman Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 1,210 View Gallery Karma Komment	Sorry, I missed it last night, I was in and out rather quickly. If you can run separate to a 220 breaker I'd go for it. Start-up on a ballast will be quicker thus extending the life some. Usually you will get better performance on motors & lights etc of that nature on 220, just make sure they are rated for 220vac. Your equipment will also run cooler as your drawing less current at a higher voltage. Think of it as a water hose with a nozzle, if you restrain it some you create higher pressure but less volume, power consumption is the same because even though your using less amperage, your using it at almost twice the rate. As you stated you ballast is rated for these voltages, now you need to check your socket base and bulbs also but I think for the most part you will be ok. Make sure you have proper grounds, end to end & a ground probe in the tank, as low as you can put it, is an extra bonus, if you read ScottT's thread yesterday, that was a good point to make about probes. Oh, and yes the most important part is getting a good Sparky to help you with the wiring! __________________ Scott Ardoin (Ard-Dwan) Last edited by Scooterman : 12-29-2003 at 08:37 AM.

12-29-2003, 08:40 AM	#20 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Scott, thanks for the input!!! __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

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