Overdrive?

pegasus_67 · 08-24-2006, 11:35 PM

Hi,
Can I use 40 watt balast on 30 watt sylvania grolux for overdrive.

Momotaro · 08-25-2006, 02:16 AM

Give this a read:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/pl...ting-odno.html

Mike

pegasus_67 · 08-25-2006, 11:29 AM

I'v already read this topic. But this topic about 2X, 3X or 4X overdriving. I want to know 1X electronic balast overwatt overdriving. Did you try this?

ercnan · 09-02-2006, 01:15 PM

I have 2 x 3 ft flouros. in the factory fixtures over my 125. I modified them with elec. ballasts designed to drive 4 x 4ft lamps, and am using all the outputs of each ballast on each 3 ft. bulb.
That would equal 4x overdrive on a 4 ft bulb. Maybe a little more on the the 3 fts.

I don't have plants yet, as this is a test of light output vs. lamp life.
They ARE noticeably brighter, as well as warmer to the touch, but so far (about 5 mos. now) they have had no issues other than growing algae in the tank more than at normal output.

By standard fixtures I mean the normal plastic single bulb strip lights that come with tank packages.

As far as your 1x overdrive question, I think its a moot point.
1x is not overdrive, it's normal output. Can you use a 30 watt bulb with a 40 watt ballast ? sure, but it won't be overdriven I don't think.
Most electronis ballasts "sense" the bulb attached to the output and will "compensate" somewhat for a lower wattage bulb by delivering less voltage to the outputs.
Where overdriving comes into play is when you use a multi bulb ballast to drive a single bulb with multiple ballast outputs.

08-24-2006, 11:35 PM	#1
pegasus_67 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Turkey Posts: 5	Overdrive? Hi, Can I use 40 watt balast on 30 watt sylvania grolux for overdrive.

09-02-2006, 01:15 PM	#4
ercnan Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: indiana Posts: 51	I have 2 x 3 ft flouros. in the factory fixtures over my 125. I modified them with elec. ballasts designed to drive 4 x 4ft lamps, and am using all the outputs of each ballast on each 3 ft. bulb. That would equal 4x overdrive on a 4 ft bulb. Maybe a little more on the the 3 fts. I don't have plants yet, as this is a test of light output vs. lamp life. They ARE noticeably brighter, as well as warmer to the touch, but so far (about 5 mos. now) they have had no issues other than growing algae in the tank more than at normal output. By standard fixtures I mean the normal plastic single bulb strip lights that come with tank packages. As far as your 1x overdrive question, I think its a moot point. 1x is not overdrive, it's normal output. Can you use a 30 watt bulb with a 40 watt ballast ? sure, but it won't be overdriven I don't think. Most electronis ballasts "sense" the bulb attached to the output and will "compensate" somewhat for a lower wattage bulb by delivering less voltage to the outputs. Where overdriving comes into play is when you use a multi bulb ballast to drive a single bulb with multiple ballast outputs. __________________ That'll Do Donkey, That'll Do. - Shrek Filstar Pimp #49 125g, 29g Ercnan's Fish

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08-25-2006, 02:16 AM	#2
Momotaro Doesn't like Kool-Aid (View User Tanks) PTrader: (52/100%) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hawthorne, New Jersey Posts: 10,108	Give this a read: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/pl...ting-odno.html Mike

08-25-2006, 11:29 AM	#3
pegasus_67 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Turkey Posts: 5	I'v already read this topic. But this topic about 2X, 3X or 4X overdriving. I want to know 1X electronic balast overwatt overdriving. Did you try this?