I got my new lamp. It is for commercial projection use. people use it to replace the

[prime]

Here are the results of the voltage and current testing we did yesterday.

We could only get accurate readings for AC current from the PMA161X and now that ywh has stated that it is an AC ballast it makes sense.

Assumption: the lamps from ywh are in fact 250W AC lamps. ywh has now stated that they are AC.

Test 1: PMA161X + YWH 250W lamp

Input volts            = 244.8 V
Input running current  = 0.68 A
Input start current    = 0.34 A AC
Input W                = 0.68 A x 244.8 V = 166.464 W
Output Volts           = 71.3 V
Output Current         = 2.36 A AC
Output W               = 2.36A x 71.3 v   = 168W

Test 2: 150W eballast + YWH 250W lamp

Input volts            = 243.5 V
Input running current  = 0.60  A
Input W                = 146.1 W
Output Volts           = 70.3  V
Output Current         = 2.19  A AC
Output W               = 153.9 W

Test 3: 150W eballast + HQI-T 150W lamp

Input volts            = 242.8 V
Input running current  = 0.62  A
Input W                = 150.5 W
Output Volts           = 98.6  V
Output Current         = 1.62  A AC
Output W               = 159.7 W

Test 4: HPS 423W magnetic ballast + HQI-TS 400W Daylight (5200K)

Input volts            = 245.1 V
Input running current  = 2.16  A
Input W                = 529   W
Output Volts           = 138.1 V
Output Current         = 3.8   A AC
Output W               = 524   W  (overdriving the lamp!)

I think this shows that the Ushio PMA161X ballast is in fact a 160W AC ballast.


What to do now?
1: Get a 250W electronic ballast so I can use the 250W lamps to there full luminace but shortened life potential.
or
2: Ask ywh to source a 250W DC ballast + 250W DC lamps.

[prime]

measuring the current - switched out of circuit. We could have used the clampmeter we had for AC but we didn't know it was AC then.

[prime]

measuring the current - in circuit once lamp is warmed up and no voltage spike from ballast. lamp is off, just showing how we did it.

[prime]

Here's a pic of the 150W eballast with the clampmeter measuring input current.

[prime]

Testing the 400W magnetic ballast.

[prime]

slodki

I have just ordered a 250W eballast from www.antz.com.au
$AU140 + gst + freight. (my wife is going to kill me )

I'll let you know how it goes.

[slodki]

Prime,

How much do you think the 250w ballast will shorten the life? stated life was at 1000 hours from manufacturer wasnt it? do you think it will be around there, or even shorter?

The 2500 hours mentioned is from the 150w ballast powering the bulb yes?

Thank for all the info so far. Much appreciated!

[18wheeler]

Originally posted by prime


...(my wife is going to kill me )

wait until my wife see the package from YWH appearing on my doorway...

[minoten]

Prime,

I am very impressed with your work so far, you are answering many many questions that have up until now been unanswered.

Keep up the hard work, I appreciate it and find it very informative and I am sure everyone else interested in these bulbs and ballasts agrees with me.

[rth]

Prime, I'll give you a thousand bucks for those ballasts... they're creating energy!

My guess is that the ballast output voltage is not a sine wave but more of a triangle wave and is tricking the meter into thinking that the rms voltage is higher than it actually is. You don't happen to have an o-scope, do you?