If you had a choice with lighting?

[Mgamer20o0]

Results will vary from ballast manufacturer and different bulbs, but here is some data collected on T8's


1X = 40W 1.00%
2X = 54W 1.19%
3X = 63W 1.25%
4X = 69W 1.24%

First number is how much its overdriven, second is actuall watts consumed (inlcuding ballast) and last number is the bulb effeciency converting watts to light. You can see in this example 3X and 4X overdriven bulbs are significantly more effecient than standard bulbs, the downside being thier lifetime will more than likely be shortened. This data is based on Advance REL-4P32-SC ballast and Philips Daylight Delux T8's 6500K (like $3 ea at lowes or HD).

isnt t8 bulbs only 32 watts?

 

[loaches r cool]

First number is how much its overdriven, second is actuall watts consumed (inlcuding ballast) and last number is the bulb effeciency converting watts to light.

Unless your really good your not going to measuring the actuall power of just the bulb, your going to be measuring the draw from the source including what power the ballast consumes. Plus in a 4-bulb ballast if you only have one bulb hooked up I have heard it actually slightly overdrives the bulb, cant confirm that myself though, I always hook everything up.

 

[ErrorS]

I'm not looking at a dual bulb ballast. This is a ballast designed to power HO T8s, HO T5s or CFs.. It's delivering a full 64W to each of the bulbs