I know generally, electronic ballasts run a bit cooler and more efficiently than magnetic ballasts. Does anyone have experience with both, or some good reading on the subject?
magnetic vs. electronic MH ballasts
- Thread starter Sploke
- Start date
The only thing I can offer is that electronic ballasts fire the bulbs at a slighter lower wattage and magnetic's run them slightly higher and magnetics's tend to out last electronics and bulbs should last slightly longer on electronis also. These are the things I was told when checking into MH's
Magnetics also tend to run the bulbs slightly brighter, PAR-wise (in general). There are some bulbs where this isn't true, but you can pretty much bet a magnetic ballast will drive the bulb more brightly.
you dont usually get that annoying hum or buzz with the electronic ones.
Also they are a little cheaper.
Also they are a little cheaper.
Which are cheaper? Most of the ballasts I've found (non-aquaria-specific), the magnetic ones have been cheaper.