G
George Pontis
- Jan 1, 1970
- 0
Hi all,
Another question about dimming fluorscent tubes, in particular power compacts.
I recently learned that IceCap (www.icecapinc.com) makes a model 660 ballast that
can fire and run a wide variety of fluorescent tubes. They list configurations
with 2, 3, and 4 tubes including Std, HO, VHO, T8 or T12. Up through 16 feet of
tube and 440 watts total. They also list the ballast as being rated for PC (power
compacts) up through 96 watts per tube, which is typically a 34.1" twin Japanese
tube (Panasonic) with 4 pin square base.
It turns out that this ballast also has dimming capability. A common application
is in aquarium lighting with VHO tubes and a dimmer control that mimics a solar
cycle. The dimming capability is unique in a ballast of this power.
For some reason IceCap says that PC tubes are not dimmable. I have measured them
with an ohmmeter and found that they have filaments of similar resistance to
conventional 48" T8, so it seems like they have at least that similarity. Any
thoughts as to what could make them not suited for a dimming application ?
FWIW, I asked a tech support person at IceCap. He reiterated that they are not
dimmable did not know the reason.
Another question about dimming fluorscent tubes, in particular power compacts.
I recently learned that IceCap (www.icecapinc.com) makes a model 660 ballast that
can fire and run a wide variety of fluorescent tubes. They list configurations
with 2, 3, and 4 tubes including Std, HO, VHO, T8 or T12. Up through 16 feet of
tube and 440 watts total. They also list the ballast as being rated for PC (power
compacts) up through 96 watts per tube, which is typically a 34.1" twin Japanese
tube (Panasonic) with 4 pin square base.
It turns out that this ballast also has dimming capability. A common application
is in aquarium lighting with VHO tubes and a dimmer control that mimics a solar
cycle. The dimming capability is unique in a ballast of this power.
For some reason IceCap says that PC tubes are not dimmable. I have measured them
with an ohmmeter and found that they have filaments of similar resistance to
conventional 48" T8, so it seems like they have at least that similarity. Any
thoughts as to what could make them not suited for a dimming application ?
FWIW, I asked a tech support person at IceCap. He reiterated that they are not
dimmable did not know the reason.