Anyone have the new 150W Iwasaki bulb installed?

[Ermin]

Just wondering which ballast was used to power the bulb and how do you like the coloration.

I've seen the commercial site with pics of the bulb. I'm looking for hobbists' opinion.

[dattack]

I really want to know which ballast works well also. Especially since I was looking into the 50 K Iwasaki bulbs.

[PerryinCA]

I have been using the new Icecap 150w ballast for the last few weeks and can honestly say its the most stable ballast I have ever used in any situation. Can handle AWESOME line voltage fluctuations, work at 50 or 60 hertz, and has a ton of safety features. I really feel it is the best 150w ballast availabl period. Have only seen others, but I tell you, this thing is bulletproof. Works perfectly EVERY TIME. I will promise satisfaction.

May sound like and ad....but I have never been so completetly impressed by another ballast. Its the best IC ballast I have seen.

I also have no ties to IC. Thier 250 has been shown to be sketchy at times (the old one).....but this thing is amazing.

-Perry

[dattack]

I was wondering what kind of bulb you are running with it and it's appearance.

Thanks

[PerryinCA]

I have been using an Icecap lamp with it. Its a german lamp basically like the BLV (may even be a BLV lamp?). Great color rendition, and VERY bright. I think its a great setup.

-Perry

[Ermin]

Reason I asked is because I'm planning to add two of these 150W to supplement my four 250W Iwasaki. I want to make it as cheap as possible.

The cheapest I've found on core/ coil ballast is around $36 + $10 shipping = $46. An electronic ballast like IC, I'm assuming, would be around $140 each. I know there is savings in electricity, but it would take a long time before the cost is recovered in savings. Even adding the DIY parts all together, it will still cost about half of an electronic ballast.

I'm hoping I can see some photos of it from a hobbist's tank. Maybe I can make up my mind on whether it will be worth it or not for me. It may be too much of a "point-source" light, rather than diffused like VHOs.

Perry,
Does the German bulb you use have a rough useful life of about 8-10 months? Or is it a workhorse like the 6500K Iwasaki? That's another reason why I'm checking out the Iwasaki......since the 6500K will last a long time, I'm assuming the 50000K being the same. If the German bulb is similar, that will open up a brand new field for me to check out.

[PerryinCA]

Last time I spoke to Sanjay, he said that he saw no reason why a double ended HQI lamp couldn't have a useable life of 2 years. That was regarding a 250w though.

-Perry

[Wayne's World]

I too was looking for a cheap electronic ballast and just today received email from
http://www.fulham.com/hhmh.html
I was looking for a 175w and was told they would be available in 30 days with a price of around ""60 usd". I really like that kind of price but unfortunately have already bought a "Reliable Ballast". If the 175 is that inexpensive then the 150 sould be at least equal.