Comments on Icecap's new 250W HQI ballast?

[Captain Clam]

I haven't been able to find all that much about this ballast from doing searches. I am considering 3 of these with AB 10K bulbs to light my 6' 135G tank. Having never used MH before I am stuck with gathering all my information second hand. If any of you have tried this ballast and have opinions either way I would appreciate hearing them. My main concerns are use of space and ballast efficiency. I am comfortable that the 250W bulbs will be plenty of light for me so I am not as concerned about squeezing every last photon out of them. I would rather they last longer than be overdriven. Thanks

[jsaltzgi]

I really like that ballast with the AB 10000K DE bulb. I'm sure it does a great job with the SE bulbs, too. It burned the bulbs whiter (less yellow) than the HelloLights electronic ballast. Plus, you can see a difference in the startup with the soft pulse start that IceCap uses.

James

[golfish]

James,
Does the new HQI IC ballast get hot? Is it potted? Do you know if IC makes the ballast or is it imported\made from\in Korea or China?

[jsaltzgi]

The ballasts do get warm, definitely not hot like a magnetic ballast. It does seem a little less warm to tthe touch than the LN ballasts. IceCap says it runs a little warmer than the 660 VHO. I haven't taken one apart, but I believe reading somewhere that they are NOT potted in epoxy like the LN and Blueline E-ballast.

The new HQI ballasts are made in Korea. ASH said in some posting somewhere (I looked for the post for a while, but have to head out for work) that the manufacturer is a company that they got to know very well before even considering their ballasts.

All in all, I really like them (the new ballasts and IceCap in general). I hope this helps!!

James