+Daniel Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Hey guys, I wanted y'alls thoughts on over-driving my T5s. How exactly do I do it? Warnings/suggestions/etc. Thanks, Daniel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derry Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 One warning is a dramatically shorter bulb life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reybeast Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 what is dramatically? 1/2 normal life? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derry Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 That's my understanding. Dig around on RC a bit - I remember some good threads on overdriving not too long ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsea Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Ice Cap electronic ballast will overdrive T5 HO bulbs. I have used an Ice Cap 660 with two VHO Super Actinics and two Daylight Delux (6500K) NO bulbs for an economical mix that is pleasant. The normal output bulbs cost $3.50 each and put out 81W instead of 40W. I verified this with the manufacture as well as with test equipment at my home. With respect to overdriving T5 bulbs, I can not speak from experience. However, in my opinion, the main advantage from T5 was in the reflector technology. When I priced T5 componants (reflectors, end caps and ballasts to overdrive) it was not economical to me. To each his own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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