I understand that a special dimmable ballast is required in order to dimm T5HO bulbs. Will these work with any T5HO bulb? And how is the efficiency; will the system consume less power when it is dimmed? Are there any preferable brands for dimmable ballasts?
There are 2 styles of ballasts that are dimmable.
1) 1-10V input. (could be 1-12V even.... dont recall exactly)
These have a constand input of 110V + a wire input that is 1-10V.
You vary the 1-10V input and this varies the putput of the light.
On a controller this requires a special card with the variable output to adjust the lighting.
2) Variable 110V input
This type you just vary the 110V input, like you do with a dimmer switch for your lights at home.
On a controller this requires a special powerbar that changes the total input to the light.
I have 2 of the second type here actually although not currently in use as I am waiting on an ATI dimmable light that I have special ordered already equiped to hook up directly to my GHL :)
You can use standard bulbs when you have a dimmable ballast, you should see less power consumption and longer life on the bulbs as they are being under driven.
Quote from: Stussi613 on March 11, 2010, 12:09:22 AM
You can use standard bulbs when you have a dimmable ballast, you should see less power consumption and longer life on the bulbs as they are being under driven.
Thanks! I read up a bit on it and found out the the same.
As for brands there is the Advanced Mark 7 and the Advanced Mark 10.
I am not running any dimmable T5's at the moment so I can say first hand if it will reduce the power usage, but if you decide to setup up I one of those power meters if you would like to borrow it to see how much power is actually being used.
I am thinking of a dimmable ballast with DALI interface. The model I am looking at is SYLVANIA QUICKTRONIC DALI T5HO (http://assets.sylvania.com/assets/documents/PIB_Dali_T5HO.09f9f752-e5d3-4a29-a20c-130b5a7f34c7.pdf).
Does anyone have any experience with these?