I have acquired some 35/39W CMH lamps, some in 4000K and some in 3000K. I've noticed the Philips 4000K have an indication on the box to use only with electronic ballasts. The 3000K do not have that mention. Now, I have some GE 4000K that do not mention anything about ballast type. I've always used electronic ballasts, but I'm tempted in obtaining a magnetic ballast for a new MH project. I would probably like some 4000K lamp, but what harm would there be in using the Philips ones ?

I have some Philips 4000K in higher wattages, one of which came with a magnetically ballasted 100W flood light, and no problems.

I have use magnetic ballast with out any problems
Philip just telling ya that to use there products

How ever magnetic ballast is rare as hen tooth

OK, thanks. I might just give it a try and see what it does. I do know the 20W needs an electronic ballast as the arc tube needs thermal control which is impossible with magnetic.

Maybe the 'electronic gear only' is there to extend the life of the lamp ?

The "electronic gear only' is to convince you to buy the more expensive Philips/Advance electronic ballast in order to generate revenue for Philips. 35W CMH lamps can operate with magnetic ballasts without any problem.

The Electronic most likely will extend lamp life, for some lamps significantly and for some not. The small lamps usually benefit the most from Electronic. 35W is borderline size, as all MH lamps have different designs some 35W lamps may be more affected than others

If this is going to do significant hours or you are doing this for somebody, follow the lamp specs recommendations

If the lamp does not require Electronic, it may still have significantly better life on Electronic, but the gear itself is more reliable when it is Magnetic. So the choice is between something that would ideally last very long but may be randomly killed by a surge, or something that may not last as long and will most likely start flickering at 60Hz for a while before EOL, but won't have surprises

If you do this for yourself, do whatever you want, but you might get a surprise in lamp life



What i dont get is, why most MH lamps which are rated for Magnetic dont specify the energy (not voltge) of the ignitor required. HID ignitors ith same voltage but of different types have different energy level, and i'd guess that may have a lot of effect on electrode sputtering, especially in a hot restrike

I'd be doing this for myself, and it won't be running for very long hours, only about 3-6 hours daily, and probably not every day although quite often. If I find the parts I'm looking for, I might just try it and see...

As for the ignitor, could it be possible to find a "smart" ignitor that will not attempt a hot restrike until a timer has elapsed ?

I know about several anti-cycle ignitors, that have timer to delay the ignition cycles (All of them for use with european chokes, and I don't think they are suitable for the american gears):
Eltam ES-PI 1000 (Eltam Ein Hashofet, Israel)(Semi-parallel): ignites for 3-5 secs, wait for a min. Gives up after 4 cycles : http://www.lighting-gallery.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-112145
Europhane/Sabir ignitor (France)(Semi-parallel): Don't attempt to restrike the lamp until after several tens of seconds (Varies betweeen individual ignitors): http://www.lighting-gallery.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-92378
Tridonic ignitor (Superimposed): Don't attempt to restrike the lamp until after between 10 secs to 2 mins: http://www.lighting-gallery.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-106802
Helvar intelligent ignitor (Superimposed): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcYWvP0uKX8
Vossloh-Schwabe ignitor (Superimposed): http://www.lighting-gallery.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-117016
Most european electronic ballasts for HID lamps (Eltam, Osram, Tridonic, Bag Turgi, etc...), have timers that delays their ignition attempts during hot restrike as well.

I have a magnetic 35w ballast (in a landscape enclosure) that runs "electronic only" Philips lamps I found at Restore just fine.

I have a magnetic 35w ballast (in a landscape enclosure) that runs "electronic only" Philips lamps I found at Restore just fine.

How long has it been running ?

It isnt only about the ignitor being "smart" or not. If talking about Eltam ignitors as example, ES50 have draconic impulse energy - It is rated to strike lamps at the top of a post when all the gear including the ignitor are at the base. The PI1000 (smart) is quite high too. The ES250 (not smart ignitor) is fairly low. Most VS Z250/Z400 are low and many of them are smart too

How long has it been running ?

I have been using it since November last year when I found 3 of them at Restore. It probably has about 3000 hours on it by now. I just use it as indirect lighting in my room.

I have been using it since November last year when I found 3 of them at Restore. It probably has about 3000 hours on it by now. I just use it as indirect lighting in my room.

LOL i do something similar with a 175W MV lamp, i just have the ballast with the socket and everything sitting on my shelf
the foil is just so it does not heat the wall.

I have been using it since November last year when I found 3 of them at Restore. It probably has about 3000 hours on it by now. I just use it as indirect lighting in my room.

Would you happen to have a picture of your setup ? I couldn't find any in your gallery.

Would you happen to have a picture of your setup ? I couldn't find any in your gallery.

I can soon, my camera is charging since the battery is dead.

I was thinking they stopped, but it looks like 1000Bulbs still has reasonably cheap 39W M130 magnetic PSMH ballasts here. Yeah they're Sola but do you really wanna pay $130 for an Advance?