What ballast can I use to run an 50W SON-I HPS lamp? « on: August 29, 2023, 08:47:28 AM » Author: Indalux
I have some new Philips 50W HPS SON-I lamps, but I don't have a 50W ballast to run them. Is there an alternative to running these lamps with MV or fluorescence ballasts? Thanks for your help!
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	Re: What ballast can I use to run an 50W SON-I HPS lamp? « Reply #1 on: August 29, 2023, 01:28:38 PM » Author: WorldwideHIDCollectorUSA
Your closest alternative could be to use a 58W T8 preheat fluorescent tube series choke ballast since the European 58W T8 fluorescent tubes have a similar operating current compared to European 50W high pressure sodium lamps. Even though the high pressure sodium lamps have a lower arc voltage drop compared to the 58W T8 fluorescent tubes, their lower power factor and rising arc voltage drop will help keep the T8 fluorescent tube choke ballast cool.
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	Re: What ballast can I use to run an 50W SON-I HPS lamp? « Reply #2 on: August 29, 2023, 11:08:56 PM » Author: Robotjulep
Do SON-I lamps have internal ignitor?
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	Re: What ballast can I use to run an 50W SON-I HPS lamp? « Reply #3 on: August 29, 2023, 11:58:37 PM » Author: WorldwideHIDCollectorUSA
Yes. Any European high pressure sodium lamp designated as ‘SON-I’ has an internal ignitor, which is usually in the form of a glowbottle starter.
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DISCLAIMER: THE EXPERIMENTS THAT I CONDUCT INVOLVING UNUSUAL LAMP/BALLAST COMBINATIONS SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED UNLESS YOU HAVE THE PROPER KNOWLEDGE. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INJURIES.

	Re: What ballast can I use to run an 50W SON-I HPS lamp? « Reply #4 on: August 30, 2023, 02:19:12 AM » Author: Indalux
Quote from: WorldwideHIDCollectorUSA on August 29, 2023, 01:28:38 PM Your closest alternative could be to use a 58W T8 preheat fluorescent tube series choke ballast since the European 58W T8 fluorescent tubes have a similar operating current compared to European 50W high pressure sodium lamps. Even though the high pressure sodium lamps have a lower arc voltage drop compared to the 58W T8 fluorescent tubes, their lower power factor and rising arc voltage drop will help keep the T8 fluorescent tube choke ballast cool. Thanks! I'm gonna try with an 58W ballast. I also have a 50W mercury vapor ballast. Could it be worth it or would the lamp or ballast suffer a lot? The ballast indicates that the amperage would be 0.62A and power factor 0.41
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	Re: What ballast can I use to run an 50W SON-I HPS lamp? « Reply #5 on: August 30, 2023, 02:42:03 AM » Author: WorldwideHIDCollectorUSA
The 50w mercury vapor choke ballast might underdrive it quite a bit, but power factor has no effect on lamp life at all.
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Desire to collect various light bulbs (especially HID), control gear, and fixtures from around the world.

DISCLAIMER: THE EXPERIMENTS THAT I CONDUCT INVOLVING UNUSUAL LAMP/BALLAST COMBINATIONS SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED UNLESS YOU HAVE THE PROPER KNOWLEDGE. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INJURIES.