Generators and digital ballasts

[Uncle FREEDOM]

Peace dudes.... the uncle here.

Got a question for you boys. I have only ran old school ballasts before, but thinking of maybe upgrading to digital ballasts. I have been know to use line power and sometimes a diesel gen set. (good quality commercial one)

I have heard that running a gen set with a digital ballast is a no go. I was wondering if this is true and if it is why is this so?

If true is there a way around this problem (ie something to smooth out the current)

if not can some one recommend digital ballasts that just work, and have less problems

thanks boys for your help.

peace

 

[DownDrome]

IF the digital balast requires an even sign wave of power, which i don't know if it does and the generator doesn't provide an even sign wave which i also don't know. then a power conditioner would do the trick. power conditioners are often used for hifi gear, because often the line power in certain areas isn't all that great for delicate amps. and i don't know where to get one.

 

[yamaha_1fan]

A quick google cheack shows many vendors saying the Digitals are not to be used with generators not sure why.

APC probably makes a line conditioner if that is what is needed.

 

[ChaosCatalunya]

I have also heard this, not sure if a power conditioner is going to fix it, plenty of people off grid here having problems with washing machines and other things, but this never came up as a solution. [... and there are plenty of sods very happy to take your money for everything else made under the sun]

 

[Uncle FREEDOM]

It seems to me that the electronic ballasts are not yet that rugged.... Too bad because i would like to use them to get the extra efficiency. It in not a big deal to me, just like to keep up with the times...

I would try a line conditioner, but i am not going to lay out lots of $$$ only to have the ballasts cook.

Hey yamaha, how goes the new room??? You firing up a gen set with this one?

peace

p.s. just got off a phone with a bud... going to see AC/DC in toronto this jan. YEEHA!

 

[CannaDestroyer]

little late on this. i know that as long as you are using a good quaility Diesel generator that is rated for use with sensitive electronics (i.e computers) digitals work just fine. at least this is true of the 220v blue and purple Lumateks i own. it is also worth mentioning they have taken some serious abuse from air leaks in the fuel line causing the engine to slow way down for a second (much like a brownout for grid power). the lights will flutter but don't shut off, doesn't seem to have effected the bulbs life span or output. in a few really bad cases the lights have shut off, but lumatek has a restart switch built in that automaticly waits until the bulb cools then refires it.

 

[yamaha_1fan]

It seems to me that the electronic ballasts are not yet that rugged.... Too bad because i would like to use them to get the extra efficiency. It in not a big deal to me, just like to keep up with the times...

I would try a line conditioner, but i am not going to lay out lots of $$$ only to have the ballasts cook.

Hey yamaha, how goes the new room??? You firing up a gen set with this one?

peace

p.s. just got off a phone with a bud... going to see AC/DC in toronto this jan. YEEHA!

Its a long story but to make it short the investors backed out. I had everything planned, place lined up, equipment list, design, business plan. Pisses me off

AC/DC was the first concert I ever went to



Forget the digitals. They seem to have enough problems running on the grid, let alone off the grid