KCFITZ78

This will give you complete understanding of how to overdrive lights!!!!

I found the following article, and this is a GREAT article:
http://www.geocities.com/teeley2/overdrv1.html

leady

This doesn't work for me, maybe I've done something wrong.

I went to home depot and bought one $6 t12 bulb and $10 bulb holder with the ballast in it. Ballast is Keystone 240tpes, I can't find it anywhere on the web including keystone's website so I'm not even sure if good for overdriving.

Anyway, after I reconfigure the wires for 2X, I don't see any difference in luminescent at all, at least not noticeable with my eyes.

This sucks since I need more cheap lights for my 60 gallon planted tanks.

I hope others have better luck.

Edit: Now that I've mess around some more, I can say that I was wrong before. It's definitely brighter. I can see with my eyes that the bulb is brighter now, not 2x brighter but maybe 1.5x or less brighter.

I'm wondering if I reconfigure the wires for 2 bulbs into 1 bulb, do I use twice the electricity? So if I overdrive one t12 40watt bulbs, am I using 80watts now?

KCFITZ78

You stated that the bulb is not 2x brighter, please note the following in the article I referenced:

"If you double the amount of current, you won’t get a bulb that’s two times brighter because the efficiency drops off a bit. So even after the increased current is made available, a bulb driven by a factor of two times its normal supply, only gets 1.7 times brighter. You can do a 1x, 2x, or 3x overdrive with a four-lamp ballast, but the efficiency drops. (4x output into one bulb is only 2.4 times as bright as normal).

Also, you asked "I'm wondering if I reconfigure the wires for 2 bulbs into 1 bulb, do I use twice the electricity? So if I overdrive one t12 40watt bulbs, am I using 80watts now?

The answer is no, cause you are overdriving the bulb, not the ballast. The ballast has a maxium output wattage. When you overdrive, you are supplying the maxium output wattage to one bulb rather than accross 2 bubls (normal condition). Hence the bulb is being supplied 2x the wattage.

ucdchan

I'm trying to do the same thing with overdriving my T8 32w bulbs. I'm still confuse on your answer regarding the watt usage.

So let say the brightness increase 1.7 times for a 32w.
Does that mean the watt usage is 54.4w?
Or does that mean it's using 64w?

Also, anyone know what will happen if I have a 32w ballast, and overdrive (2x32w) a 40w tube?
Will it be at 40w or higher?

Newt

I can tell you two things: It will dramatically shorten the life of the cathode tube inside your bulb and wear out the phosphors prematurely.

surpera1

but , if you are using the inexpensive T12 48 inch GE plant and aquarium bulbs - cheap to replace - i built one of these units for myself - used 2 lights of america shoplights from walmart - worked out great for me - got some more light in my tank for just $20 in the fixture - its a fun project and it works - the LOA units are real slick to convert

KCFITZ78

((((First))))
Yes you are confused and you have me confused too. As far as wattage goes your ballast is rated for a max wattage. The ballast will always supply that max wattage, nothing more or less.

I am confused as to what you are doing to your T8 32w bulbs. What is the fixture?
1) 1, 2, 3, 4.... bulb steup?
2) What wattage bulb(s) are to be used in this fixture?

((((Second)))))
Brightness increase will never be 2x. When you supply a bulb with more watts then it is rated for the efficiency of the bulb decreases. Bulbs are rated for a certain wattage, because the wattage recommended is based for max efficiency bulb life and lighting. As you increase wattage to a bulb the efficiency decreases. So…… supplying a bulb with twice the wattage (2x) will approx equate to 1.7 times brightness.

((((Last))))
You said “Also, anyone know what will happen if I have a 32w ballast, and overdrive (2x32w) a 40w tube?
Will it be at 40w or higher?

You need to clarify what your saying
Ballast wattage is?
How many bulbs are you going to run and what are the recommended wattages of these bulbs?

*********Remember this example: When you overdrive, you are supplying the maxium output wattage of the ballast to one bulb rather than accross 2 bubls (normal condition). Hence the bulb is being supplied 2x the wattage.

So………… if you have a 54 watt max ballast it was meant to run (2) 25 watt bulbs.

If you rewire the fixture to run (1) 25 watt bulb instead of (2) bulbs, then you are overdriving by 2x, meaning the bulb is getting twice the wattage it should. If you use (1) 32 watt bulb then you would be overdriving the bulb 1.5x

ir0n_ma1den

Could you overdrive a Coralife aqualight PC fixture?

KCFITZ78

You can overdrive most fixtures. I mean what your asking is very general. If you don't have a basic understanding of electrical and have trouble understanding the attached guide at the begining of this thread, then I suggest you shouldn't overdrive lighting.

What is the fixture 2 x 54w, 4 x 54w, 2 x 65w, 4 x 65w....... etc

ir0n_ma1den

Its a 1x65w CP lighting fixture