Relative power for
different ballast/lamp combinations |
Disclaimer: This should be used ONLY for
comparing different ballast combinations, not for picking lamps. The lamps used for
these tests are reference grade UVA/B lamps, FR32T8 size, but they are not a product we
sell or have ever offered for testing. These numbers shouldn't be taken too literal,
particularly "totals" as they don't account for wave cancellation and the other
practical realities of building a UV rig. They still do provide some good basic
guidance. Watts rating is based on draw at plug, and doesn't count thermal loss. UV output numbers measured at face of warm bulb, center of lamp. |
Ballast |
# of lamps x size |
Total Amps/Watts @ 120VAC |
Watts per lamp |
UVA+B mW/cm2 per lamp |
Total mW/cm2 |
mW/cm2 per watt of incoming power |
Workhorse 8 |
4xF32 |
1.42A/170.4W |
42.6W |
21 |
84 |
0.493W UV per mW/AC |
Workhorse 8 |
6xF32 |
1.86A/223.2W |
37.2W |
18.5 |
111 |
0.497W UV per mW/AC |
Workhorse 8 - VHO |
3xF32 |
2.6A/156W |
52W |
32 |
96 |
0.6515W UV per mW/AC |
40W F40 ballast |
2xF32 |
.67A/80.4W |
40.2W |
20 |
40 |
0.498W UV per mW/AC |
32W F32 ballast |
4xF32 |
1.02A/122.4W |
30.6W |
15 |
60 |
0.490W UV per mW/AC |
SunHorse |
4xF32 |
2.21A/265.2W |
66.3W |
29 |
116 |
0.437W UV per mW/AC |
Workhorse 7 |
4xF32 |
1.55A/186W |
46.5W |
24 |
96 |
0.516W UV per mW/AC |
Workhorse 7 |
4xF17 |
.84A/100.8W |
25.2W |
* |
* |
* |
Please note that the SunHorse ballast did have the highest
output, but it voids the warranty and is out of specification. The most efficient as well as highest power within specification is running the Workhorse 8 on three lamps. At 52 watts, it is near the top end of the design but still well within specification. For close in curing applications in particular, this is the best choice.
Readings that show an astrisk (*) indicate that a measurement wasn't taken for that metric. |
This next chart is for a variety of T12 (1.5" diameter) lamps, in the 48 (FR40) and 20 (FR20) inch sizes. Like the above numbers, this chart should never be the sole determining factor in determining which lamps size or ballast to you, but will provide useful info for the engineer. As above, the UV/W numbers do NOT account for lamp length, so is useless when comparing lamps of different lengths, and in fact, can be misleading when doing so as the UV output is based on a single point, not total linear output. (ie: it represents intensity at one point, not total light.) These numbers are using SG class lamps, standard lamps will be lower. All lamps tested use RUVA style reflectors. |
Ballast |
# of lamps x size |
Total Amps/Watts @ 120VAC |
Watts per lamp |
UVA+B mW/cm2 per lamp |
Total mW/cm2 |
mW/cm2 per watt of incoming power |
Workhorse 8 |
6xF40 |
1.67A/200.4W |
33.4W |
13 |
78 |
0.389W UV per mW/AC |
Workhorse 8 |
4xF40 |
1.3A/156W |
39W |
15 |
60 |
0.385W UV per mW/AC |
Workhorse 8-HO |
3xF40 |
1.45A/174W |
58W |
20 |
50 |
0.345W UV per mW/AC |
Workhorse 8-VHO |
2xF40 |
1.32A/158.4W |
79.2W |
25 |
50 |
0.316W UV per mW/AC |
Workhorse 7 |
4xF40 |
1.37A/164.4W |
41.1W |
14.5 |
58 |
0.353W UV per mW/AC |
SunHorse (HO) |
4xF40 |
1.98A/247.6W |
59.4W |
21 |
84 |
0.354W UV per mW/AC |
SunHorse (VHO) |
4xF40 |
1.98A/247.6W |
79.2.4W |
21 |
84 |
0.354.W UV per mW/AC |
Workhorse 5 (VHO) |
1xF40 |
.66A/79.2W |
99W |
18.5 |
18.5 |
-
|
BW120 |
2xF40 |
.75A/90W |
45W |
? |
? |
-
|
FR20T12, 19" lamps |
Workhorse 7 |
4xF20 |
.65A/78W |
19.5W |
15 |
60 |
0.769 |
Workhorse 8 |
4xF20 |
.61A/73.2W |
18.3W |
13.5 |
54 |
0.738 |
Workhorse 8 (VHO) |
3xF20 |
.68A/81.6W |
27.2W |
19 |
57 |
0.699 |
BW120 |
2xF20 |
.45A/58W |
29W |
? |
? |
? |
BW120 |
4xF20 (series x 2) |
.75A/100W |
25W |
? |
? |
? |
Note on above FR40 lamps:
Running the FR40T12 at 100w is within specifications but we have found that 80w is the best maximum wattage due to physics, not any issue with the lamp itself. As you increase the wattage over 80w, the amount of UV you get from the lamp doesn't increase dramatically but the wear and tear on the lamp is 25% higher. |
Relative output of various Solacure fixtures |
Model |
# of lamps x size |
Amps @ 120VAC |
Watts per lamp |
UVA+B mW/cm2 per lamp |
Total mW/cm2 |
|
Original F32 |
1xF32 or 1xF40 |
.20A |
24 |
680 |
680 |
Pretty much a standard F32 fixture. |
Dual Mode (prototype) |
1xF32 or 1xF40 |
.23A / .34A |
27.6W / 40.8W |
800 / 1200 |
800 / 1200 |
This unit has a switch to go from normal to turbo mode. |
? |
1xF32 or 1xF40 |
? |
? |
? |
? |
Prototype in development. |
Measurements taken 1.5" away from plant, partially obscured. Numbers do not represent what you will get, they are just for comparison of the different systems. Measured using a Flower Power FR40T12 lamp. Some rounding has been done to make graph more readable. |