EB / SB question

[luvthydragon]

EB - External ballast
SB - Self ballast

My enclosure is way too hot. I currently have a SB 100 watt T-rex in a 4 x 2 x 2

If I go to the 60 watt I can only find it in an EB kit by Megaray. What will I need ???? Where does the ballast fit into the fixture - do I have to re-wire????

Any help appreciated.

 

[LQDragons]

I have 2 sb100's & yes they produce an awfull lot of heat. So when I set up my newest enclosure I ordered a eb60, what a difference, I now have the eb60 & a 100w flood for added heat. The ballast is not very big and you use the exact set up you are using now. Just unplug your UVB fixture and plug it into the ballast box, then plug ballast box in, it's a really nice set-up. I'll take a pic, if you'd like hope this helps

 

[midnight_962002]

I run 5 of the EB kits. I built a 4x2x1.5 enclosure also. This kit allows you to be much more accurate in your temperature. Like LQ said you will probably need another bulb to provide the remaining heat. So you may need to rewire that. I use this bulb and a 40 watt household bulb for my heat and I get almost perfect temps. If you wanted to go bigger you could install a dimmer switch in line and really get some control out of the bulb.

On a side not. I have found the best way to ensure that these ballasts last super long is to install them where they will get cooler air across them. I mounted mine on the side, outside, of the enclosure. I also placed a small plastic washer behined each mounting poing to raise it off of the enclosure and allow air to move accross all 6 sides of the ballast. Since I have been doing it this way I haven't had one fail. One of them is now 18 months old. The ballasts get warm. Not hot but, if you place them where cool air doesn't get to them to cool them off they will fail prematurely.

Ernie

 

[luvthydragon]

I have 2 sb100's & yes they produce an awfull lot of heat. So when I set up my newest enclosure I ordered a eb60, what a difference, I now have the eb60 & a 100w flood for added heat. The ballast is not very big and you use the exact set up you are using now. Just unplug your UVB fixture and plug it into the ballast box, then plug ballast box in, it's a really nice set-up. I'll take a pic, if you'd like hope this helps

I think I'm gonna have to go this route....I appreciate the help. Is there any other quality MVB 60 watt EB that you recommend other than the Megaray / Is that what you are currently using? Just checking out my options. I have the Megaray is the best though.....Thanks - yes - you did help alot because from the photo I saw it looked like the ballast had to be hard-wired...I didn't know you just plugged it in to the existing fixture. Thanks again I am elecrically challenged....

Like LQ said you will probably need another bulb to provide the remaining heat. So you may need to rewire that. I use this bulb and a 40 watt household bulb for my heat and I get almost perfect temps.

When I built the enclosure I wired another flood in there all ready - but haven't been using it because it got the cool end too warm....but it's ready to go if I need it.

On a side not. I have found the best way to ensure that these ballasts last super long is to install them where they will get cooler air across them. I mounted mine on the side, outside, of the enclosure. I also placed a small plastic washer behined each mounting poing to raise it off of the enclosure and allow air to move accross all 6 sides of the ballast. Since I have been doing it this way I haven't had one fail. One of them is now 18 months old. The ballasts get warm. Not hot but, if you place them where cool air doesn't get to them to cool them off they will fail prematurely.
Ernie

Thanks so much for getting back to me
When I built the enclosure I wired another flood in there all ready - but haven't been using it because it got the cool end too warm....but it's ready to go if I need it.

Thanks for the tip on adding the washers - I will certainly take your advice there....

Curious about that dimmer switch idea....can I use that with the current 100 watt MVB I have now instead of changing the bulb/does that change the output of the amount of UVB it puts out?????
Any further replies appreciated...

 

[midnight_962002]

No.....You can't use a dimmer switch on a MVB. You are gonna wanna wire the two seperatly if they haven't been already. Shouldn't be to difficult to modify.

Ernie

 

[luvthydragon]

No.....You can't use a dimmer switch on a MVB. You are gonna wanna wire the two seperatly if they haven't been already. Shouldn't be to difficult to modify.

Ernie

gotcha - you meant for the seperate flood (non-UVB) I think.....duh (been a long week) - Great idea though.....Thanks again