Mega Ray... how much heat?

[xautomaticflowersx]

This is turning out to be a really interesting thread, glad I asked now lol.

[mahender]

Originally Posted by Chrisal1973

I may be wrong, Mahender, but I don't think you can with an SB Megaray or other MVB. The current will lower not just the ballasted filament but the UVB arc too and this damages the bulb so it blows. I know from experience you can't do it with the EB version and I beleieve all MVB need a certain amount of directed current to function.

Why not go with a EB 60W version plugged into a timer and keep your temp controlled spot alongside. The 60W EB doesn't chuck out heat really but the temp_controlled spot would adjust to compensate for any increase once the Megaray was on. It is recommened to run this next to a basking spot but some peole put it elsewhere - as long as Seraphine can choose where he wants and can move away from the Megaray and the UVB then he'd be fine.

Hope this helps!

Thanks very muchly chrisal,
yeah i think i might go the route of EB mega ray, with additional heat.

(I dont think im gonna have much viv roof left from all the drilling and cutting LOL)

I am led to beleive that the EB ones are far more stable by nature of being EB and i am aware that they produce less heat.

to further the conversation.
i beleive because of the ouput of these bulbs that it is recommended to use it for a few hours as opposed to on for the whole day cycle.( dont quote me tho)
do you or anyone have any thoughts on this?

seraphine would have his 4 ft UVB aswell so i am figuring he will get equivalent peak exposure during the morning from the MR then i would just power it off after a few hours and the uvb tube could be his 'rest of the day UVB'

or do you just leave it on all day??

serpahine regulates himself extreemly well. so he does know to move when he has had enough.

i worry whether he would or could over expose himself.

thanks.
i agree, becoming an interesting thread.

[Chrisal1973]

Yes, the EB are more stable than the SB. With these it is usually the lighting filament that blows (ReptileUV say 6 months lifespan on average with an SB) and then the bulb is uselss even the the UVB arc is still functional. Because an EB MVB lacks the internal ballast in the bulb, i.e. light filament, it lacks the heat hence requiring an additional source.

I have my Megaray on for around 10 hours and this is plenty. As long as the rep can move away from the UVB then it will be fine - remember that in nature, all creatures that synthesise D3 via sunlight (including us) have a built in system to prevent making too much - excess gets converted into harmless by-products, and this goes for reptiles too. The only thing is to make sure the basking distances are spot on (min of 12inches) as otherwise you subject the rep to levels above that seen in the tropics.



to further the conversation.
i beleive because of the ouput of these bulbs that it is recommended to use it for a few hours as opposed to on for the whole day cycle.( dont quote me tho)
do you or anyone have any thoughts on this?

seraphine would have his 4 ft UVB aswell so i am figuring he will get equivalent peak exposure during the morning from the MR then i would just power it off after a few hours and the uvb tube could be his 'rest of the day UVB'

or do you just leave it on all day??

serpahine regulates himself extreemly well. so he does know to move when he has had enough.

i worry whether he would or could over expose himself.

thanks.
i agree, becoming an interesting thread.[/QUOTE]

[pete-vtr]

just though, why carnt you use murcury bulbs on a dimmer stat?

could someone explain why aswell

[Chrisal1973]

Originally Posted by pete-vtr

just though, why carnt you use murcury bulbs on a dimmer stat?

could someone explain why aswell

I think this is because the arc apparatus for UVB production needs a certain amount of direct current and if this is lowered by the dimming stat it causes a failure (that is what happened when I connected one by accident - it tried to light and instantly blew). This was an externally ballasted one BTW.

If it is a MVB with an internal ballast then this filament could theoretically be controlled by a dimmer but again the UBV arc apparatus would be jointly affected and the thing would not function correctly. That's my understanding anyway (and personal experience).

I could be wrong though... It wouldn't be the first time!