Lights on a transformer or re-ballast?

[86turbodsl]

I've got about 26 lights with 347-480V ballasts, and no 480V service. What makes more sense, run a 5KVA transformer and wire them 480V, or just reballast everything to 120V?

I think i know the answer, but i've heard that lights are more efficient at higher voltages, so maybe that would pay for the cost to run the transformer?

Any experience out there?

 

[kd3pc]

fair number of unanswered variables in your posting

what is the bulb type

will the lights really solve your problem (height, lumens, hours of use, etc, etc) Or were they "free" and you want to put them up?

WHO is running and paying for and installing the 5KVA xformer? You, Power company, etc? Most power companies are not going to just set a xformer, unless there is a real need and a paying customer who will use it enough for them to recover the cost. If you are doing this on your nickel a simple cost to benefit analysis would be in order -comparing xformer and re-ballast and associated costs to do so.

lamps are designed for a purpose and you are correct they are generally much more efficient at higher voltages, but I doubt they will pay anything near either costs.

 

[cybrdyke]

i've heard that lights are more efficient at higher voltages, so maybe that would pay for the cost to run the transformer?

You pay for WATTS. And watts consumed will be the same regardless of voltage, so there's no energy savings to be gained by running them at 480 with a transformer.

Let us know the set up and you'll get some solutions.
T8 or T12 or something different?
4 foot or 8 foot?
Number of lamps per fixture?
Hours that you intend to use the space?

CD

 

[86turbodsl]

T5ho, 4 bulbs, 4ft. 20hrs ish a week.

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[wyliesdiesels]

I've got about 26 lights with 347-480V ballasts, and no 480V service. What makes more sense, run a 5KVA transformer and wire them 480V, or just reballast everything to 120V?

I think i know the answer, but i've heard that lights are more efficient at higher voltages, so maybe that would pay for the cost to run the transformer?

Any experience out there?

What is this for? A residential garage?

Did u get these from Canada? 347v is a line to neutral voltage for 600Y system. 277v is line to neutral voltage of a 480Y system...

 

[ryanjharvey]

Your paying for the transformer and its inefficiencies no matter what. Could be cheaper than reballasting over the life cycle though.


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[86turbodsl]

Residential pole barn. 14ft ceiling. They are standard high voltage ballasts by philips. I dont know where they sold from, i got them from Ohio.

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[wyliesdiesels]

Is your garage attached? If so, then u cant use them as residential lighting is limited to 120v. Even if its not attached, one could still argue that its at a residence.

 

[86turbodsl]

No, it's a detached structure. i'm not asking the poco to install a service, just if i should get and install 480v/240V transformer with sole purpose of running lights. i have no idea what the cost to run a transformer is. i'm sure there is some info out there somewhere, i just was wondering if anyone had any experience with this type of situation.

 

[Norcal]

Are the fixtures worth screwing with? My vote is either change the ballasts, or scrap the fixtures & replace them, 480 volts should only be used where qualified people service it & allowed by code, NEC article 210.16(D)(1)(b) mandates 18 foot mounting heights minimum for fixtures operating on circuits exceeding 277 volts, & not exceeding 600 volts.

 

[toplessHO]

Are the fixtures worth screwing with? My vote is either change the ballasts, or scrap the fixtures & replace them, 480 volts should only be used where qualified people service it & allowed by code, NEC article 210.16(D)(1)(b) mandates 18 foot mounting heights minimum for fixtures operating on circuits exceeding 277 volts, & not exceeding 600 volts.

haha I ve heard of some guys using 240 to power up 277v ballast,not saying thats ok but they say it does work

sounds like its best to pull the ballasts out and sell them to someone that has a 480v service
and replace with 120v.

 

[cybrdyke]

A 4 lamp T5HO ballast that will run on 120 will cost you around $35 bucks each. Easy swap out. If you got the fixtures for free, you're still ahead.
CD

 

[Pwrgeek]

Running a transformer and all of the associated costs are going to far outstrip the cost of ballasts for those lights. Just an idea of the costs.

Install
Transformer = ~$500
Incoming circuit is no different
Outgoing over current device ($50)
Outgoing ground is variable depending on where you put it but it will have to have its own ground because it is a separately derived system

Plus approximately a 100W no load loss which would cost money over time.


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[86turbodsl]

Gotcha. 100w constant is not acceptable. Ballasts would seem to make the most sense.

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[nadogail]

Like most other things, the answer you like will come after a Cost/Benefit study.

What will a transformer cost ? Can a used one be acquired?

What will ballasts cost? Can you find any surplus ballasts?

In my area, there are dealers for used electrical supplies and industrial surplus.