Someone was kind enough to direct me here about a theoretical question I have listed below:
While doing some reading on HID bulbs and ballasts then somehow ending up on youtube (it always happens), I came across an interesting article about different methods of regulating the output power aka intensity. There are several methods practiced by manufacturers of dimmable ballasts, but to me the simplest (but not most efficient) way seems to be simply slightly adjusting the input. Attached is a Pout vs Pin graph from one of the articles. I'm not familiar with the rules regarding outside links, but if it's allowed I will gladly post it.
Assuming efficiency wasn't of great importance and the input voltage was always kept above the minimum required for proper operation, wouldn't a voltage divider before the ballast's input theoretically do the trick? Part of me says it makes sense, part of me says its too simple to work. Perhaps it's so simple because it isn't efficient? (Possibly why this simple dimmer knob isn't offered as a low cost attachment)
I don't have the parts (or courage) to see if it would work, but I was just curious and decided to ask if anybody could share their input.
View attachment 67179
While doing some reading on HID bulbs and ballasts then somehow ending up on youtube (it always happens), I came across an interesting article about different methods of regulating the output power aka intensity. There are several methods practiced by manufacturers of dimmable ballasts, but to me the simplest (but not most efficient) way seems to be simply slightly adjusting the input. Attached is a Pout vs Pin graph from one of the articles. I'm not familiar with the rules regarding outside links, but if it's allowed I will gladly post it.
Assuming efficiency wasn't of great importance and the input voltage was always kept above the minimum required for proper operation, wouldn't a voltage divider before the ballast's input theoretically do the trick? Part of me says it makes sense, part of me says its too simple to work. Perhaps it's so simple because it isn't efficient? (Possibly why this simple dimmer knob isn't offered as a low cost attachment)
I don't have the parts (or courage) to see if it would work, but I was just curious and decided to ask if anybody could share their input.
View attachment 67179