Elmo HP305 Solar Deluxe or the Dukane 680 ?
I would be gutting the overhead projector for it's 575watt ballast and I think both overheads are the same but I'm not 100% shure ?
So would one be better than the other ?
Which do you like? The Elmo HP305 Solar Deluxe or the Dukane 680 ?
Full Version: Elmo HP305 Solar Deluxe or Dukane 680 ?
OHPs don't have "ballasts" they have transformers.
The two are NOT the same and a transformer from an OHP will not work with a MH bulb if that is your thinking.
The two are NOT the same and a transformer from an OHP will not work with a MH bulb if that is your thinking.
QUOTE (eponymous @ Nov 10 2008, 03:45 AM) 
OHPs don't have "ballasts" they have transformers.
The two are NOT the same and a transformer from an OHP will not work with a MH bulb if that is your thinking.
The two are NOT the same and a transformer from an OHP will not work with a MH bulb if that is your thinking.
Umm no...
Several overheads like the Elmo's have 575 watt MH Bulbs/Ballast.
QUOTE (jonjandran @ Nov 10 2008, 07:03 AM)
Umm no...
Several overheads like the Elmo's have 575 watt MH Bulbs/Ballast.
Several overheads like the Elmo's have 575 watt MH Bulbs/Ballast.
Yea I have a 575 watt bulb I got off Ebay and have read post that are 4+years old that have people using the Elmo HP305 Solar Deluxe and Dukane 680 to make projectors.
I don't know if the right word is "transformer" or "electronic ballast" but I do know people have been gutting those two overhead projectors for years.
You will see people selling them in the trading post forum all the time.
I was just wondering if one is better then the other ???
IIRC, the ballast on the elmo is a bit finicky... I think more people have used the dukane, so you are more likely to get help with it. I finally have all the pieces (or at least enough) to start my build from a dukane 682. I'm not sure about the elmo, but I like that the dukane 682 has a lamp timer and (I think I read somewhere) thermal cutoff circuitry... that much less to do 
QUOTE (dougr @ Nov 11 2008, 10:33 AM)
IIRC, the ballast on the elmo is a bit finicky... I think more people have used the dukane, so you are more likely to get help with it. I finally have all the pieces (or at least enough) to start my build from a dukane 682. I'm not sure about the elmo, but I like that the dukane 682 has a lamp timer and (I think I read somewhere) thermal cutoff circuitry... that much less to do
I'm using ballast from ELMO. It has two thermal cutoff switches in the lamp housing. Not sure what the "finicky" specifics are, just be careful when removing it and make a diagram of all wire connections. If you do use one, there is a lamp cutoff switch that is released by a metal tab when the OHP surface glass is raised. You will need to plunge the switch down (and keep it down).
Both ballasts are prone to overheating. Be sure to have forced air blowing on them, or they will probably fail on you.
I can't recall exactly what was said, and don't feel like searching through the forums... just what I recall reading at some point. I think if you take care with wiring and cooling, either should be fine... If they failed when used as intended, they would not have sold too many 
QUOTE (bevo77 @ Nov 11 2008, 09:02 AM)
... Not sure what the "finicky" specifics are, just be careful when removing it and make a diagram of all wire connections. If you do use one, there is a lamp cutoff switch that is released by a metal tab when the OHP surface glass is raised. You will need to plunge the switch down (and keep it down).
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