SON Power Draw Electronic Vs Magnetic

[fluorescent]

On my huge list of things to do, sorting my dusk-to-dawn outside lighting is nearing the top.

I've got a Philips something-or-other SON street light with a corner bracket that's probably going to be installed at one end of the house. It's currently magnetically ballasted for 70w lamps. I was thinking about re-gearing it for 50w lamps, but I'm now wondering if it'd be worth using an electronic ballast instead & keep it 70w?

I've measured circa 90 watts being drawn using a new 70w lamp on the magnetic gear. Would an electronic ballast save much over this, and do they drive the lamp at full brightness?

...or (wildcard) should I convert it to pl-t?

[FrontSideBus]

42w PL-T gets my vote

My patio Gamma 6 nearly ended up with an 18w PL-C in it instead of an 18w SOX lol

[Danny]

Id stay 70w SON or if you want white just stick a CMH or Street wise in

[Kev]

Surprised the mag is pulling so much wonder how good the cap is. Should drop it down to around 73W on ele gear

[FrontSideBus]

90w sounds about right tbh for 70w mag gear tbh. It's what I got when I tested some a while ago.

[fluorescent]

I was thinking about this again yesterday, I have a few 40w/840 Megaman Clusterlite lamps knocking about. I might try one of them in it. Wouldn't normally be my first choice but seeing as I already have them...

[FrontSideBus]

If you already have it than it’s worth a go. Will it fit though? Those things are massive IIRC?

[fluorescent]

I think it should. The 40w lamps aren't too big, but still bigger than a 70w SON. The 60w and bigger Clusterlites is when they start not fitting in many existing fittings usually

[Mrstreetlight]

Mag!

[Slyspark]

Keep it SON! A nice warm, welcoming light.....