Profile Powerhouse 35W/50W ballast testing data

[Haloruler64]

The Retrofit Source has created a ballast that can do both 35W and 50W, switching to the latter with the flip of a switch (or more accurately, the bridging of two contacts). This is a first for mainstream HID products and I was very excited to test it out!

I compared the Powerhouse to a Hella Gen 3 that was modified with updated MOSFETs and on demand switching from 37W to 45W or 55W. Keep in mind that, yes, the Hella Gen 3 is at a higher wattage in both 37W and 55W modes so the numbers will be higher. Also the Gen 3 was custom made, so the wattage numbers may not be perfectly accurate and I have no control for the 55W portion. I plan to measure power draw of the ballast at 55W soon (if someone can suggest an easy way of doing this I'd be grateful!).

For a 35W control, I used an Alpha HID 35W ballast that HK45 tested to output an actual 35 watts. Source: https://www.hidplanet.com/forums/for...bulbs-shootout

So let's get to it! The photos are exposure and color balance locked. Lux meter results were peak readings taken after plenty of time for the ballast to warm up. The ballasts were powering well used CNLight H7 HID bulb in a halogen H7 Koito projector with a tuned clear lens. All photos and measurements were taken at 35 feet.

Note: My photos of the Profile Powerhouse state that it runs at 55W. This is wrong, it runs at 50W. Please excuse the error.

Hella Gen 3 at 37W: 379 lux







Hella Gen 3 at 55W: 705 lux







Profile Powerhouse at 35W: 302 lux







Profile Powerhouse at 50W: 502 lux







Alpha HID at 35W: 319 lux







Comparison gifs:

Hella Gen 3 37W vs Profile Powerhouse 35W exposure 1:



Hella Gen 3 37W vs Profile Powerhouse 35W exposure 3:



Alpha HID 35W vs Profile Powerhouse 35W exposure 1:



Alpha HID 35W vs Profile Powerhouse 35W exposure 3:



Hella Gen 3 55W vs Profile Powerhouse 50W exposure 1:



Hella Gen 3 55W vs Profile Powerhouse 50W exposure 3:



The output of the Profile Powerhouse in 35W mode is spot on at 35W, comparable to every other quality 35W ballast. At 50 the numbers seem to line up with what they should be, considering the upgraded MOSFETs in the 55W Hella Gen 3 (for better efficiency). The switch is instantaneous and the pigtail coming out of the ballast is a 9006 connector, perfect for hooking up to a high beam splitter for some extra wattage in high beam.

Full review to come soon with corrected output photos, more photos of the ballast itself, and my thoughts on construction/functionality/quality!

[Eddie]

There's been switchable ballasts before the Profiles; Auerswald had one in the early 2000s (I still have one operational unit), xevision (member D1S' company), and the "K9" brand I discovered back in January.

You should be able to do the usual meter leads @ positive and negative to get voltage then meter leads in series @ positive to get amps, then multiply those values by each other to calculate power draw in watts (multiply that number by .85 for approximate wattage to the bulb). Or are there secondary power leads for the high-wattage circuit?

PS wanna test one of those K9 ballasts? I could send you one if you agree to ship it back at your own expense

[Haloruler64]

I was trying to say mainstream switchable ballast. Let me rephrase that.

So my meter has to support high current to be put in series correct? I dunno how much the Powerhouse draws at startup, which is what concerns me, otherwise it'll be under 5A. No secondary wiring, the trigger is just two pins that need to be bridged.

They're the 45W/60W correct? What are your thoughts on them? I remember you speaking about them. I wonder what shipping cost will be, I may be interested!

[Eddie]

So my meter has to support high current to be put in series correct? I dunno how much the Powerhouse draws at startup, which is what concerns me, otherwise it'll be under 5A.

Most ballasts easily go over 5A @ startup. I tested some Fastbright F7s and had close to 8 amps draw at startup. I know Hellas are somewhat current hungry so they may peak at close to 10.

They're the 45W/60W correct? What are your thoughts on them? I remember you speaking about them. I wonder what shipping cost will be, I may be interested!

Yup they're claimed to be 45/60. Realistically they're probably like 35/50 to the bulb https://www.hidplanet.com/forums/for...ast-find/page3

I planned to do light meter comparisons against some OEM and aftermarket 35w then some 50-55w; ultimately to be used on a MH1 7.0 retro (which I haven't even started on aaargh) since the bowls may peel from high-wattage usage,but home repair stuff and working 7-day work weeks have been taking my free time

They're pretty compact ballasts , I can ship it safely in a small flat rate (reasonably priced) USPS box. PM your zip code.

[Haloruler64]

Yeah I thought so. I'll see if my meter is beefy enough for that and I'll give it a shot!

PM'd

[soundman98]

Most meters are fused for 10A. Otherwise you could fire them with a wire paralled across the meter leads to bypass the meter for startup

[Haloruler64]

I'll check when I get home! I bought a meter that had a higher rating fuse than my regular one at some point.

[Eddie]

Nice,you can measure both amps and volts at the same time since you have two meters.

[Haloruler64]

WOOHOO!

[soundman98]

I'll check when I get home! I bought a meter that had a higher rating fuse than my regular one at some point.

Even the cheap hf meters have a 10A fuse, so if you're worried, pick one of those up

[Haloruler64]

I bought a Craftsman, local and was like $8 at the time. AFAIK it's 10A as well. Probably the same meter.

[soundman98]

I think i remember a pic of it, iirc, its slightly nicer than a cheap hf meter. That's what they give the free coupons for- so we can find unique ways to blow them up!

[gold94corolla]

Nice pictures and comparisons! Last time I saw a switchable ballast available for sale (well only time) was retro-solutions long ago. Glad to see there is something decent finally! I just got rid of my dual-brightness ballasts a month or two back, so I was considering these new ones. How's the warmup time?

[Haloruler64]

I think i remember a pic of it, iirc, its slightly nicer than a cheap hf meter. That's what they give the free coupons for- so we can find unique ways to blow them up!

Yeah it's nicer. Really not bad.

Nice pictures and comparisons! Last time I saw a switchable ballast available for sale (well only time) was retro-solutions long ago. Glad to see there is something decent finally! I just got rid of my dual-brightness ballasts a month or two back, so I was considering these new ones. How's the warmup time?

Thanks! What happened to your dual brightness ballasts?

The warm up time isn't slow, but it's not quick. It's quicker than expected, knowing the standard Morimoto's warm up time.I can take a video if you'd like.

[Eddie]

I have the freebie coopin’ HF meter; the leads are horrible,one actually began melting while testing for amperage...wasn’t surprised since the actual wire in the leads are like the thickness of human hair LOL

The warm up time isn't slow, but it's not quick. It's quicker than expected, knowing the standard Morimoto's warm up time.I can take a video if you'd like.

I could probably throw in a F5 ballast with the K9 (no additional shipping cost since it’s flat rate) if you want to compare warmup time, and also a good light meter and power draw comparison to the other ballasts’ high-wattage mode :-)