PC - Square or Straight pin?

[dansemacabre]

Is one "better" than the other? I wouldn't think so, but I want to make sure. Hellolights has moisture-resistant endcaps for straight pin bulbs, but not square pin. Would you even recommend moisture-resistant? I think I'd like them for peace of mind, but they're a lot more expensive than your standard PC endcap. If it makes a difference, they're for Actinic 03 96-watt PCs. Thanks!

The rubber end caps give it a tighter seal so you would have less moisture if that was an issue. That said though I have been using the regular plastic endcaps (square) for about 8 years without issue. I tend to see some condensation after lights out when the hood cools down but so far no problems. If you will be keeping a plexi guard on the tank between the water and lights it won't matter much. If the lights will be afixed without a plexi splash guard, then I would definately get the moisture resistant caps. As you said, peace of mind.

Cheers
Steve

[dansemacabre]

So I'm guessing straight-pin is just as well as square-pin? I know it's all in the sockets, but I read that square-pin bulbs are a bit wider? Wondering if that would affect anything. I'm going to order the straight-pin endcaps (moisture-resistant) anyways, now I'm just curious. Thanks again for your help steve!

[fishfreek]

I would base your decision on what type of endcap to get based on the availablity of the bulbs. Who wants a stright pin endcap if the stright pin bulbs are hard to find in the given wattage you need.

I know my 55W PC bulbs had a stright pin config and my 96W bulbs have a square pin config.

[dansemacabre]

You're right. I can't find straight-pin 96w bulbs anywhere I've looked. I suppose I'll have to order the square-pin moisture-resistant endcaps from marinedepot, cut off the connectors, splice the wires to my ballast and just use those.