Ballast getting hot

[pleichnerjv]

I have just wired my canopy for my 100 gallon with a workhorse 7 ballast and four six foot T5 bulbs. I am sure that it is wired right but when it is on for about an our it gets too hot and shuts down. I was thinking about drilling holes in the sides of my canopy and mounting fans to try to cool the inside of the canopy. and suggestions?

 

[snakeblitz33]

Cooling the bulbs and ballast is a good start. Usually ballasts are mounted on the top of a canopy on the outside.

Adding fans should help, but I would double check the wiring just to be sure.

 

[pegasus]

If those are 80W bulbs, I believe the WH7 is rated for two of those bulbs. Not 100% sure, but I'd check with Fulham to be sure...

 

[snakeblitz33]

Oh, I didn't catch that. Good job Pegasus.

 

[2quills]

6ft or 60" inch? The ballast is rated for 220watts max. 4-80watt bulbs would definitely be maxing out the ballast and you would not be achieving max output from your bulbs.

 

[pegasus]

6ft or 60" inch? The ballast is rated for 220watts max. 4-80watt bulbs would definitely be maxing out the ballast and you would not be achieving max output from your bulbs.

Workhorse 7 will operate following T5 lamps
F39T5 HO - 4 Lamps
F54T5 HO - 3 or 4 Lamps
>>>F80T5 HO - 2 Lamps<<<

 

[pleichnerjv]

I have an opportunity to get an icecap ballast for $100. Is That a good deal? It's brand new. I heard those are really good. This is my first time creating my own lighting. Thank you for the info above.

 

[pegasus]

I've heard good things about icecaps, but have no personal experience with them... nor their pricing. If it comes with a good warranty and it's designed to run 4 80W bulbs, I don't think it's too bad of a deal.