DIY VHO's

[saltynewbie]

hello all-
exploring some options here.. is it possible to run 2 110-w VHO's using a ballast bought from a local home improvement store?? has anyone ever upgraded from NO's to VHO's using a ballast bought this way? like i said, just exploring some options. i have heard it rumored that this can be done.
i also have an ice cap 660 that i am debating sending in to be repaired. can i wire this into my current "shop light" NO strips and run 2 110-w VHO's in the existing strips?
the guy at my LFS upgraded some store bought shop lights to VHO's and his tanks look great this way... any feedback is much appreciated!!! thanks!!

 

[krusk]

Yes, you can.
First, the ballast must be electronic.
Second, you need 1 ballast to fire 1 NO bulbs to have a good light output.
You can get from HD, Lowes or Menard
Advance ballast (4)F32T8
Shop light will work to house these ballasts and the bulbs.
I have try this method. And It's work. But the bulb's life is not last long comparing to e-Ballast such as IceCap, WorkHorse 7, LN etc.
If you decide to go with this route, I can show you how to wiring and stuff.
email me if you have any question.

 

[bang guy]

Yes, you can do it. As pointed out the Workhorst 7 ballast is very versitile and can be wired to run VHO or overdrive NO bulbs making them twice as bright.
Also as pointed out the lifespan of the bulb is only about 6 months. I'd recommend sending in that 660 and having it repaired. It will pay for itself the first year because of the bulbs you didn't have to replace.
You CAN wire the shoplight with the IceCap but I don't recommend it because there are no endcaps and the humidity above a tank will condense on the electrodes and may cause a short when the lights come on (experience talking here )
Buy some waterproof endcaps and get a hood for your tank. You won't be sorry.

 

[krusk]

here are some additional infomations for the DIY VHO.
VHOs on an electonic ballast (4xF32T8s)
Yes, you can drive one VHO with this setup...although, the lamp will only be as bright as a Icecap (or roughly). Regular VHO ballasts (the real ANSI standard ones that most people can't buy), are brighter. It is possible to hook the VHOs in series and light them both.
How it works is that the 4x configuration converts this ballast in to a 600mA to 800mA lamp current ballast. Lamp current is the current flowing through the actual fluorescent tube. Normal T8s need about 235mA of lamp current. Normal VHOs need 1600mA of lamp current. Icecap delivers around 600mA to 800mA of lamp current to their lamps -- this overdrives T8s/T12s and underdrives VHOs. By underdriving VHOs, they can improve the lifetime of the lamps (from 6 months to more than a year).
The power drawn might be higher than the rated wattage (as stated on the box), but they tend to put safety factors around those numbers. So, if you wish (knowing the risks), you can use them to drive two VHOs at 65W to 80W a piece (I didn't measure the actual power yet). The limiting factor with electronic ballasts is the heat that they produce...higher heat...less power it can handle before blowing up. So, if you can keep the ballast cool (with a fan or in a well ventalated area) than you should be fine. These ballasts are designed to work in crawl spaces with no ventalation at 70 to 85 degrees Celcius (~190 F).
So, if you have an old set of VHO tubes, you can give them a try. Keep in mind that VHO tubes may only last 6 to 10 months...unlike Icecap ones. This is mainly due to the fact that our ballasts do not have the fancy starting mechanism -- even through the reduced lamp current may increase lifetime.
Another alternative (a better one) is to use Workhorse 7 or 6 ballasts.
Finding those elusive T8s ?
Grainger should carry these lamps and they have outlets all around the country. Last time I looked, they sold them for $2.75 USD. 6500K is commonly referred in the lighting community as daylight. Cool = 4000K and warm = 3200K.
There should be other places that carry them....mainly light bulb distributors. Companies that sell lamps from Phillips, GE or Sylvania should sell or be able to get them for you.
Local contractors should be able to tell you where they buy their lighting stuff.