NO to VHO

[ctm474]

Does anyone know how to convert a NO hood to use VHO bulbs? What parts are needed?

 

[ironreef]

new ballast,end caps and vho bulbs

 

[bang guy]

You could swap your ballast for an IceCap 660. That would instantly double your light output without the expense of replacing your bulbs. Then over time you can gradually swap out the NO bulbs for VHO one at a time.

 

[ctm474]

The thing is that I already have the VHO bulb and it is 24", the thing was that I thought you could just pop the VHO bulb into the hood and it would work......no such luck, it just flickers. I was thinking I could just go to home depot and buy some ballasts and if i needed a new starter. They sell magnetic and electronic ballasts. Does anybody know the difference?

 

[bang guy]

Magnetic ballasts are less efficient and burn the bulbs a lot hotter. As a result the bulbs only last about 6 months.

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by nolofinwe
bang guy, i have the icecap 660 running 3 NO bulbs, each 48" long (40 watts each)... or so i thought.
does the ballast 'overpower' the bulbs? if so, to what wattage approxamatly? does this impact bulb life?
Yes. The IceCap is producing about twice the light as the NO ballast. It is using about 65 watts per NO bulb. It will impact bulb life. They will last about a year.

 

[slick]

Well I don't run VHO's but I do run 260w of pc's with 2 175w MH's and I still get good reflection. I don't know if this helps or not.

 

[reef on the brain]

To convert NO to VHO requires a 1500 milliamp ballast and VHO bulbs. Waterproof end caps are not mandatory but recommended.
Ice Cap makes a very high quality 1500 milliamp ballast for aquarium use, but at over $160 each not in every aquarists budget.
General electric makes a ballast that will run two 48" T12 VHO (1500 milliamp i.e URI) bulbs.
Price....49.95
G.E. part #: 8G3736 Wf
Any lighting store can order it for you. The wiring diagram is on the ballast.
Hope this helps.