What kind of ballast and light fixture is this?

acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Sorry for the memory lapse, but the ballast will power up to 220W of light or 2 48" bulbs....you could tie into the existing wire, but I would prefer to run straight wire from the ballast to the endcap with no breaks, but that is entirely up to you....I prefer to run new wire, only for the mere fact that is just an area, that could be a problem and with running solid wire from ballast to endcap shouldn't be any type of connection issues......If you do tie into it make sure it's a good connection and properly sealed and insulated....
 
scottnlisa

scottnlisa

Member
okay here is a better picture of the ballast :
Wiring diagram( right side of ballast)

Left side of ballast

Okay now on the diagram, it tells me that where the color wires go to the connectors (blue and blue go to left side of 1st connector). My question is how do I know which connector wire gets connected to which ballast wire from the first connector. I understand that blue, blue, red and yellow go to the first light set-up. blue and blue on one side and red and yellow on the other side. Does it matter on the connector which side the the red gets connected to on the one side. You know what I mean?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Yes I understand fully what your saying, and NO it doesn't matter which side of the endcap it goes too.....As long as they are connected completing the circuit.....
 
scottnlisa

scottnlisa

Member
Originally Posted by acrylic51
http:///forum/post/3280378
Yes I understand fully what your saying, and NO it doesn't matter which side of the endcap it goes too.....As long as they are connected completing the circuit.....
I really appreciate your help. I just took all the old wiring off the connectors. Now, I just need to get some lights picked out. Can you help with this? I have a 125g FOWLR. I know I want to go 4 48" lights but not sure what brand or type. Can you send me some links so i can start to get some ordered? Thanks
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I prefer and don't/won't use anything other than UV Lighting Company T-12 lamps.....you'll find them listed as UV. I love their actinics (03). I use their bulbs with the internal reflectors.
 
scottnlisa

scottnlisa

Member
Originally Posted by acrylic51
http:///forum/post/3280401
I prefer and don't/won't use anything other than UV Lighting Company T-12 lamps.....you'll find them listed as UV. I love their actinics (03). I use their bulbs with the internal reflectors.
I found the actinics(03) but what about the 10,000K version? Are the acnitic white the same thing?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Yes they are.....depending what look your actually going for you might want to consider the 50/50 over the 10k. I thought the 10k were a bit overbearing for me....JMO though.....
 
scottnlisa

scottnlisa

Member
Originally Posted by acrylic51
http:///forum/post/3280408
Yes they are.....depending what look your actually going for you might want to consider the 50/50 over the 10k. I thought the 10k were a bit overbearing for me....JMO though.....
So what are the 50/50 called then? I can't find 50/50 under UV lighting company
 
scottnlisa

scottnlisa

Member
Originally Posted by acrylic51
http:///forum/post/3280502
Thanks Bang....I have a hard time with their new name....I'm use to URI myself
How does it look? Can you send me a pic? Will the VHO's be brighter and more white than the lights I am using right now. Will it hurt the fish or LR? If I go 48" should I go 4 bulbs?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
What kind of bulbs are you currently using? Yes there will be a difference in appearance from the T-8 which your currently using vs the T-12 your switching too. I don't have any pics, but I can guarantee, better performance with the URI bulbs with the internal reflectors than what you currently have. No it won't harm your LR or fish.......
 
scottnlisa

scottnlisa

Member
Originally Posted by acrylic51
http:///forum/post/3280561
What kind of bulbs are you currently using? Yes there will be a difference in appearance from the T-8 which your currently using vs the T-12 your switching too. I don't have any pics, but I can guarantee, better performance with the URI bulbs with the internal reflectors than what you currently have. No it won't harm your LR or fish.......
I am currently using 4 36" bulbs
 
scsinet

scsinet

Active Member

Originally Posted by scottnlisa
http:///forum/post/3280264
Right now I am running 4 36" T-8's. 2 lights are actinics and 2 are 10,000K. The problem I am having is that my lights don't come on in the morning unless I whiggle and turn the bulbs then they turn on.
I didn't read through the whole thread in detail, but it doesn't look like this got answered.
The reason the lights are doing this is because of a lack of grounded reflectors. Most rapid start magnetic fluorescent ballasts like you have require the lamps to be mounted within 1/2" of a grounded metal reflector spanning the length of the lamp. It looks as though the sockets are mounted on a wood backer, which is almost certainly your problem.
Without going into electronic nitty-gritty, the reflector adds capacitance that assists the lamp in starting. Your hand also adds capacitance, which is why it starts when you grab the lamp. I'd wager that if you just placed your hand around the lamp and ran it gently from one side to the other a couple times it would light, without any wiggling.
You need to add a reflector as I specified that is grounded to the power cord AND to the ballast's metal case, or you need to replace the ballast with an electronic such as an Icecap or an instant start style.
 
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