Workhorse Ballast question

[snakeblitz33]

Hello guys and gals,
So, I have been looking and pondering over forums and different websites for the last few days... and I have a question about a workhorse ballast. I hope someone can help me out.
The name of the ballast is:

Fulham Workhorse 8 WH8-120-L

(4) Lamp - F48T8/HO - 120 Volt - Instant Start - 0.87 Ballast Factor




Stock Code



BF-WH8120LC















Brand



Fulham















Family



Workhorse 8















Part No.



WH8-120-L















Voltage



120 Volt















Ballast Factor



0.87















Height



1 in.















Width



1.72 in.















Length



18.25 in.







yle="background-color: rgb(244, 247, 250);">






Maximum Current



1.8 Amps













Maximum Power



220 Watts















Operates



(4) F48T8/HO















Start Temp. (Min)



-20 Deg. F















Power Factor



90%















Start Method



Instant Start















Type



Electronic Fluorescent















Weight



2.125 lb.















UL Listed



Type 1 Outdoor















Warranty



5 Years



According to the spec sheet, I looked it up and it's the same ballast you can use for six T5HO bulbs (that add up to 220 watts or less) that you can wire in linear. Can someone confirm or deny this? Is there anything to look out for while setting up this retrofit kit?

 

[snakeblitz33]

 

[snakeblitz33]

I believe I saw someone else use this same ballast on another forum for his turf algae scrubber. It appeared to be set up with six bulbs, but I couldn't tell if they were T5HO or not. I would like to use this ballast for my main display tank lights if I can.
I have a link to the Fulham Workhorse ballast chart - so that someone can really confirm it for me, or if I am not looking at the chart correctly??? help.
Here's a link to the Fulham workhorse brochure/ballast chart...
http://www.1000bulbs.com/pdf/Fulham-Lamp-Chart-brochure.pdf

 

[snakeblitz33]

Best of all, if the ballast can support six 24 watt T5HO bulbs then I'll be saving myself around 300$ with this little DIY retrofit kit. The ballast itself is only $48 plus S&H.
Any thoughts?
On a side note - If this is a good ballast to buy and will support what I think it will... I might go ahead and buy a second unit for 3 lights and have dawn/daylight/dusk timer on my little 20g. I'm so happy that I have found this ballast! Other ballasts on fish sites cost $50 and you can only wire in two T5 bulbs.

 

[2quills]

That ballast will power up to 4 - 48" 54w bulbs, yes. You need T5 endcaps of course. BTW linear is just a term used to describe the strait tube style bulbs.

 

[snakeblitz33]

BTW, I'm pretty sure that the link that I posted is by far not a competitor site, but if it is - I'm really sorry. I think it's a direct link to a brochure for Fulham Workhorse ballasts... so I don't see why it would be "bad" Anyways, if it is, my apologies.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Ohh, I see. I wasn't sure what linear really meant. I thought it meant the way it was wired together. That's good to know. Four 54 watt t5's, OR Six 24watt t5's. I'm going for the 6 24watts. Yes, I will have to buy the water proof end caps and some bulb clamps but I think it's definitely work the value. I know that it's better to use individual reflectors for t5 lighting, but I am not going to spend 20$ for each reflector. I would rather use some highly polished flashing and bend it to the way I need it. or even just screw it up there and not worry about reflecting it until I can get the money.
So, what do you all think? Three actinics, three daylights? Four daylights and two actinics? ... oh the possibilities.

 

[snakeblitz33]

So, can anyone tell me what the difference is between shunted and non-shunted end caps and which ones I might need for that workhorse ballast?

 

[2quills]

Sent you some info that should help explain it.