Which VHO ballast?? Help

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

Probably, the easiest way is to get a Workhorse 7 ( www.fulham.com for details and wiring diagram). Its electronic and it will give you full power to your VHOs (and it will also have the 6 month thing too). One ballast per tube -- but only 75% of capacity is used

If you want to reduce the output by a little bit, but increase the life of your tubes....then you can drive the VHOs using the 2xF48HO. One ballast per 2 tubes. In this mode, it is also safe enough to drop in NOs to overdrive them like Icecap.

So...yah. 5 year warranty and they are about $70 each (I think).

The only problem was that I couldn't get Workhorse 7 in November -- they weren't in production yet. BUT...they are suppose to be in this month. So, a Workhorse 7 is basically two Workhorse 5s...so you can do it that way too.

The other problem is that these ballasts are instant start ballasts. So, they won't have the funky starting mechanism that Icecap has...which is suppose to enhance tube life. I expect a 30% life reduction due to instant start (vs Icecap start).

BUT...if I were you I would spring for the Iwasaki setup (1x250W). Instead of getting okay light...you'll get awesome lighting.

Hey...if we continue to do this DIY lighting stuff, we should get an account at Albrite and other stores. Say, we work for the reef club or something. That way we can get some kind of discount. Titus, could we use Canreef to start an account ?

- Victor.

[ 03 January 2002: Message edited by: reefburnaby ]