Which VHO ballast?? Help

[StirCrazy]

Adam let me know when you get it befor you hook it up maby we could try a exparament [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Steve

[smokinreefer]

is there a workhorse that will run 6' bulbs?

i already have 2 40W NO actinics running on my tank now, can i just swap out the NO ballast for a WH7 and use the existing wiring and endcaps to overrun the bulbs that i am currently using?

adding stronger actinics was last on my list of things to do, but if i can just swap out a $55 ballast and get near VHO output from cheap actinics, then that would be cool.

thanks for the input, much appreciated.

[StirCrazy]

hey that "near vho output" from a NO is verry misleading.. and it is comenly used when using NO in a icecap and compared to a vho in a ice cap.. the reasone people say it is because a over driven NO is close to a under driven VHO. as for will the work horse over drive a NO bulb... I don't know.. maby Adam will let me try it on a NO bulb and take a reading of the power when he gets his..

Steve

[titus]

Hello,

For the account thing, maybe someday I can call them up to see what I can do. At the moment, I'm a bit busy working on a few different things here.

As for the IceCap pricing posted by Darren, I'll leave the endcaps and harness out. You can always go to HD to get a regular florescent endcap. This is what I use and John (J&L) use at home. So the IceCap actually is not as expensive.

[StirCrazy]

why would you leave the harnes out? you need that .. unless there is a way to make one your self witht he plug that fits into the ice cap.. the end caps are the same for all.. water proof ones to be safe.. I use normal caps on my fresh tank but with salt creap I wouldent use them in a salt system... but who knows..

Steve

[DJ88]

Titus,

Do you know somewhere you can get the harness for an IC ballast? I'd prefer not to go messing around with the pin connectors. The harness makes things a lot easier on the icecap. It comes bare. No wires or nuttin. Tho I do think new ballasts come with a harness now that I think about it. hmm..

As for the end caps.. For the peace of mind I went sealed. Too many times on ship things have failed due to corrosion when they looked fine.. But that ismy choice.. [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[ 03 January 2002: Message edited by: DJ88 ]

[titus]

Hello,

I have a harness came with the 660 so I never knew why they sell extra harnesses. Actually mine was bought like what... 2-3 years ago?

As for the end caps, ya it'll be nice to have them and I'll most likely get them if I can go back to change things. But the regular stuff serve me just fine all this time.

[StirCrazy]

hehe now days like anything else, everything is sold seperate. for a 660 and a harnes you are looking at 300 now. which is the main reason I started looking for alternatives.

Steve

[titus]

Hello,

I forgot how the harness looks like exactly but I think it's some standard part that you can get from electronics store like DigiKey or even RP Electronics and Active Electronics. That way you can rig your harness with flexible stranded wires. I really hate those solid core ones. Too hard to bend. Imagine they use that for car audio speakers, routing through all those seats and holes and panels. Insane.

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

Troy,

The 6 month thing. I was referring to the mythical replacement time for VHO lamps when a tar ballast is used. Since we don't understand / haven't proven how Icecap is able to extend the life of a VHO lamp, I assume that the workhorse 7 would damage the VHO like the tar ballast.

Shao,

The exact same ballast (WH7) can drive the 6 foot and even the 8 foot tubes. 6 foot are called F72VHO for VHOs and F72HOs for the reduced VHOs (basically HOs). So, just use those numbers to figure out the wiring diagram (as it turns out...the 2,3, 4, 6 and 8 foot have the same wiring diagram).

BTW, you can get the waterproof caps from Albrite too [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] Don't know the price, but it might be cheaper from them.

Adam and Steve,

Just in case you don't have it, be sure to ask for the Fulham catalog when you visit Albrite. The catalog has all of the wiring diagrams.

Titus,

Actually, solid wires are suppose to sound better [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] The interface between strands (insulation, oxide and etc) adds a non-linear component to the audio transmission. But...most people can't tell the difference because the rest of their equipment is causing more problems than the stranded wire.


- Victor.