T5 Ballasts - Extending Wires

[IanF]

Another question - the ballasts for my T5 tubes have always been a very tight fit behind the hood, and I'd love to be able to relocate them to the floor beside the tank - but the wires from the ballast to the tube connectors are too short.

Can I cut the wires, and solder some additional length into place (obviously of similar diameter wire)? Are the ballasts sensitive to very small changes in the resistance within the ballast-tube circuit, or will this be as easy as it sounds?

Thanks in advance

Ian

 

[SkiFletch]

Another question - the ballasts for my T5 tubes have always been a very tight fit behind the hood, and I'd love to be able to relocate them to the floor beside the tank - but the wires from the ballast to the tube connectors are too short.

Can I cut the wires, and solder some additional length into place (obviously of similar diameter wire)? Are the ballasts sensitive to very small changes in the resistance within the ballast-tube circuit, or will this be as easy as it sounds?

Thanks in advance

Ian

They're not that sensetive within reason Ian. Don't try to go extending wires like 50', but if you want to add an extra 5-10 feet of wire, I don't see why not. Just make sure you use thick gague wire. Not sure if UK guys use the same measures as we do in the States, but around here I'd reccomend 14-16 gague wire at least. And soldering is not the best of choices as it can lead to high contact resistance if done improperly (even by the experienced and best-intentioned). You're better off using wire nuts or crimp connectors with nice physical attachments/joints

 

[drag]

They're not that sensetive within reason Ian. Don't try to go extending wires like 50', but if you want to add an extra 5-10 feet of wire, I don't see why not. Just make sure you use thick gague wire. Not sure if UK guys use the same measures as we do in the States, but around here I'd reccomend 14-16 gague wire at least. And soldering is not the best of choices as it can lead to high contact resistance if done improperly (even by the experienced and best-intentioned). You're better off using wire nuts or crimp connectors with nice physical attachments/joints

i agree you not giong to have any problems extending the wires a bit.