Would This Work

[demonmagus]

http/www.bltdirect.com/product.php?pid=5...Ballast+54+Watt


could I use that with arcadia T5 tubes? how would I connect it?


thanks

 

[demonmagus]

no- one?

 

[newtotropical]

Hi As a lighting engineer by trade i can yes!! You do need to match the wattage of your tube to that of that ballast. There will be a scematic diagram on the ballast.

Hope this helps

 

[Underwurlde]

I see no reason why they shouldn't work as long as you match or exceed the power rating of the bulb you intend to drive.

However, many of the ballast transformers come with leads that have special end caps for the tubes that have a higher IP rating than usual due to the close proximity to water - not having this could be dangerous and could possibly foreshorten the life of the bulbs.

Andy

 

[newtotropical]

BTW you might find one cheaper at an Elecrical Wholesaler Try Rexel Senate (thats who i work for)

 

[demonmagus]

ah ok, but one thing I can't see is how would I connect it up to the tube, it doesn't appear to have any leads

 

[Underwurlde]

See above warning. You should be able to get them separately - more cost though..

 

[newtotropical]

Hi thought this was as a replacment. Underwurlde is correct you do need IP rated lamp holders. These come moulded onto flying leads that then connect to the ballast via terminals on the ballast

 

[demonmagus]

do you know where I can buy these cables, or will I just have to buy the proper aquarium ballasts

 

[Underwurlde]

By the time you've finished farting about trying to get the right ones for the bulb, wiring them up blah blah blah, you might as well just get the proper aquarium ones.

Of course, becasue the product has the word 'Aquarium' in it, expect heavy price mark ups.

Andy

 

[demonmagus]

exactly lol, oh well no T5's for me