Which T5 Ballasts

[BfishLpond78]

Hello,

I need new T5 ballast for an old 6 bulb tek light, doesn't need to be super fancy as its going over a shallow frag tank. Can anyone recommend a decent ballast that will power these?

Thanks!

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

Google Fulham Workhorse T5HO Ballast and then select the right watts. That's the one for that fixture.

 

[Water Dog]

That particular fixture runs Fulham Workhorse 5 (2 bulbs) & 7 (4 bulbs) ballasts. They are pulse start ballasts. If you want to maximize the life and efficiency of your T5s, you could get HEP or Philips Centium Advance programmed start ballasts. However, that would require rewiring the endcaps from shunted to non shunted.

 

[CC13]

To fire this back up are these the ballasts?

http://www.lighting.philips.ca/prof...cent/fluorescent-fixed-output-gear/centium-t5
https://www.ilighting.com/philips-advance-centium-t5-icn-2s54-90c-n.html

 

[alton]

Take a picture of the old ballast and place them in this post

 

[CC13]

Take a picture of the old ballast and place them in this post

There is no old ballast I am going to do a DIY retrofit lol

 

[Water Dog]

Yes... those are the ones. Always look at the specs and make sure they specify “programmed start”, which these do.

 

[CC13]

Yes... those are the ones. Always look at the specs and make sure they specify “programmed start”, which these do.

Awesome thank you.

And I wanted to have 60" T5 HO bulbs on one ballast how do I know if one ballast will power 2 or 4 lights? Or should I buy 1 ballast for every 2 bulbs?

 

[Water Dog]

My understanding is that programmed start ballasts only handle 2 bulbs per ballast. When you see a ballast handling 4 bulbs, it is most likely a rapid start ballast.

 

[CC13]

Yes... those are the ones. Always look at the specs and make sure they specify “programmed start”, which these do.

Awesome thank you.

And I wanted to have 60" T5 HO bulbs on one ballast how do I know if one ballast will power 2 or 4 lights? Or should I buy 1 ballast for every 2 bulbs?

My understanding is that programmed start ballasts only handle 2 bulbs per ballast. When you see a ballast handling 4 bulbs, it is most likely a rapid start ballast.

Ok thank you for the clarification. Also one more question, would I not want a ballast that operates 80w per bulb? This one indicates that "ballast operates 1 or 2 54-watt T5 lamps"


https://www.ilighting.com/philips-advance-centium-t5-icn-2s54-90c-n.html

 

[Water Dog]

Yes, you’d want a 2 x 80 watt rated ballast.

 

[rc1626]

That particular fixture runs Fulham Workhorse 5 (2 bulbs) & 7 (4 bulbs) ballasts. They are pulse start ballasts. If you want to maximize the life and efficiency of your T5s, you could get HEP or Philips Centium Advance programmed start ballasts. However, that would require rewiring the endcaps from shunted to non shunted.

I recently switched out the ballasts in my Hamilton Technologies Aruba Sun dual T5 fixtures from Workhorse 5's to Sylvania programmed start ballasts. Hope I'm ok? The Aruba Sun fixtures use unshunted end caps from what I can see (researched). Never knew there was two different types until reading this.

 

[Water Dog]

Yes, the wiring is different for programmed start ballasts. If you followed the wiring diagram printed on the ballast or with the accompanying instructions, you should be okay.

 

[CC13]

Yes, the wiring is different for programmed start ballasts. If you followed the wiring diagram printed on the ballast or with the accompanying instructions, you should be okay.

Not to bother, but is there a lighting supply store (not LFS) that you know of for T5 80w ballasts? I am trying to search but online there are millions of options and finding one that's people have used here that are actual T5 ballasts is seemingly challenging.

Is this ballast reliable? Anyone use it?

http://www.lighting.philips.ca/prof...put-gear/centium-t5ho/913701252902_NA/product

 

[rc1626]

Yes, the wiring is different for programmed start ballasts. If you followed the wiring diagram printed on the ballast or with the accompanying instructions, you should be okay.

Yes, followed the wiring diagram on the ballast. I figured it was correct but now knowing puts me at ease.
Thanks so much!

 

[Water Dog]

Although not a Philips Centium Advance, here is the HEP ballast, used for ATI fixtures...

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/2x80w-t5-high-output-ballast-ati.html