Need help wiring a Fulham WH5 ballast

Discussion in 'Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting' started by Telgar, Mar 22, 2011.

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  1. Telgar

    Telgar Snowflake Eel

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    I have a Workhorse 5 ballast im trying to wire into a canapy i'm building. It is going to drive 4 24w T5-ho bulbs. the problem im having is the fulham wiring diagram is crap!
    Can anyone that can point me to a better diagram or explain the connections better?

    Also, the directions say "3. with linear lamps use a starting aid." what does that mean, there is nothing in their diagrams to show where you might wire that in!
     

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    Telgar, Mar 22, 2011
    Telgar, Mar 22, 2011
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  2. Telgar

    Telgar Snowflake Eel

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    bump
     
    Telgar, Mar 22, 2011
    Telgar, Mar 22, 2011
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  3. jonjonwells

    jonjonwells Great Blue Whale

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    Looks pretty straight forward to me... What are you having issues with?
     
    jonjonwells, Mar 22, 2011
    jonjonwells, Mar 22, 2011
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  4. Telgar

    Telgar Snowflake Eel

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    for starters you have 2 leads coming out of each endcap so according to this I tie all 8 leads from the one side to the yellow lead on the ballast, then each of the 4 red leads gets tied to the 2 leads coming from each of the endcaps on the other end. Is that correct? and whatis the starting aid they talk about? and where does it get wired into the whole mess?
     
    Telgar, Mar 22, 2011
    Telgar, Mar 22, 2011
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  5. jonjonwells

    jonjonwells Great Blue Whale

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    All correct.

    Not sure on the starting aid. I am assuming it is a starting capacitor of some kind, but I am honestly not sure. I would assume that it would install on the yellow lead before any of the fixtures. Otherwise, you would need 4 of them, which doesn't make sense.
     
    jonjonwells, Mar 22, 2011
    jonjonwells, Mar 22, 2011
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  6. reefmonkey

    reefmonkey Giant Squid

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    reefmonkey, Mar 22, 2011
    reefmonkey, Mar 22, 2011
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  7. alpha_03

    alpha_03 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    yes- for multiple bulbs you will need a starter for this type of ballast- ditch this ballast and go with electronic quick or instant start ballast- they have a much better power factor and will not only extend bulb life but increase light output and they greatly decrease energy consumption.

    check out ebay and look for some used ones- they are cheap and usually live a very long life. make sure they are 120v capable.

    I bought 8 Howard dual 54 HO nearly new for 10 bucks each - they are American made and are better then ice cap.

    All 8 work perfectly. matter fo fact three of them are powering my 6 bulb canopy on my 45 gallon.

    BTW, using multiple ballast allow you multiple cords- IE- light timers- keep this in mind too.
     
    alpha_03, Mar 22, 2011
    alpha_03, Mar 22, 2011
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  8. alpha_03

    alpha_03 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    alpha_03, Mar 22, 2011
    alpha_03, Mar 22, 2011
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