Need ballast help

McCrary · 11/20/2007, 02:08 AM

I need to replace a ballast for 3 48" VHO bulbs, can anyone suggest a cheap one (but still works well and won't fry or overdrive the bulbs too bad)? Is there anyway that I could get it at Lowes or Home Depot instead of online?

McCrary · 11/20/2007, 05:35 PM

Bump

DarG · 11/20/2007, 06:21 PM

The IceCap ballasts dont overdrive the VHO's. 48" VHO is 110 watt lamp and that is what the VHO ballasts drive the VHO lamps with. Now, IceCap has a cheaper version of the 660 and the 430. I believe it is the A4. ARO also has VHO ballast that is less expensive than the Icecap as well. I have never seen VHO's at home depot or lowes when VHO's were "in" and I looked. Now maybe I missed them or my local outlest didnt have them but never seen them. With T5's popular in general lighting as well as aquarium and horticulture, HD and Lowes does sell some T5 lighting and I doubt that they would carry VHO now with T5 being at the forefront.

That leaves online or a local lighting supply which can usually order you anything.

Hellolights.com has the ARO ballasts. I think they have the Icecap A4 as well.

McCrary · 11/20/2007, 06:59 PM

Thanks for the response, I was hoping to avoid ordering online as I get $10 in shipping tacked into the order but it looks like I might not be able to avoid that.

DarG · 11/20/2007, 07:54 PM

Thats true but prices would probably be that much higher, atleast, in a brick and mortar. If you have a LFS that caters even a little bit to the reefer, they usually carry the Icecap ballasts. The 430 and 660 anyway. Maybe not the less expensive A4 and not at all likely the ARO ballast.

11/20/2007, 02:08 AM	#1
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	Need ballast help I need to replace a ballast for 3 48" VHO bulbs, can anyone suggest a cheap one (but still works well and won't fry or overdrive the bulbs too bad)? Is there anyway that I could get it at Lowes or Home Depot instead of online? __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

11/20/2007, 05:35 PM	#2
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	Bump __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

11/20/2007, 06:59 PM	#4
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	Thanks for the response, I was hoping to avoid ordering online as I get $10 in shipping tacked into the order but it looks like I might not be able to avoid that. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

11/20/2007, 06:21 PM	#3
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	The IceCap ballasts dont overdrive the VHO's. 48" VHO is 110 watt lamp and that is what the VHO ballasts drive the VHO lamps with. Now, IceCap has a cheaper version of the 660 and the 430. I believe it is the A4. ARO also has VHO ballast that is less expensive than the Icecap as well. I have never seen VHO's at home depot or lowes when VHO's were "in" and I looked. Now maybe I missed them or my local outlest didnt have them but never seen them. With T5's popular in general lighting as well as aquarium and horticulture, HD and Lowes does sell some T5 lighting and I doubt that they would carry VHO now with T5 being at the forefront. That leaves online or a local lighting supply which can usually order you anything. Hellolights.com has the ARO ballasts. I think they have the Icecap A4 as well.

11/20/2007, 07:54 PM	#5
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Thats true but prices would probably be that much higher, atleast, in a brick and mortar. If you have a LFS that caters even a little bit to the reefer, they usually carry the Icecap ballasts. The 430 and 660 anyway. Maybe not the less expensive A4 and not at all likely the ARO ballast.