Ballast Wiring

melvinudawl · 12/12/2008, 06:34 PM

Stupid question...when you buy a ballast separate from the fixture, do you have do any wiring? or are there standard hookups you just plug in?

Thanks!

WaterKeeper · 12/12/2008, 07:24 PM

That depends; a magnetic made for the type of lights you have, is fairly easy to wire. A multipurpose electronic is more involved as it is designed to run several different tubes and in multiple configuration. It really is not all that involved as they do supply diagrams of how to get the tubes you have wired. If you can follow the color coding then it should be simple even for the beginner.

melvinudawl · 12/12/2008, 07:33 PM

"If you can follow the color coding then it should be simple even for the beginner."

That a pretty big assumption...you've never seen my handy work

I'm looking at a 6 bulb T5 system with Icecap ballasts (one 4 bulb, one 2). Just concerned I would turn them into a fire trap if there was any real DIY wiring involved.

Thanks!

WaterKeeper · 12/12/2008, 07:50 PM

Here is the link to the Ice Cap Wiring Diagram Page. You'll be wiring the one marked 660/ 4-Lamp Configuration. It will take connecting 12 wires but the are color coded. The 440 is similar but has less connections to make.

If you find it daunting then maybe a handy friend can help.

stricknine · 12/12/2008, 08:09 PM

A fluorescant consists of two parts; the ballast and the tombstones(sockets the lamp leads twist into.

For the four lamp ballast; this will come with two different colours on one side, and two pairs of colours on the other. there is a wiring diagram on the ballast. For two of the four lamps you will have to connect the tombstones on the right side with colour A1 jumpered between the two right tombstones, and according to the wiring diagram on the ballast, use the corresponding colours(which will be a pair of wires) for the same tombstones on the left. (A2) Repeat for the remainder of wires.

For the 2 lamp: Same as above but you dont have to differenciate between which left pair goes with which right colour.

For the tombstones: They are cheap. I suggest you go to a home depot or electrical wholesaler and replace with new. If not there are two ways: cut the leads from the tombstones to the ballast and splice the new wires to the old ones terminated on the old tombstone (which I would avoid if possible-another connection point means another potential fail point) For new tombstones, the wire is push fit into the connection point. If keeping old ones, pull on the wire a bit and twist the tombstone. It will wiggle its way out and just stab in the new wire. Make sure it is a tight fit!

**the biggest electrical hazzards are loose connections. If they are loose they will arc and spark and burn the house down. (potentially) just make sure the wire is concealed, tight connections, and you will be ok.

Good luck.

(when I first started as an electrical apprentice, my boss warned me: When we screw up, the place burns to the ground...hopefully noone burns with it. Do it right, and if not too sure ask

r hire someone)

melvinudawl · 12/12/2008, 08:26 PM

thanks guys, just what I was looking for!

WaterKeeper · 12/12/2008, 09:54 PM

First time I heard the tube sockets called tombstones. You really want to get the endcaps, I mean tombstones, that are waterproof (Icecap sells them). It helps prevent corrosion of the contacts.

stricknine · 12/12/2008, 10:51 PM

Ha ha ha. Trade talk maybe? Thats all I have ever heard them called, and I have done a lot of retrofit jobs - usually T12 to T8, T5 a bit more popular now too. May be a reason for calling them tombstones if homeowners keep playing with them!

WaterKeeper · 12/12/2008, 10:54 PM

I admit they do somewhat look like tombstones, at least the common household fittings.

melvinudawl · 12/12/2008, 10:59 PM

as for the tombstones, I plan on buying a prebuilt fixture. Looking favorably at an aquatinics with the icecap ballasts. Is it a poor asumption that I'd be ok with the end caps provided? I'm trying to make up my mind between MH w/T5 and T5 only solution.

I think I'd go with the AT-AQIC4800-K 5 lamp VHO model as my T5 only option. It says the 54 watt lamps will operate at 85 watts. Should I not find that confusing?

WaterKeeper · 12/13/2008, 09:07 AM

T-5 tubes can be overdriven to higher than rated outputs using an Icecap or other electronic ballast. The drawback is that the tubes need to be replaced every year while those run at rated output will last closer to two,

If the fixture is for an aquarium then it probably has waterproof endcaps. If not, then it is certainly wise to replace them.

12/12/2008, 06:34 PM	#1
melvinudawl Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: CT Posts: 180	Ballast Wiring Stupid question...when you buy a ballast separate from the fixture, do you have do any wiring? or are there standard hookups you just plug in? Thanks!

12/12/2008, 07:24 PM	#2
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	That depends; a magnetic made for the type of lights you have, is fairly easy to wire. A multipurpose electronic is more involved as it is designed to run several different tubes and in multiple configuration. It really is not all that involved as they do supply diagrams of how to get the tubes you have wired. If you can follow the color coding then it should be simple even for the beginner. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29 Last edited by WaterKeeper; 12/12/2008 at 07:32 PM.

12/12/2008, 07:50 PM	#4
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Here is the link to the Ice Cap Wiring Diagram Page. You'll be wiring the one marked 660/ 4-Lamp Configuration. It will take connecting 12 wires but the are color coded. The 440 is similar but has less connections to make. If you find it daunting then maybe a handy friend can help. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

12/12/2008, 08:09 PM	#5
stricknine Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 989	A fluorescant consists of two parts; the ballast and the tombstones(sockets the lamp leads twist into. For the four lamp ballast; this will come with two different colours on one side, and two pairs of colours on the other. there is a wiring diagram on the ballast. For two of the four lamps you will have to connect the tombstones on the right side with colour A1 jumpered between the two right tombstones, and according to the wiring diagram on the ballast, use the corresponding colours(which will be a pair of wires) for the same tombstones on the left. (A2) Repeat for the remainder of wires. For the 2 lamp: Same as above but you dont have to differenciate between which left pair goes with which right colour. For the tombstones: They are cheap. I suggest you go to a home depot or electrical wholesaler and replace with new. If not there are two ways: cut the leads from the tombstones to the ballast and splice the new wires to the old ones terminated on the old tombstone (which I would avoid if possible-another connection point means another potential fail point) For new tombstones, the wire is push fit into the connection point. If keeping old ones, pull on the wire a bit and twist the tombstone. It will wiggle its way out and just stab in the new wire. Make sure it is a tight fit! **the biggest electrical hazzards are loose connections. If they are loose they will arc and spark and burn the house down. (potentially) just make sure the wire is concealed, tight connections, and you will be ok. Good luck. (when I first started as an electrical apprentice, my boss warned me: When we screw up, the place burns to the ground...hopefully noone burns with it. Do it right, and if not too sure askr hire someone)

12/12/2008, 09:54 PM	#7
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	First time I heard the tube sockets called tombstones. You really want to get the endcaps, I mean tombstones, that are waterproof (Icecap sells them). It helps prevent corrosion of the contacts. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

12/12/2008, 07:33 PM	#3
melvinudawl Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: CT Posts: 180	"If you can follow the color coding then it should be simple even for the beginner." That a pretty big assumption...you've never seen my handy work I'm looking at a 6 bulb T5 system with Icecap ballasts (one 4 bulb, one 2). Just concerned I would turn them into a fire trap if there was any real DIY wiring involved. Thanks!

12/12/2008, 08:26 PM	#6
melvinudawl Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: CT Posts: 180	thanks guys, just what I was looking for!

12/12/2008, 10:51 PM	#8
stricknine Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 989	Ha ha ha. Trade talk maybe? Thats all I have ever heard them called, and I have done a lot of retrofit jobs - usually T12 to T8, T5 a bit more popular now too. May be a reason for calling them tombstones if homeowners keep playing with them!

12/12/2008, 10:54 PM	#9
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I admit they do somewhat look like tombstones, at least the common household fittings. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

12/12/2008, 10:59 PM	#10
melvinudawl Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: CT Posts: 180	as for the tombstones, I plan on buying a prebuilt fixture. Looking favorably at an aquatinics with the icecap ballasts. Is it a poor asumption that I'd be ok with the end caps provided? I'm trying to make up my mind between MH w/T5 and T5 only solution. I think I'd go with the AT-AQIC4800-K 5 lamp VHO model as my T5 only option. It says the 54 watt lamps will operate at 85 watts. Should I not find that confusing? Last edited by melvinudawl; 12/12/2008 at 11:52 PM.

12/13/2008, 09:07 AM	#11
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	T-5 tubes can be overdriven to higher than rated outputs using an Icecap or other electronic ballast. The drawback is that the tubes need to be replaced every year while those run at rated output will last closer to two, If the fixture is for an aquarium then it probably has waterproof endcaps. If not, then it is certainly wise to replace them. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29