Wiring WH7 Ballat ( VHO )

[Toooloud]

I have this layout on how to wire a workhorse 7 ballast.. Just wondering whey it shows.. connecting the 2 reds.. Then running a single line to the bulb just to split them again to connect them to the Endcaps? Can i not just run both Red wire straight into endcap.. one wire into each of the 2 holes?

Thanks
Mike

[IJO]

I took 3 of the red wires and had them go into the first bulb... a bridge at the other end and then the yellow connected the second bulb. Works like a charm

IJO

[fishy_business]

I live in Brockville (ottawa,kingston area) where can I buy one of these ballasts,and how much are they?

[IJO]

[welcome2]

Welcome to AC fishy_business!!

If you have access to a litemor close by... you can get them there... or you can order them here at AC... email me at ijo@aquaria.ca if your having a hard time finding them.

IJO

[fishy_business]

Thanks for the help and info IJO

[nickb]

IJO's suggestion has the two bulbs in series (I just wired mine up that way following your suggestion and it works fine). The orginal Fulham posting has them in parallel. Both should work. I read on RC that Fulham won't warranty the ballast unless you follow their parallel diagram. Don't know if that matters (ir is true).

In the original Fulham diagram, I don't see the second spliting of the reds. That does happen in IJO's approach. As I understand it, each red wire carries 55W. In order to run a 75 or 96W tube, you need the power from two red wires. I assume that the endcaps require the full wattage to be presented at both connectors. Hence, you combine the 2 reds to produce a 110 W line, and then split that to provide the same wattage to each connector.

Could you combine a VHO and PC run from the same ballast?

Nick.

[Toooloud]

but im just looking to run 2 VHO 110 watt Bulbs from each ballast.. i have 2 ..lol

and the water proof endcaps have 2 slots for wires.. So can i not just run each red line into the back of the 2 encaps.. so 4 all together going into the 4 slots ( 2 each Endcap ) then the other ends endcaps run the single yellow and split it off into all 4 slots? or would i only need 1 yellow wire going to each endcap.

[Toooloud]

so is this all i have to do ?

From the ballast!

Connect both sets of RED Wires together.. Now making 2 red wires comming from the ballast.. Each of these RED wires go into a Slot on the 2 endcaps..

The Split the Yellow Wire and run each of them to the 2 opisite endcaps! .

making 110 Watts going to each encap... ?

[Toooloud]

anyone?

Looking to do this soon.. as soon as i can get the reply im looking for :)

[IJO]

Not sure Mike... the way I explained it above is the way I have mine wired and they aer working fine... I only used 3 of the 4 red wires though.

IJO

[Toooloud]

3 of the 4.. but are you driving 110 watt VHOS?

[IJO]

yeah 2 4 foot lamps... 1 Actinic and 1 Aquasun. They fire every time no problems at all. I think I'm actually overdriving them as there is more than 110 watts going into the first tube but then again.. I'm just guessing. One thing I do know... they are just as bright if not brighter than the HelloLights setup.

IJO

[Toooloud]

So i s hould run them somthing like this?

http://www.reefaquariumguide.com/photos/data/500/1169lighting.jpg

[IJO]

The left side is almost the way I have it cept I use 3 red wires... the right side is a bridge... 2 wires... one going to each end in the caps

IJO

[Bvoss]

Toooloud,

You've got it right. That is exactly how I am running my 2 48" VHO actinics. Works great, and it is a nice clean installation. Only 2 wires coming out of the hood and nothing dangling around inside.

Bill