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Thread: old PC ballast

  1. #1
    Join Date
    10-29-2003
    Location
    NW Austin (Parmer + McNeil)
    Posts
    296

    Default old PC ballast

    So, I have an old power compact ballast just sitting around collecting dust. I got to thinking that I could possibly use it (rewired to work) to run T5 HO bulbs. Does anyone know if this would work? I've heard that PC bulbs are just T5 bulbs bent in a U-Shape, but I don't know for sure. It's a 55W ballast, but I also have a 65W to try as well.

    Thoughts?
    “Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.”

    -Jim

  2. #2

    Default

    You will have to find a wiring diagram to fit the ballast to the lamp. I am not into lets wire it this way and see if it works. Workhorse will run both T5HO and CFL's.

  3. #3

    Default

    I have an Oceanic 2x55W PC strip light (electronic ballast) that I rewired/retro'd T5HOs in. It has worked fine for a couple years now. That said, if it had not been an electronic ballast, I would have gone with a Workhorse like alton suggested.
    Custom Acrylic 180g RR, acrylic sump, 45BR frag tank, 18g fuge, 250+/- lbs LR, Euro Reef CS8-2, 10x39W T5, softies, LPS, and a few SPS.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    10-29-2003
    Location
    NW Austin (Parmer + McNeil)
    Posts
    296

    Default

    Yeah, I have a Workhorse already, so I'm not looking to add a ballast out of necessity, just because I have the parts. And I too am not into experimental wiring, thats what meters and specs are for.

    The wiring diagram will be the hardest part since this is a CSL ballast, and they are no-more. But it did come with one originally, since it was sold as a retro.

    Has anyone actually tried this with a PC ballast?
    “Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.”

    -Jim

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