RTBS Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Can I run a single T5 Tube from an OSRAM Quicktronic T5 Dual output electronic ballast. I am about to try and retrofit 5 or 6 T5 39W tubes into the hood of my Aquaone AR980 after I have removed the 3 existing T8’s. i have 3 of these Dual Output ballasts I can just squeeze 6 lamps in but am not sure if this will create a possible heat damage issue and melt the clear acrylic lamp cover, maybe 5 would work better? 2 local electrical wholesalers have said you can't run a single lamp from a double ballast but another electrician says its no problem and will work fine. I cannot see any reason why this is not possible. Can any electrician members provide some advise. Kind Regards Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 I'm no sparkie, but when I have a failute on any of my doubles, the other carries on working. Hope that is of some use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNOWKIWI Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Digging deep here!!! but the ballast is to provide the voltage to ionise the gas in the tube, when the starter switch(electronic or electromechanical) opens. If the combined wattage of the tubes is less than the rated wattage of the ballast you should be o.k. Also, some fluoro's have the tube heater elements wired in series, so if one of the heater elements in the tubes open circuits, then you will lose the operation of the other tubes. A good idea is to replace any tubes that look like they are becoming discoloured on the ends, or when they "flick" for a long time before starting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 There are mixups of terminology there. A Dual Output Ballast, is basically two ballasts in one as far as the name suggests, each output will run a bulb independantly. I could confirm this if you tell me how many inputs and outputs your ballasts have and what they're labelled as. There is another technique used by electricians that lets you use two lights on a single ballast, where you can run (for example) 2x20W bulbs off a 40W ballast. In this situation they are run in series, and if one blows then the other must shut off. This may be referred to as a 'Double Ballast'. I imagine this is where the electricians are being confused. Make sure you know what you're doing as you are playing with 230 volts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rexliz Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Sorry to hijack - but I want to do the same with my AR850 - can I ask where you got the ballasts and other necessary equipment (endcaps) from? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTBS Posted January 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Make sure you know what you're doing as you are playing with 230 volts. Thanks for the warning, However since I am an electronics tech by trade and am still here I would like to think I will be OK, ha ha. Tubes, end caps and Osram ballasts came from Rexel Cheers \Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Sweet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Electronic ballasts use high frequency switching to apply the correct voltage or current on the tube. It will depend on the design topology of the ballast. If it's a voltage source then you will likely blow the tube or ballast or both - it will be designed for the run voltage of two tubes. If it's a current source then it will be fine on one tube. Most designs of electronic ballast I've seen for two tubes need to have two tubes connected to work properly. See if you can email the manufacturer to ask, their answer will sort it all out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTBS Posted January 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Thanks guys, I think I will just squeeze the extra lamp in and use all the capacity I have. Will be a tight squeeze but should be OK. I was just a little worried about melting the clear acrylic Light cover on the hood. I would stress too anyone not familiar with working with 220VAC stuff, if you Do It Yourself have a sparky look over your work BEFORE plugging it in and NEVER EVER try and play with your project while it LIVE, bad things can happen. Trust me I know Thanks for all the replies Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 just a little worried about melting Build in a few computer fans to create more airflow, this will help keep things cool. T5s are designed to run at a certain temp, so if it gets to hot they wont work as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTBS Posted January 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 Build in a few computer fans to create more airflow, this will help keep things cool. T5s are designed to run at a certain temp, so if it gets to hot they wont work as well. Thanks for the suggestion, I have a couple of these floating around my workbench I think. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richms Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 If your tubes are squeezed in, then there will be insuficiant gaps between them to let the light from the reflector come down into the tank, and you will only end up making more heat for stuff all increse in lighting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTBS Posted January 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 If your tubes are squeezed in, then there will be insuficiant gaps between them to let the light from the reflector come down into the tank, and you will only end up making more heat for stuff all increse in lighting. Point taken how ever AR980 Lights do not have any reflectors inbuilt apart from the mount. There are no silver style reflectors. Cheap and nasty. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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