Ballast for URI VHO

[dakar]

Anyone know for sure if a Fulham Workhorse 5 ballast will fire a URI 46.5" Actinic VHO (110w) tube? Their website calls for a WH7 or 8, but they don't seem to list any VHO diagrams for the WH5 so that leaves some room for speculation.

I have an extra WH5 collecting dust and would like to employ it for our prop tank. The WH5 is rated at 128W max, but can't find the real starting wattage needed for these tubes.

I could drop down to the 36" 95w tube to allow for a little breathing room if I knew for certain the WH5 can fire a VHO.

The easy option would be to just run a pair of 40w NO tubes, I've got at least half a dozen T12 NO ballasts, and some T8's as well that I know can drive a pair of them, but canopy space is going to be a premium over the 55g, only have 12 inches to deal with, and competing for space will be a pair of 250w halides that need to run in parallel with tank, not to mention VHO means I can get away without reflectors.

Thoughts?

[graphixx]

tagging along, this is not my area of expertise!!!!

[jerryc]

Their is some diagrams around but cant remember where i seen them
i was thanking on their website but maybe not.
Ill try to find it if i can

[jerryc]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Go back to fulham website and look at T5 HO shod give you the info you need#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#will look something like this if Thea will do one shod do the other still haven't fond#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#the one i remember#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG alt="image file name: 2k8b10f5716b.gif" src="http://www.captivereefing.com/richedit/upload/2k8b10f5716b.gif" border=0#ed_cl#is#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[dakar]

Jerry thanks for the pic, though wiring it up isn't the problem, I just trying to figure out if a WH5 has enough *umph* to start the VHO tube without letting all the smoke fall out. Specs say it has enough output to keep it running, just not certain on the startup current needed.

Hoping someone else has tried this already. Figured I'd try something new today and actually ask others beforehand and do a little research. Thus breaking the tradition of blowing something up just cause it seemed like a good idea.

[Blk_Lotus]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Shouldn't mess with tradition you know. Makes for bad heirlooms, and definitely takes some of the excitement (generally in the form of anxiety coupled with anticipation) out of the process.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[dakar]

#ed_op#div#ed_cl#Shouldn't mess with tradition you know.
Makes for bad heirlooms, and definitely takes some of the excitement
(generally in the form of anxiety coupled with anticipation) out of the
process.#ed_op#/div#ed_cl##ed_op#br#ed_cl#
#ed_op#br#ed_cl#
Those words of wisdom sound like they orginate from someone who has
never grabbed the business lead of a hot ballast.... the excitement
generated comes from the flow of electrons through your hand and arm as
they are searching for a path the ground :lol:#ed_op#br#ed_cl#

[jerryc]

OK done some more checking a workhorse 5 can handle 110 watts so you are border line but will work or shod for one 46.5 with is 110 watts its possible
that it may shorten the life of one or both

[davejnz]

My friend uses the WH7's to fire VHO's