Best Ballast for T5 HO??

[Giovanni]

What is the best ballast for T5 HO?? I will be running two or three 3 footers. Thanks

 

[bpd964]

Icecap 430 or 660

 

[jck3120]

Icecap if you want to overdrive them but they are more money. Otherwise I'd probably use a workhorse ballast...

 

[Giovanni]

I thought T5 HO required a specific ballast so the bulbs will last the advertised life. I also thought the workhorse were for regular T5 and not HO? I have a WH5 running two VHOs. Is there a WH specificly for T5 HO? Thanks again.

 

[Rouselb]

i run (4) T5 HO on a icecap 660..awesome for last 6 months

 

[ChemE]

If you want to normally drive the bulbs, check out IceCap's Dynamic ballasts, Slyvania's Osram ballasts, or Triads.

 

[Roland Jacques]

you'll get a lot of opinions on ballasts heres one more. it mainly depends on what most important to you.
1. brightest burning without fans (??? its preety close. look for higher Ballast factor)
2. brightest burning with fans (ice cap)
3. longest lamp life (Prostart/softstart Sylvania / Quicktronic IMO)

Workhorse dont fit in a best at anything with HO T-5s

 

[REMF]

FWIW I have 2 WH 7's that have been going strong for over a year now on my T5ho retro, no problem's at all.

Yes the WH 5 will run T5ho's, it will not OD them. In fact if you go to the Fulham site and use the find the right ballast for T5 HO linear and the number and length of lamps it will show the proper ballast.

 

[Giovanni]

Thanks for the info. I am mostly interested in no fans and long life. Just using them for sup actinic.

BTW

ChemE, How do you change that little line below your name?

REMF, I love the avatar and the sig. line.

 

[Icefire]

Workhorse5 will drive 3x39w 36" T5HO.

Workhorse are true HO ballast.

 

[Giovanni]

I have a PFO VHO retro that recently burned out one of the ballast. I opened it up and what is in side, WH 5. I also saw a guy on here running PC lights with a WH5. So the WH5 is good for PC, VHO and T5 HO? I thought read somewhere a TRUE T5 HO ballast was for the T5 only. Shows what I know. Thanks I can just buy caps, reflectors and bulbs and run three of the one WH5 I have left.

 

[Roland Jacques]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9159386#post9159386 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Icefire
Workhorse5 will drive 3x39w 36" T5HO.

Workhorse are true HO ballast.

There are not T-5 HO ballast, not really.

they just dont burn HO t-5 as bright as "true" HO t-5 ballast.
Grims test put them at about 95% bright as "true" HO T-5 ballast

 

[Giovanni]

Does that mean the bulb will last longer on it than a ballast that runs at 100%?

 

[Roland Jacques]

WH dont have auto shutoff feature, when bulb burn out. i beleive they are instant start also. WH arent bad but the question was whats best. WH does not fit the answer in any catagory i no of when it comes to t-5 HO lamps

 

[Giovanni]

I see, a Sylvania with soft start would be better a prolonging bulb life.

 

[Roland Jacques]

soft start ballasts prolong lamp life. keeping lamps cool is another way (not overdriving or fans)

 

[Giovanni]

I will look for a ballast that does't overdrive and has softstart. I will run 3 to 4 39Watt bulbs. Does Sylvania sell a ballast to fit the bill?

 

[Roland Jacques]

heres some info
http://www.sylvania.com/content/display.scfx?id=003682176

 

[RichConley]

The Osram Sylvania Quicktronics are pretty much the best. I picked up four 2x54 quicktronic's on ebay for like $50 total. Check there,.

 

[Giovanni]

Were they new?