Running t5s on vho ballast

[herpboyben]

Can i run t5s on a pfo vho ballast? i know icecaps can run vho, t5, and pc. but can any vho ballast run t5s? thanks
Ben

 

[kgross]

The PFO ballast is normally a Fulham Workhorse ballast so yes it can turn T5 bulbs.
But not every VHO ballast will run T5 bulbs.

Kim

 

[herpboyben]

damn you had to tell me that lol now i have to go spend a bunch of money on new endcaps and stand offs.
thanks thats what i wanted to know but do we have any other opinions?
Ben

 

[addicted2reefin]

some say, that workhorse ballasts arent the best to run t5s on. I have heard things from, they shorted bulb length, they shorten ballast life, they fire inconsistent, but i have never used one.

 

[kgross]

The problem with the workhorse ballasts is that they are instant start ballasts. Fulham will give you the wiring diagrams to run t5HO bulbs with them, but they do not run the bulbs to the t5 specs. T5 ballasts should be a programed start, not an instant start. So yes they are not the best, but they will work. Or sell off your PFO ballasts and get some good real T5 ballasts, might even make money in the trade...

Kim

 

[ksc]

The best thing to do would be to open the ballast box and see what ballast is in there. The ballast should tell you what bulbs it will fire.