Tek Light T-5 Retrofit Kits Question again

[German]

Hi guys,
Interesting idea, the work horse ballast does say it will work for T5s. The ballast has a max wattage of 128. I have three red wires connected to the power wire for my ends caps for my pc and the other red wire doing nothing. So I'm guessing each red wire has 32 watts, so I can probably attach two red wires to the T5 ends caps to power one 54W T5 bulb?

BTW, I have two of these ballast, so I can probably power two bulbs on one ballast? If so, this mean I can have a 4 T5 bulbs over my tank?

Two red wire connected probably equal 64W, so I might be over driving the bulbs, right? Shorter life span of the T5 bulbs?

Sounds like a cool cost saving idea from changing from PC to T5s.

German

 

[JagerEinheit]

you can, it will be a tad tight, but itll work. when you do switch over, either put all your corals on the bottom of the tank, or shade, them, they will need reacclimation.

that all being said here is what my tank looked like before and after the switch. before was 2 loa 65w 4550lumen pc lights (they are security lights but work great on tanks for budget softie reefers who dont mind the 6500k yellow) and a coralife t5 dual strip 10k and actinic

the lights from up top

the tank shot

the t5 6 bulb tek

distance shot, notice the darkening of the room by the camera, the lights are on in that room, its trying to compensate for the light from the tank.

 

[Justin74]

German: Yes siree buddy. Two reds to one bulb, giving you a 4 bulb potential with (2)128w ballasts.

-Justin

 

[German]

Hi guys,

Next question, how do you wire up the ends caps for the T5s?
Also, what gauge wire to use to wire up the T5 ends caps?

Thanks,
German

 

[Justin74]

You'll want the standoffs, simply insert the stripped wire into the endcap it has a one directional clamp so you get 1 try.Then once the wires connected to the endcap you snap it into the standoff and mount the standoff. I used 18 gauge.

-Justin

 

[German]

Hi guys,

I got my Sunlight Supply Tek T5 retrokit a couple of days ago.
I was looking at how the power plug is connected to the ballast. The ground is confusing me a bit.

Do I ground on the chasis on of the ballast or there is some sort of connection for the ground, but I would have to remove the ground connection on the power cord and slip it in the supposely a ground socket on the ballast?

Does any one have a pic on this part of the ballast for a T5 retrofit?

Thanks for the help,
German

 

[Justin74]

The ground coming from the power chord yes, should be attached to the chasis of the ballast

-Justin

 

[German]

Thanks Justin,

Here is another question, where do I get the 18 gauge solid wires?
I've went almost everywhere in Rancho, ie. Home Depot, True Value, and OSH, no luck. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
German

 

[Justin74]

Really :/ Home depot is where I got mine.Thats weird, were they out of stock or just dont carry it? You could always go the next size up, will just be a lil stiffer to work with but still workable. Maybe call around for Ace Hardware or Lowes. You can use braided, it just doesnt twist up as well with the solid wires coming from the ballast. But if you have some good splice fittings with the threads lined with metal, should be fine, its the cheap plastic lined threads that can allow the connection to come loose sometimes when wires arent matched.

-Justin

 

[German]

Hi Justin,

They were out. I called Lowe's and they recommended C & C Electrical and Plumbing down on Aubrun road. I'll have to figure out when to get their during work hours.

Looks like these light might be up and running next week.
Maybe I'll try the Home Depot off of E. Bidwell, which is near my work.

Anyway, that for your help.
German

 

[Justin74]

Dang, thats some bad luck. Well theres the homedepot on Roseville Rd too if you can find the time tomorrow 5min from yourreef.

-Justin

 

[goreefer]

Have you tried Radio Shack?
They usually have the single conductor wire in small rolls.