workhorse ballast

[hlem]

anyone knows anything about them? quality?

 

[moondoggy4]

They are very good.

 

[hlem]

compare to iceCap, hamiliton, blue wave?

 

[moondoggy4]

I believe that they come on the Aquantics lights, I have one on a retrofit light and I have not had any problems but compared to the ones you listed not better but maybe cheaper. Sorry not that much help.

 

[RokleM]

Actually, they're very BAD for T5's technically according to many experts. They work well for VHO's if I recall properly.

If you supply some details of what you're doing, we might be able to assist more directly.

 

[hlem]

i'm looking into buying this fixture,HQI/T5 . I asked about the ballast that they are using, and warrenty, and according to the seller, they uses workhorse ballast. here is the reply i got.

Unit has 5 year warranty electromagnetic ballast. Unit is made by Workhorse Assemblies.

Ships from north carolina quickly with 5 year warranty + satisfaction guaranteed or your money back policy.

Great unit
muca

Is this worth the trouble trying to save $$$?

 

[Entropy]

Workhorse quality is excellent in my experience. I have been using either a WH7 or WH5 since I stated reefing. I have used them on both T5 and VHO with great results. And at under $30 they are hard to beat. I have never had any issues running them with my T5 actinics.

The MFG is www.fulham.com

 

[RokleM]

Can't directly quote Grim properly since the thread is split/closed, but this is his 2 cents as to why:

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR

The Workhorse is a cheap ballast. It uses slightly more power and produces slightly less output than real T5 ballasts. T5 lamps were designed to be started with a programmed start. The workhorse uses a hard start. The workhorse also lack the end of life circuit that shuts down the ballast should a lamp fail to prevent damage.

The workhorses run the lamps OK but for the price difference you are way better off with the spec T5 ballasts. If you have space issues or happen to have a box of Workhorses laying around why not but just to save a few buck they aren't worth it.

With the costs of T5 ballasts (minimal), in my opinion it's worth getting something that uses a little better one.

 

[Entropy]

I haven't seen any T-5 specific ballasts that will drive 2x54w T-5 bulbs, or 2x39w anywhere near the WH5 price though. A WH5 can be had for under $30, I got mine used for $10. For that price I even swapped out the mag ballast in my kitchen light for one.

I wonder if Grim ever did a output analysis on the WH5 to see how much difference the output is. I haven't seen any noticable damage from the instant start, but I have only been running the T5's for about six months. Never had a problem with the VHO's though.

 

[mrbigshot]

imho i feel end of life is useless, when is the last time you ran a t5 or any aquarium bulb long enough for it to die? we change aour bulbs at a 3rd of there lifetime. if we were running bulbs for 3-4 years it would be in an issue but i dont see how it matters.

 

[Patriot54]

I thought that I read somewhere that the workhorse ballasts just shortent the life of your T5 bulbs, I could be wrong though.

 

[RokleM]

I could only get about 6 months max out of UV Super Actinic bulb before it was running 50% brightness on a workhorse. It killed them with a quickness. Triad or Icecap and they last 12 months with little issues.

 

[luther1200]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15022117#post15022117 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RokleM
I could only get about 6 months max out of UV Super Actinic bulb before it was running 50% brightness on a workhorse. It killed them with a quickness. Triad or Icecap and they last 12 months with little issues.

How did you know they were at 50% brightness?

 

[RokleM]

Replace one of the two and it looks like 175w MH vs 400w MH. 50% is just a rough guess, it's probably even less than that.

 

[luther1200]

I thought it was a Super Actinic T5?

 

[RokleM]

It is... that's the comparison/analogy of brightness levels. I didn't have a PAR meter handy to give you exact numbers on the old/new bulb.

 

[luther1200]

Oh, I got ya.

 

[Bugs825]

I use a Workhorse 5 to light a 96 W quad over my 10 gallon refuge and it has worked perfectly for over 2 years. My macros love it too!

Nathan

 

[Patriot54]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15024689#post15024689 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bugs825
I use a Workhorse 5 to light a 96 W quad over my 10 gallon refuge and it has worked perfectly for over 2 years. My macros love it too!

Nathan

Yeah, but your lights aren't T5.

 

[bvoss57]

I love Workhorse ballasts with VHOs. Old fashioned but effective reliable and cheap.