CU_Reefer Posted December 21, 2004 Share Posted December 21, 2004 I am in the process of up grading my lighting. I had looked at this post when it was first posted but it wasn't until now that I had enough extra money to upgrade. I have everything wired up and working great. It even looks pretty good. The only thing is that the ballasts buzz when they are on. Is there a way of stopping the buzzing or is it just the nature of these ballasts? I have three and two out of the three buzz. One of them is an out right hum. Any ideas? I am going to put them over my 2.5, Two 10000K and one actinic. Link to comment
ngericke Posted December 21, 2004 Share Posted December 21, 2004 that is just the nature of a magnetic ballast Link to comment
CU_Reefer Posted December 22, 2004 Share Posted December 22, 2004 That's what I thought. I just wanted to see if anyone had any ideas. Link to comment
tylernt Posted December 23, 2004 Share Posted December 23, 2004 Originally posted by Taikimoto cool. yeah I went and bought two sets and a bulb to test them and they work fine. 4 of them over a 2.5 sound good? Im thinking 3 10k's and 1 actinic I did 4x13w over a 2.5g AGA Mini-bow. It was, in my opion, brighter than a 96w powerquad over a 10g. I did 50/50 10K/Actinic, but 3x10K w/ 1 Actinic should work too. Anyway, a fan moving lots of air is a MUST with that much light packed in such a tiny space. I used a 40x40x20mm fan run at 9V, which worked well. Link to comment
SaltyDawg Posted December 23, 2004 Share Posted December 23, 2004 THey run hot so make them external. I am glad someone FINALY read a post of mine form a while ago and made use of this EASY and cheap DYI lighting option. I hated the fact that hellolights.com was raping people on their balast bulb cobos. Link to comment
cich1 Posted December 23, 2004 Share Posted December 23, 2004 i'm runnig 2x6,500k and 2xactinic 13w with a 96 quad reflector over my 5.5g and heat hasn't been a problem yet and the light looks great Link to comment
CU_Reefer Posted December 24, 2004 Share Posted December 24, 2004 ahsupply.com has some pretty good prices on 13watt bulbs. They have 10Ks also. Link to comment
wannabeafarmer Posted December 24, 2004 Share Posted December 24, 2004 I know that this is a nano forum...but if you have larger tanks, and like the DIY thing...this link might be helpful... http://www.lightingcloseout.com/index.cfm Might just be me, but some of those prices look PRETTY good! Hope this helps someone! Link to comment
SaltyDawg Posted December 27, 2004 Share Posted December 27, 2004 wanabeafarmer: you rock those are slamm'n good deals!! Link to comment
wannabeafarmer Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 Glad to help... By the way...saw mention of a molex connector for the 13w diy setup...I'm in the process of building a 10g w/diy stand, canopy, sump. Having trouble finding bulb sockets. Anyone got any info on these molex connectors, and where to get them/what to ask for. Thanks in advance for any help. Link to comment
tylernt Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 Originally posted by wannabeafarmer Anyone got any info on these molex connectors, and where to get them/what to ask for. If I'm not mistaken, I believe molex connectiors are the ones coming off a computer power supply for powering hard drives, CD/DVD drives, etc. Mayhap you have a spare, or a used computer store near you has one in the dumpster out back that you can harvest... Link to comment
wannabeafarmer Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 Guess I'm just Sssthoopid...how exactly will a computer power supply conx hook up to a 13w bulb... Not trying to be an jerk...just confused... Link to comment
sdbeazley Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 they sell them at radioshack for 3.99 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread...ght=molex+radio Link to comment
tylernt Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 The plastic plugs have four little connectors inside. Pop the connector out, pry the wire out, and solder your own wire on. Link to comment
wannabeafarmer Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 I GET IT!!! Thanks for your help! You just saved me a bunch of cash on my little project! Thanks again. John Link to comment
wannabeafarmer Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 Here's another question...does each ballast have to have it's own power cord/plug, or could 3 ballasts be wired to one plug? Link to comment
cich1 Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 the 13w ballast i'm using only 0.35amps so i don't see why you couldn't wire 3 or more to one powercord Link to comment
msf Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 I would say the growth was good to moderate with the 6x13w. What was particularly useful with this configuration was the ability to stagger the lighting cycles. This was 12/15/03: Link to comment
msf Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 This was 10/9/04 the day I upgraded to the 96wPQ: Link to comment
tylernt Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 Yup, you could safely hook a whole lotta 13w ballasts to one cord. If your cord is rated for 15A, you could theoretically connect 1800w worth of stuff to it. Not that I would advise it! Anyway, just make sure you have a wire nut that's big enough to hold everything securely together. Ensure you have a sturdy physical connection when you join the wires, not just an electrical one. Link to comment
wannabeafarmer Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 Thanks for all the help, everyone! Link to comment
kbxiong67 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 HD only has the ballasts that takes 20watts....is that too much for a 13W pc? Are those ballast magnetic or electronic? -Correct me if I'm wrong....for WIRING: just connect the positive wire from the plug to the positive side of the ballast. Then the other wire from the ballast goes to one end of the GX-23 bulb. The negative wire from the plug goes straight to the other end of the bulb? Link to comment
tylernt Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 Originally posted by kbxiong67 -Correct me if I'm wrong....for WIRING: Can't speak for the 20w ballasts, but your wiring is correct. Link to comment
CU_Reefer Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 So far my setup is fine with the 20 w ballasts. It has three wired together into one outlet. I used the cord from a power strip. It was the cheapest way to go at around $3 it was much cheaper than getting an extension cord and cutting one end off. I'll post a pic once I can get my hands on a digi camera. As has been mentioned dead power supplies are a great source of free molex connectors. The case also makes a great place to mount the ballasts and each one has a fan that can be used for cooling. I'd just go to a comp repair place chances are they will have some dead power supplies that they can give you. You won't have to do any dumpster diving. Link to comment
Reefgeek Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 I realize this thread is wicked old but how are you guys holding the lights in the hood without a socket? Link to comment
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