Another first time poster, so please be gentle if the answer is in front of my bloodshot eyes I can not find any conclusive answer in regards to HO ballasts. I am working with 8 24" 24 watt T5HO tubes and I am ready to get a ballast and some sockets to wire them up in a custom cabinet. Can a T5HO ballast rated for 4x 48†tubes at 54 watts per tube drive 8x 24†tubes at 24 watts per tube with a safety first mentality. The math seems logical. 4x54W tubes at 48" = 216W at 192" 8X24W tubes at 24" = 192W at 192" If so, would you wire 2 tubes per line in series? Or parallel with a Y adapter? Would the initial ignition of 8 tubes be two much strain on the ballast? I am dealing with electricity and just a test run that shows it will work with out knowing what is really happening inside that ballast does not leave a cozy feeling. Safety first. Any information on the subject with best way to accomplish this would be greatly appreciated.
Well I would say no it won't work. Well better yet it might. But I would dedicate the "true" ballast configuration and have all the power going 100% to 4 lamps then 50% to 8. It all about efficiency.
Thank you for the reply I would actually think it would run at about 90% to 8 lamps. This sounds like it would be easier on the ballast Then there is the possibility that it would run at %100 and run the lamps a little warmer. Some people say no not possible and or unsafe, and some people say yes it is fine and safe. Any electricians out there or someone who has some experience with this care to chime in ?
Welp, I decided to head over in to HTG and grab the 4 lamp pll-55 setup. Still would be nice to know the answer though if someone knew an answer.I am giving this a single bumpity just in case.
Don't do it the initial spark to fire up that 48 is to high for a smaller bulb you either blow all ur bulbs or burn out the ballast be smart right tool right parts for a job just buy the correct ballast and use it