Wiring Workhorse 7 to 80w T5's

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by lightningfront, Feb 23, 2009.

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  1. lightningfront

    lightningfront Spaghetti Worm

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    I wired up my lights in a new canopy and a friend rasied a question about if I had them wired correctly.

    The workhorse 7s have 4 red wires for up to 4 bulbs, but I am only running 2 bulbs off each ballast because i'm using 80w bulbs. I ran 1 red wire to each bulb (split to both terminals) and terninated the other 2 red wires.

    Because the ballast has 4 outputs and a maxwattage of 220w does that mean that I'm only giving 55w to each bulb?

    If I connected 2 wires to each bulb (1 to each terminal) would I be overdriving the 80w bulbs with 110w?
     
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  3. Dr.Fragenstein

    Dr.Fragenstein Panda Puffer

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    I run my 80watt bulbs off of Workhorse 7's and wired it just like you. Two bulbs per ballast, and I am running the bulbs full power not at 55 watts. I even had an old electrician/electical engineer help me... Thats how you HAVE to run them.

    Dont worry its running the way it should!!

    Happy lighting!!
     
  4. lightningfront

    lightningfront Spaghetti Worm

    Joined:
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    181
    Location:
    Cincinnati, Oh
    cool, thanks.

    Another question since you are running the same set-up. Ever have any problem with the workhorse ballast?

    Reason I ask is I posted a thread om another forum about them and T5s and got a couple responses telling me not to use them cause they are instant start for 1 and damage the T5 bulbs every time they fire up. They say they will work but you are supposed to use programmed start ballast. I did a little research and it appears that a high frequency of on/off cycles can damage the bulbs, but they were talking in the tens of thousands on/off cycles.

    Also said they like to completely fail a lot and they have never had one last any decent ammount of time.

    Your thoughts?