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  L# vho wiring
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Subscribevho wiring
importfan878
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Registered: 22-Jun-2005
Im not too much of a handy person, is a light hard to wire, I think im gonig to buy this set up, right now it comes with endcaps so i will use those( what do these do?), i will also by the optional powercord, the option 36 inch mirror reflector( will 4 vhos fit on this) and i will have one 50/50 and one atinit, is this everything i need except wooden canopy, i plan on buying two of thse for a total of 4 bulbs, does it coem with all wires needed? can soemone explain to me how to wire this and if it will be too complicated for me to do?

http://www.hellolights.com/22elarovhoba.html
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:40Profile PM Edit Report 
dthurs
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male usa
I did my own VHO lights. It's easy. Many balasts come with a diagram in the balast, or a sheat explaining the different types of wiring. If memory serves, there are 2 red wires, 2 blue wires, and 4 yellow wires. The reds go to one bulb, the blues go to another bulb, and the yellows are common. Then you just have yoru input wires that go to your outlet. For my housing I simply used 2 cheep 4 foot shop lights. I took them apart and put them to gether to make a single 6 foot housing. I used the standard end caps and have had no problem. To help with balast life, it's important to keep it as cool as possible. So I glued a whole bunch of old computer CPU heat sinks. I also mounted my balast far from the tank.

Dan


Dan
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:40Profile Homepage AIM Yahoo PM Edit Delete Report 
importfan878
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ok what doess common wires mean? and what do the endcaps do?
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:40Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
dthurs
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Registered: 18-Feb-2003
male usa
Common is the ground, so it can go to either bulb, all yellows are the same. The end caps hold the bulb and provide the power. Good ones will have rubber on them to seal the bulbs. I would suggest this if you have an open top tank. If your tank is covered then you can use a standard end cap. Make sure you ground everything. If not, you risk getting electricuted. This happened to me once. I grounded everything, but one powerstrip did not ground properly, (I threw that one away) so when I touched the light fixture when my hand was in the water I got zapped.

Dan


Dan
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:40Profile Homepage AIM Yahoo PM Edit Delete Report 
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