esacjack Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 So I have a cheap t5 fixture that I'd like to repurpose for driving actinics on my MH tank. Is it possible to strip out the guts of this old odyssea unit and reuse the ballasts, clips, etc? I have a spare set of reflectors for them already that clip onto the bulb. Just curious if anyone has performed this flavor of surgery before.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Yup. What's the ballast manufacterer? I've seen Workhorse balasts in some fixtures that will drive a wide array of bulbs and in some cases will run a different number of bulbs than the original fixture was set up with. Even a typical ballast for a four pin bulb can usually be used to run a small range of different wattages and may run PCs as well as T5s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esacjack Posted August 30, 2013 Author Share Posted August 30, 2013 i'll check the mfg. I was just curious if this was plausible as I didnt wantt to have to invest in a ballast/end cap/ etc when I already have one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsea Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 I am in the same place with horticulture fixtures. The pin holders are the weak link and I considered using damp proof connections own the two ends. Timfish tells me that these connections suck in moisture when lamp is turned off. Can anyone recommend appropriate damp proof connections. In the past, I used a three part holder with rubber seal on T12 lamps that were VHO. Patrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Grog Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Are these the ones you are looking for Patrick? http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/single-waterproof-socket-for-t5-bulbs-stand-off-included.html I may do some gutting here soon too. I have a closet full of 'surplus' I need to re-purpose and sort. I'm such a pack-rat; not a hoarder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esacjack Posted August 31, 2013 Author Share Posted August 31, 2013 Pack rats of the world, unite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Pack rats of the world, unite! I would like to nominate myself for top rat. I stopped using water resistant end caps a long time ago after finding them corroded and melted inside. A standard socket has far less material to melt and it's much easier to inspect the contacts and they are cheaper and easier to replace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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