I've been shopping for a ballast for a retro PC install. I found a
couple good deals on Fulman Workhorse ballasts. In specific I'm
looking at the Workhorse 5 Long 120V/128W
(http://www.fulham.com/wh5.html).

One aquarium lighting site that lists this ballast specifies whether
each ballast is for square or straight pin sockets (it's not part of a
kit - bare ballast only.) However, the manufacturer's website and
other squarium lighting sites don't seem to specify types of socket
for ballasts.

So, my question is this: can any ballast be wired to use either type
of socket? Or are the manufacturer and other websites leaving out
critical information???

The bulb I need only comes in square pin (well, for the price I can
afford, which is $15 cheaper than anywhere else.) But the other site
I mentioned said the ballast only does straight pin! grrr...

Where's Patrick Timlin??? He used to answer all this lighting stuff
for me...

Thanks!

Kristen

The Workhorse 5 is not a kit, just a ballast with the appropriate Black
White wires for AC input and Red and Yellow wires for connecting to you
light sockets. You will have to get the sockets on your own. They can be
wired for either bi pin tubes (T12, T8 etc) or for CF. Just follow the
wiring diagram provided with the ballast. The diagram for the WH 5 is
provided he http://www.fulham.com/NewFiles/wire05.gif I have two WH 7's
and I bought bipin sockets at home depot and mounted them in my DIY hood.
Either way, follow the wiring diagram provided with the ballast. Ballasts
have been working flawlessly for over a year. One note though, the wires
from the ballast were not long enough to reach both ends of my 48" span.
You'll likely have to purchase some 18 gauge wire to make the red and yellow
wires reach.

HTH?

DJay

Short Answer :
square pin or straight pin, it does not matter. Usually the higher
wattage CF like the 96 watt are 4 square, the 55 CF are 4 square and 4
straight. Just make sure that the ballast meets the watt requirement. Side
note, Fulham ballast are very nice, good choice.

Buzz



"Kristen" wrote in message
...
I've been shopping for a ballast for a retro PC install. I found a
couple good deals on Fulman Workhorse ballasts. In specific I'm
looking at the Workhorse 5 Long 120V/128W
(http://www.fulham.com/wh5.html).

One aquarium lighting site that lists this ballast specifies whether
each ballast is for square or straight pin sockets (it's not part of a
kit - bare ballast only.) However, the manufacturer's website and
other squarium lighting sites don't seem to specify types of socket
for ballasts.

So, my question is this: can any ballast be wired to use either type
of socket? Or are the manufacturer and other websites leaving out
critical information???

The bulb I need only comes in square pin (well, for the price I can
afford, which is $15 cheaper than anywhere else.) But the other site
I mentioned said the ballast only does straight pin! grrr...

Where's Patrick Timlin??? He used to answer all this lighting stuff
for me...

Thanks!

Kristen