Please help with ballast wiring!

s0larb3ar said:
Oh yes, that's pretty much the diagram that is on the ballast. However, I don't know how to make the 'Y' connections to each end of the lights (i understand that I need wire nuts?), or how to run the 1 red wire to two tubes.

TOTAL newbie at this DIY stuff, so bear with me =]
Click to expand...

Yes wire nuts are the thing to use
Heres another simple diagram.. Basically you will have a red wire leading from each bulb and connecting to the main one coming from the ballast. All held in place with the wire nut (green)
126fui0.jpg
 
I suggest welding them together(no, I'm just kidding, welding has poor electrical properties) I suggest maybe buying some electrical tape, twist the two wires together and just electrical tape that connection and be sure that you cover all of the exposed metal or, you will get shocked
 
Do you have sockets for the bulbs? You can simply push the wire into the socket, and join the 2 sockets together...

there are little slots on the bottom of the socket, you only have to connect 1... use the other slot to connect your other socket...


attach the 2 sockets together..
dont use tape, or wire nuts...

let me find a pic...

here, see how the white wire connects the 2 sockets, and the red goes to the ballast...

img_4823.jpg
 
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The Zigman said:
Do you have sockets for the bulbs? You can simply push the wire into the socket, and join the 2 sockets together...

there are little slots on the bottom of the socket, you only have to connect 1... use the other slot to connect your other socket...


attach the 2 sockets together..
dont use tape, or wire nuts...

let me find a pic...

here, see how the white wire connects the 2 sockets, and the red goes to the ballast...
Click to expand...
that'll also work... LOL screw my idea...
 
Great! I'll try to do this later tonight, and see if I have any other questions. Thanks, everyone.
 
Well, i connected everything like you all said, and...it's still not working. Could the problem be with the AC connection itself? Does the ballast require a 3-prong outlet, or is a 2-prong ok? Even when i connected the ballast to one light strip, it still didn't work.

I really hope there isn't something wrong with the ballast itself, because i've (obviously) already opened the package and cut wires...ergh
 
I reinstalled the original, trying both light strips just in case those were the problem, and they both work.

I think if anything, i'll call the Advance's technical line
 
s0larb3ar said:
I reinstalled the original, trying both light strips just in case those were the problem, and they both work.

I think if anything, i'll call the Advance's technical line
Click to expand...
hmm, you do require 3 prongs to work, the ground is essential, without it it won't work right, believe me... personal exp...
 
1oooop said:
hmm, you do require 3 prongs to work, the ground is essential, without it it won't work right, believe me... personal exp...
Click to expand...

I have never seen it necessary to use the ground...
 
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