A DIY Ballast question

[DREW]

I was wondering if it matter what kinda ballast you used for CF lighting , ( I know certian lighting requires the right type of ballast ) .
Will any ballast for flourecent lights work with CF, Like the replacement ballasts you can get at Lowes or Home Depot, could those be used with CF if they have the automatic start ?
One of the ballast in my Custom Sealife unit died , I think it was a Workhorse ballast. & the only place I can find replacements for those is on line.
I want to build a canopy eventually & just wondered if these replacement ballast at Lowes & Home Depot would work the same?

 

[OrionGirl]

I'm really not sure--I don't think a standard fluorescent ballast will fire the power compacts. The retro kits that I've seen include the ballast, and I think they are specific to PC's.

Maybe someone else will know--but I don't think it will work. The bulbs might light up, but I don't think they'd be firing right.

 

[Meric]

DIY Ballast for 96W CF Light

You can use an electronic ballast by Universal Ballast part Number B295SR120HP. One ballast can support (2) 96W or (4) 55W CF Lights and are around $35.00 ea. You can also purchase the Workhorse 7 which can support either (2) 96W CF or (4) 55W CF's. Do not run just (2) 55W unless you run them on a single wire pair.

The difference between the two models is that the Universal Ballast is Rapid Start, with lamp out protection and the Workhorse 7 is Instant Start which reduces lamp life. Instant start uses more current to fire the lamp than rapid start.

Home Depot does sell the Universal Ballast, but it is twice the cost from an online vendor.

 

[DREW]

Thank You very much Meric . good info . will check out what Home Depot has next time I go.