rapid start vs instant start is there a difference? i am going to do odno with t8 bulbs. i found someone close to me that has a great deal on on rapid start electronic ballast.
rapid start vs instant start?
- Thread starter Mgamer20o0
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I'm not sure what the difference is, but I bet a quick google would tell ya. On a side note, is $40 too much for a pair of electronic shop lights at Home Depot? If you're going to be over burning your lights, I'd assume getting crispy new ones would be a smidge safer (heh, safe over burning), and would probably last a lot longer. Just my thoughts.
they are new and will be able to get them cheaper then that. on the website i looked at it says you can do it for $20-$30.
http://www.gwapa.org/articles/ODNO/
http://www.gwapa.org/articles/ODNO/
I know the site, I probably got it off the same post you did. The good t8 lights at Home Depot run $18.95, fixture included. If you get just the ballasts, you've blown your savings on materials for a fixture that may or may not take the increased heat of overburnt bulbs (as the article states, the bulbs get HOT). If you want to go that budget, enjoy. I'm willing to bet the additional cost of a fixture, a new fewture when the first one melts, or a new place to live far outweigh the additional $10 or $20 involved in actually buying the fixture. There ws a disclaimer at the beginning of that article for a reason... Why not do everything to prevent the worst case scenario?
I'm running a 4 ft shop light and a homebrew CF fixture, seems to do a decent job. Going ODNO is a very budget friendly concept, just do NOT ever make the mistake of assuming a plan you get online does not have its hazards. Build a canopy, install a couple computer cooling fans. Install your fixture, no need to see the shop lights, more ventilation then just sitting on the glass... beautiful. Unfortunately to do anything right costs more money than anticipated in the beginning. If you can't cough up the coin to do it right, save your cash til you can, otherwise you'll end up with something you never wanted a couple days after you've finished...
i have a canopy and a ceiling fan thats always on. the tank is a couple inch away for the wall and it has a open back. i have 6 t12 blubs in there now and it doesnt heat up to much.
In my ODNO hood I used 2X and the bulbs dont get any hotter than the ballast. With a gentle breeze (2 large computer fans run at half power) they really dont get that hot. I personally would not suggest doing the 4X ODNO since I had a bad experience with that. Although if the whole assembly is still in an original metal enclosure then its safer to go to the higher power (mine are mounted right to the wood canopy). My ballast I got online for a bit under $15 each including shipping, they are sylvania 4X32/120 IS. Each can normally drive 4 T8's, in my canopy I used 2 assemblies to drive 4 bulbs. I retrofitted another metal shoplight to use another ballast to drive 2 bulbs, and I still have the 4th ballast as spare. All my endcaps were from gutted fixtures, so I saved some there too. I'll soon make a post on my project when I get all the pics together.
Good luck!
Good luck!
2x is all i would go. i will keep them in the metal shop light fixture. even though it would save me some room help keeping everything dry. i would love pics. i am going to have a contactor i know to help me to make sure everything is done right. i am sure i could do it my self but better be safe then sorry.
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