power lead for ODNO

[davidk]

Hi all. This is my first post. Ive followed Rex Grigg over here from aquahobby.com because this site has proven to be a great source of information.

Im working on an ODNO setup after reading a thread by GulfCoastAquarian http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=175 . So far i have the following.

1 Advance REL4P32SC (4) F32T8 Ballast
4 18" t8 GE P&A bulbs
8 Advance FRBPSI Medium Bi-Pin Lampholders
2 Ideal #89-406 6 circuit terminal strip

My lady and i are taking a road trip (25 miles) to her parents house tommorow to use their woodworking equipment. Ill be done with the canopy tommorow, and it will be ready to be waterproofed and painted by Sunday. Im going to use white enamel on the underside as reflector.

I can wire the lampholders and lights to the ballast no problem. To keep things safe, id like to use the correct power lead from the wall, to an on/off switch, to the ballast. What kind of cord should i use? Im no electrical guru, but to me it seems that regular lampcord is unsuitable and unsafe.

Thanks for the time!

[Sponsors]

[davidk]

Please move up to the lighting forum and delete this reply please.

[DarkCobra]

Hi David, welcome to PT!

Hmm, isn't the ballast casing supposed to be grounded? So you'd need a 3-wire cord.

When I need one, I usually chop up an extension cord or a computer power cord. If you have an useless computer power supply, you can cannibalize the socket too, and have a detachable cord.

[Hoppy]

I like to buy a short extension cord of the right type - three wire if grounded - chop off the socket end and I have a good power cord. Most extension cords tell you their current rating, so that lets you match it to the fixture you are wiring.