ODNO - Smoking Ballast

punkboybob · 09-08-2005, 06:13 PM

Hi,
I have found more info here about ODNO than on reef related sites. I'm trying to outfit my 20gal high salt with ODNO. I bought a 2-40w T12 ballast to run 2 20w T12 bulbs. I wired as the diagram suggested but found that in order to be true ODNO, I would have to wire in series to get the desired result. I tried this last night but must have done something wrong. My ballast began smoking, I reconnected using the original wiring setup and it worked but am uncomfortable leaving it on. Have I ruined the ballast or should it be fine?

**SCMurphy** · 09-08-2005, 06:46 PM

Did you make sure you have an electronic ballast and not a magnetic ballast?

shalu · 09-08-2005, 06:51 PM

I have done two tanks with series connection using 18" bulbs, both worked fine. I also wonder if the ballast is true electronic.

punkboybob · 09-08-2005, 07:26 PM

I checked and double checked the ballast...it said Electronic. It's an Advance Rapid start...can't think of the model number. Should I still use it if it works?

Oqsy · 09-08-2005, 07:42 PM

isn't "rapid start" a magnetic term? i thought that electronic's were referred to as "instant start". maybe it's just advertising, and you can call it whatever you want, but it sure sounds like you're using a magnetic ballast. especially the 2x40w T12 part.... electronic ballasts are almost always rated as 2x32 4x32, etc... since they're designed for use with T8s, which are 32w at the T8 diameter and 4ft length. If the ballast is a 2x40w T12, then the odds are *very* high that it's magnetic.

Oqsy

punkboybob · 09-08-2005, 07:51 PM

It's very light, unlike magnetic's...should that be a factor?

shalu · 09-08-2005, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punkboybob

I checked and double checked the ballast...it said Electronic. It's an Advance Rapid start...can't think of the model number. Should I still use it if it works?

There you go. "rapid start" is known to NOT work. Only the "instant start" ones will work. See the ODNO thread post #247.

punkboybob · 09-08-2005, 08:43 PM

Didn't know that. I'll post the model tonight or tommorrow just to be sure. Now...should I still use it as long as it works (normal wiring I mean, not ODNO)...

shalu · 09-08-2005, 08:47 PM

I would use it if it works.

punkboybob · 09-09-2005, 12:05 PM

Checked the ballast, was a rapid start. Could anyone recommend an Advance Ballast to OD 2 24" bulbs?

shalu · 09-09-2005, 07:40 PM

Advance REL-4P32-SC. Connect the two bulbs in series. I use it to power two 18" bulbs. It should overdrive two 24" bulbs just fine.

09-08-2005, 06:13 PM	#1
punkboybob Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Burgaw, NC Posts: 26	ODNO - Smoking Ballast Hi, I have found more info here about ODNO than on reef related sites. I'm trying to outfit my 20gal high salt with ODNO. I bought a 2-40w T12 ballast to run 2 20w T12 bulbs. I wired as the diagram suggested but found that in order to be true ODNO, I would have to wire in series to get the desired result. I tried this last night but must have done something wrong. My ballast began smoking, I reconnected using the original wiring setup and it worked but am uncomfortable leaving it on. Have I ruined the ballast or should it be fine?

09-08-2005, 06:51 PM	#3
shalu Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,675	I have done two tanks with series connection using 18" bulbs, both worked fine. I also wonder if the ballast is true electronic. __________________ Truvu 100g Flourite, wet/dry, AHSupply 302w PC, PinPoint controller 10gallon15w T6+15w T8 55gallon40w T6 ODNO4x, no CO2. Discus grow out. 10gallon Tonina tank, 2x15w T6 ODNO 4x --------------------- I will do aquascapes after I collect all the plant species and grow them to perfection.

09-08-2005, 07:26 PM	#4
punkboybob Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Burgaw, NC Posts: 26	It said it was? I checked and double checked the ballast...it said Electronic. It's an Advance Rapid start...can't think of the model number. Should I still use it if it works?

09-08-2005, 07:42 PM	#5
Oqsy Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (8/100%) Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,174	isn't "rapid start" a magnetic term? i thought that electronic's were referred to as "instant start". maybe it's just advertising, and you can call it whatever you want, but it sure sounds like you're using a magnetic ballast. especially the 2x40w T12 part.... electronic ballasts are almost always rated as 2x32 4x32, etc... since they're designed for use with T8s, which are 32w at the T8 diameter and 4ft length. If the ballast is a 2x40w T12, then the odds are very high that it's magnetic. Oqsy __________________ Eheim Pimp #171 55 gallon jungle in progress; Eheim 2217, TurboTwist UVS, Seachem Onyx / Black T-grade ColorQuartz, 2x55w AHS CF, BeverageFactory.com CO2 Regulator with Clippard accessories "If you ask me, you've got too much imagination. Everything's all loop-de-loops and flibbertigibbets." - Hank Hill

09-08-2005, 07:51 PM	#6
punkboybob Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Burgaw, NC Posts: 26	Good Point It's very light, unlike magnetic's...should that be a factor?

09-08-2005, 06:46 PM	#2
SCMurphy PT Biologist (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryland USA Posts: 3,197	Did you make sure you have an electronic ballast and not a magnetic ballast? __________________ Sean Aquascape? I'm a crypt farmer. It's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like an idiot. That IS an aquascape, it's titled "The Vacant Lot".

09-08-2005, 08:43 PM	#8
punkboybob Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Burgaw, NC Posts: 26	Oooohhh Didn't know that. I'll post the model tonight or tommorrow just to be sure. Now...should I still use it as long as it works (normal wiring I mean, not ODNO)...

09-08-2005, 08:47 PM	#9
shalu Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,675	I would use it if it works. __________________ Truvu 100g Flourite, wet/dry, AHSupply 302w PC, PinPoint controller 10gallon15w T6+15w T8 55gallon40w T6 ODNO4x, no CO2. Discus grow out. 10gallon Tonina tank, 2x15w T6 ODNO 4x --------------------- I will do aquascapes after I collect all the plant species and grow them to perfection.

09-09-2005, 12:05 PM	#10
punkboybob Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Burgaw, NC Posts: 26	Rapid Start Checked the ballast, was a rapid start. Could anyone recommend an Advance Ballast to OD 2 24" bulbs?

09-09-2005, 07:40 PM	#11
shalu Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,675	Advance REL-4P32-SC. Connect the two bulbs in series. I use it to power two 18" bulbs. It should overdrive two 24" bulbs just fine. __________________ Truvu 100g Flourite, wet/dry, AHSupply 302w PC, PinPoint controller 10gallon15w T6+15w T8 55gallon40w T6 ODNO4x, no CO2. Discus grow out. 10gallon Tonina tank, 2x15w T6 ODNO 4x --------------------- I will do aquascapes after I collect all the plant species and grow them to perfection.

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