3ft Lighting with e-Ballast

[nim75sg]

I am aware that there is a LFS shop in Telok Blangah (I think Telok Blangah Heights) who do custom made lighting housing using e-Ballast.

Any fellow members know where is this shop?

Thanks in advance.

[art]

Hmm never heard of this place
But if might want to try Nature Aquarium , also can customize your lighting housing with eballast instead of the normal iron ballasts.

[nim75sg]

Thanks Art ... will check it out tomorrow during lunch time.

Cheers!

[nim75sg]

Hi Art

Went to Nature Aquarium during lunch time and found that they only sell e-ballast with PL lighting.

They don't have what I wanted ie 3ft lighting set using Arcadia or Deltek T5 lighting with e-ballast.

Also, they don't do any customization.

Cheers

[leafhorn]

I understand what you wanted, FL tubes, but Eballast. I also want like that, but Mr Chan say no need and also no worth doing. Maybe we can do ourselves? I wanted to but donno how and also scare I no skill wait I perchak my lights.

[markyen]

nim75sg,

I will try not to confuse you. Here is the method.

Things to get: 20W x2 eballast $20 at NA. 2x 18w FL Arcadia $23 each at NA. 2-3 meters of eight core cable at NA forgot price. one piece of 2 pin plug with cable conneted can reuse the one that comes with the lighting hood. Plastic cable end connector can get at any elec shop.

1. Get a 3ft lighting, the one you like from the outlook. Can get from any LFS. Atman I think around $30+/-. Make sure it has a good reflector in it. The Aluminum is better

2. Remove all the FL tubes and iron ballast that comes with it. You will need screwdrivers and Pliers for this purpose.

3. Connect the blue and brown cable connecting to the 2 pin plug (as mentioned above) to the input of the eballast. (brown and blue can go in either socket.

4. then connect the eight core cable to the other side of the eballast with eight socket. Just plug all in individual socket. position not important.

5. insert the other end of the eight core cable to the lighting hood. Use the initial hole for power cable. As you can see the eballast is outside of the hood and reduces the heat near the tank. IMO safer also.

6. Now look at the e-ballast power out area, which has 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 idicated on it and the color cables of the eight core cable. 1,2 goes to one end of the FL #1 and 3,4 cable goes to the other end of FL#1. Therefore 5,6,7,8 applies the same for FL#2
The eight colors of the eight core cable will guide you as to which cable is 1 or 2 or 3. Use the plastic cable end connector to connect the cables to the FL tube.

7. Place the FL tubes back to their orginal clips on the refletor.

8. No starter is required and make sure all connections are secured before turning on the power.

If you are not sure can come to my place and can show you how.
:D :D

[nim75sg]

Hi Markyen

You're a one step ahead of me and this is exactly what I am going to do on Labor Day. Information provided is very useful and really appreciate the effort in writing this easy to understand step approach.

Also, thank you for your invite to your place and will certainly pm you if the need arises to visit you.

Today, I was poorer by about $190 as I went on a shopping trip to AMK to buy the ATMAN DR-90 3ft lighting set ($50) which has separate switches for the two lights.

For the lights, I am bought Deltek Actini Plus and Aqua Flora which I believe is the right combination. Total cost $100.

In addition, paid $38 for two Japanese made e-Ballast by the brand KES for replacing the two standard ballasts from the ATMAN set.

Once I am done with the modification, will advise Leafhorn if he is interested to have one done according to his requirements.

Stay tuned.

[art]

Ah sorry if i led you to the wrong place , but i could have sworn Mr Chan does customizations on your lighting sets....perhaps he is rather busy at the moment.

Either case , sounds like fun to make your own , i always wanted to do so , just didnt have the need for them hehe.
But if someone wants a DIY set , and will pay for the parts , hey why not :D

[Zealot]

Hi Nim75sg

Have you decided what fishes to keep? Seems like you are doing a big project! :)

[nim75sg]

Hi Zealot

Not a big project lah .. just embarking on building a two 3ft tank for the Tangan and Malawi setups.

Cheers!

[leafhorn]

My lights already running but thought of changing to eballast to further reduce some heat.

[markyen]

Leafhorn,

If you like to reduce heat further, then place your eballast out of the lighting casing. :D

[markyen]

For ease of ref. I have attached some Pic:

1. Top view (I use aluminum reflector)
http://www.arofanatics.com/members/markyen/lights/image01.jpg

2. Open cover (The reflector is detachable. It is connected by 3M fasteners)

http://www.arofanatics.com/members/markyen/lights/image02.jpg

3. Turnover view. (2 FL attached to Aircon pipe casing)

http://www.arofanatics.com/members/markyen/lights/image03.jpg

4. Connections to the e-ballast (I use black sleeve for left side and white sleeve for right connections)
http://www.arofanatics.com/members/markyen/lights2/image01.jpg

5. connecting to the FL (I use the cheap plastic connectors)
http://www.arofanatics.com/members/markyen/lights2/image02.jpg

6. Connecting to the input power (I use silicon to make sure it does not fall off easily. )

http://www.arofanatics.com/members/markyen/lights2/image03.jpg

[art]

Wa bro nicely done.
Want to write article a not haha :D

[markyen]

Me write. No lah, En-geli-shi not good. Lah. Pai-seh ah.

Art was trying to do one for PL lights. But it is hard to dismantle it. Will try soon. Eh can do this posting:

"Coming Soon to Petfrd.com PL lights DIY demo ........"

Nah just joking about :dito:

Well will post you the pic if you like and I think one pic not well taken. A bit blur.

[art]

I can do the writeup bit , you just write down the steps short and sweet and have accompanying pictures loh , then send to me thru email ( art@petfrd.com ) i do it up swee swee and post :D
I can help you do the full writeup and editting , dun worry :)

if need help just pm me :)

[markyen]

A OK!

[nim75sg]

All

Project completed for a 3ft Tanganyika tank including lights using 24W T5 tubes with e-ballast in a Atman DR-90 lighting casing.

Visual outlook resembles like a normal lighting but operating with a big difference in low heat emission unlike those of the normal T8 or PL lights using conventional ballast.

The main reason for doing this DIY set is because of the high cost of getting another Arcadia Overtank Luminaire T5 lighting sets and also the T5 low heat emission.

Will post pics soon.

[damnit]

Very nice writeup, mark!!! Send the pics to art for an article leh. Lidat can share share with all those keen in DIY.

[art]

Dun worry , we should be getting it done soon :D

[bingyan]

Originally posted by art
Ah sorry if i led you to the wrong place , but i could have sworn Mr Chan does customizations on your lighting sets....perhaps he is rather busy at the moment.

Either case , sounds like fun to make your own , i always wanted to do so , just didnt have the need for them hehe.
But if someone wants a DIY set , and will pay for the parts , hey why not :D


I am keen to learn something.

dun mind to pay for the parts too

9068 0342
call me if u guys can arrange a session

[markyen]

I will send to Art by this week.

Nim75sg glad to hear that you have made it. :D