someone can figure out how to do this

[kysmith]

I want to buy a t5 retro kit to add actinics to my aquarium that will power 2 bulbs. The retro kit will power 2 bulbs so I want to use the 2nd bulb to light my fuge. I want to run the 1 bulb 24X7 and the other bulb only 12 hours a day. How can hook a timer up to do this. My initial thought is to run the power wire for the bulb that I want to run 12 hours to an extension cord that plugs into a timer, set the timer to the correct time, and have a cord plugged into that that then runs to light.

Will this work?

Check out my highly technical and detailed diagram.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/63263T5_diagram.JPG

Thanks in advance,
Kyle

[Cuervo]

The probelm is that usually the timer does not go between the bulb and the ballast.

I'm sure they make timers that can handle the high voltage coming out of the ballast. You'll have to forgive me, but I'm not familiar with T5, so I can't guess what that voltage would be, but it's probably pretty high.

Instead of a timer, you could put a relay in there. So that the high voltage side of the relay is activated by low voltage on the other side.. then you can put your low voltage on a timer.

Lastly, and I have no idea on this one: Can the ballast handle having the bulb side switched on and off. My guess is that it could, because it would be the same as taking the bulbs in and out while the light is on. You'd want to check on this one though.

[kysmith]

come on I know someone knows if this would work or not.

[H20ENG]

You'd have to use single lamp ballasts, and a separate timer for each.

[kysmith]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8499583#post8499583 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by H20ENG
You'd have to use single lamp ballasts, and a separate timer for each.

Why?

[H20ENG]

Its just the design of the ballasts, unfortunately.
The ballast will not last long having one secondary leg switched on and off. Plus the voltage of a flourescent lamp lead is about 600V, so your switch/ timer would have to handle the high voltage.
It really wont be any more expensive to use 2 single lamp ballasts.

[jallard]

just get yourself a cheap light for your refugium...keep 2 lamps above your display and your done.

[Donw]

The inrush surge will explode most any timer or relay. If your light run at say 2 amps the inrush surge can be around 2000 amps.

Don

[kysmith]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8500350#post8500350 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Donw
The inrush surge will explode most any timer or relay. If your light run at say 2 amps the inrush surge can be around 2000 amps.

Don

ok sounds like more trouble than it's worth.....

Thanks,
Kyle

[Qwiv]

You can't install it like that. You will need (2) ballasts. To put it super simple, the wiring for the set-up works much like a strand of xmas lights. If one light goes out, they all go out. Anything you install to do this will cost more than a second ballast. Sorry.