T5 Ballast wire length

Elrond · 7 May 2007

Guys,

My dual T5 ballast says the maximum wire length to any point is 1m. I really need to run this at about 1.2-1.3m in order to move from 4 t5's to 8. Anybody else done something similar and had problems/no problems? Cant imagine the extra 30cm's will affect the circuit that much?

-E

Mashrie · 7 May 2007

Elrond said:
Guys,

My dual T5 ballast says the maximum wire length to any point is 1m. I really need to run this at about 1.2-1.3m in order to move from 4 t5's to 8. Anybody else done something similar and had problems/no problems? Cant imagine the extra 30cm's will affect the circuit that much?

-E

Dont think it should be problem dude.
If you take an ATI powermodule, its cable length is quite long. So no worries!

DragonReef · 7 May 2007

Hi Elrond, I've done the same and lengthened my wires and haven't had any problems.
The effect would probably be minimal depending on how long you lengthen them by but wouldn't exceed 1.5m
Alan would be able to give more input on this.

Waynan · 7 May 2007

Longer cables on T5's should not be too much of a problem, just use a slightly thicker wire than what they have this will compensate for the extra Resistance and inductance. Just my 2c

psycho · 7 May 2007

Up to how long can the wire be ??

Waynan · 7 May 2007

I am not sure, not more than 2m I would say, but then maybe more if you get the right cable...

psycho · 7 May 2007

So the longer you go the thicker the cable.

Carl · 7 May 2007

Hi bud

From my experience it will work. What yuo need to do is use solid core wire and instead of .5mm go to .75mm.

The arguement was that it would shorten the lamplife or effect the brightness of the lamp..

Regards

Carl

Waynan · 7 May 2007

psycho said:
So the longer you go the thicker the cable.

That's correct

Carl said:
Hi bud

From my experience it will work. What yuo need to do is use solid core wire and instead of .5mm go to .75mm.

The arguement was that it would shorten the lamplife or effect the brightness of the lamp..

Regards

Carl

I don't think it will shorten the lamp life, there is no reason unless you go short and thick then if you are using a cheap ballast you could potentially overdrive the lamp. But again I doubt it.

Elrond · 7 May 2007

Thanks guys, put the 2 extra T5's in this evening, cable length is about 1.5m. Its working fine and as bright as the others... will have to wait and see about lamp time!

-E