Help wiring Workhorse 5 ballast for Power Compact

Reefer Addict · 02-05-2003, 01:30 AM

Well, I'm in a bit of a quandary. My PC DIY kits arrived today, but before I can begin the construction of the light I need to figure out how to wire the dang thing...
The kit came with a Workhorse 5 ballast.
The wiring diagram is here:

The instructions in the kit say to use the 'Linear' configuration, but I need to know how to adapt it for a Power Compact Straight Pin socket.
The ballast has (4) Red Wires and (1) Yellow wire coming out of the right side like in the diagram... The reds are grouped in twos, and the yellow exits the ballast next to one of the red groups. (I'm just smart enough to know how to wire up the black and white ones on the left side so that doesn't need explaining.)

If somebody can help, I'd really appreciate it. I have a bit of time tomorrow for wiring up the canopy and am eager to get started. My tank is getting closer to completion. Yay!

P.S. I should add that it'll be driving (2) 55W PC bulbs... if that makes any difference.

wanareef · 02-05-2003, 03:05 AM

if it is suppose to be linear then any two red's together to make a pair and the other side is the yellow. Think of each of the red's as power to the bulbs and the yellow is the return I don't know much about PC's but have hooked up workhorse's before.

hth

Reefer Addict · 02-05-2003, 10:53 AM

Thanks for the reply wanareef. Actually, that does help quite a bit. I was reading the fine print in the diagram and it says "always connect both pin sets of the socket before connecting the red and yellow wires", so I take that to mean you connect (jumper) both pins on each side of the bulb together and then connect the single wires (red and yellow) to one of the pins on each side.
I'll give that a shot and see if that does it... or I'll lite myself up in the process.

I'm kinda new to wiring fluorescents, but I think I'm starting to figure it out.
Thanks again.

Reefer Addict · 02-05-2003, 08:41 PM

Just wanted to say that I got it all figured out. Just jumpered the pins together on each 'side' of the bulb, then connected the single red and yellow wires to each side. Worked like a charm.
Wow... power compacts are pretty bright lights. Make my freshwater tank look pale in comparison.

wanareef · 02-06-2003, 03:22 AM

That great- glad that you didn't "light up" LOL