Making A Hood, Looking At Light Starter Units

[CrazyAirborne]

an arcadia light starter unit, i want to have a 20 watt bulb, as long as the starter supports up to 20 watts, the bulb size or length dont matter right? like does the starter unit have to have a certain Length bulb for it to work? im looking at a used unit and want to make sure it will work.

 

[OldMan47]

Choosing a ballast for a fluorescent fixture involves more than simply choosing the right wattage. Each electronic ballast comes with a wiring diagram showing how it should be wired. I recently replaced a ballast in a room light and had to rewire the fixture itself to match the ballast's requirements. It was a simple 2 tube arrangement but had a different arrangement of the wiring than the original ballast needed. Although rewiring a room light fixture, where it is all done hidden within the fixture, can work, many tank hoods to not lend themselves to easy rewiring. Please check into things a bit more before relying simply on wattage ratings. You might get lucky and things would work out but the odds are not in your favor.

 

[CrazyAirborne]

ok, im not rewiring anything. im making a hood.are u familiar with light starter units? they have an electronic ballast box, and then two "end caps" where the light plugs in. like this: http/www.swelluk.com/aquarium/fish-tank-lighting-28/control-units-184/arcadia-t5-starter-units-6667.html
or this: http/www.pawspetsupermarket.co.uk/interpet-waterproof-aquarium-light-starter-unit-10230-p.asp
so my question still stands

to anyone who's used a light starter unit like the link above, im sure they are fairly common, is there a specific LENGTH of bulb that the unit HAS to have?

 

[tribalbrit]

Length of bulb does not matter. as long as the wattage is right for the starter..

 

[CrazyAirborne]

thank u! thats what i would have guessed, but wanted to ask.