Quick Question

[jordan barnhart]

I bought my lights from hellolights.com

I got a 220watt ARO-VHO ballast. It powers two 110w lamps. It is using end caps. The wires are not long enough. I need to buy more wire to extend the wires from the ballast. The wires on the ballast are 18 guage. The wire is copper coated in silver tin and is solid, not stranded little copper wires. Is it okay that I use stranded wire at 14G to extend the wires to my endcaps so I can fit my 48" tubes in them?

 

[BobTheDog]

First, I am NOT an electrician so follow my advice at your own risk.

That said, my dad is an electrical engineer and I have also setup my own DIY fluorescent system which hasn't burned my house down or electrocuted anyone(yet). The 14 gauge, stranded wire will work perfectly. In fact, it is probably a bit of overkill. I used 16 gauge stranded on my system. Just strip off the insulation from the end as normal, then twist the strands around themselves so the wires aren't frayed out everywhere. Once this is done, you can use a a wire nut to join the stranded extension and the solid lead from the ballast. You could also just twist them together and wrap with electrical tape or solder them and again wrap with electrical tape.

 

[jordan barnhart]

Thanks. I fixed it all up. My lights rock!