Does anyone know where I can buy an electronic ballast to fire smaller bulbs (18" and less)? All the electronic ballast I find only fire 24" and up bulbs while the smaller sizes are fired by magnetic ballasts. I want to build a DIY hood for a 10 gallon with 3 18" T8 bulbs but can not find a ballast. I know they exist because I see a lot of small hoods and under cabinet lights with them.
If I can not find any then I am left with three options. Please give me experience/opinions about each.
1) Buy under cabinet lights and rip out the electronic ballast. Build a hood with 3 electronic ballast. This might be rather expensive.
2) Buy a ballast rated for 36" bulbs. Split the hot wire into two wires to run two 18" bulbs. I do not know if this will work, but seeing as how it is the opposite of overdriving lights...it should work...shouldn't it?
3) Suck it up and buy a compact fluorescent fixture. Grrr. Is there one around the 45 watt range and 20" or shorter?
Thanks.
If I can not find any then I am left with three options. Please give me experience/opinions about each.
1) Buy under cabinet lights and rip out the electronic ballast. Build a hood with 3 electronic ballast. This might be rather expensive.
2) Buy a ballast rated for 36" bulbs. Split the hot wire into two wires to run two 18" bulbs. I do not know if this will work, but seeing as how it is the opposite of overdriving lights...it should work...shouldn't it?
3) Suck it up and buy a compact fluorescent fixture. Grrr. Is there one around the 45 watt range and 20" or shorter?
Thanks.