How to read lamp/ballast info

[CaptainK]

Hi Everyone,
I finally got the specs as too what the free ballasts I picked up could handle. But now I could use some help on finding out what all these letters and numbers mean.
The sheet says that this ballast can handle these lamp types:
F24T12HO - 2 Lamps
F48T12HO - 1 or 2 lamps
F48T12HOE - 1 lamp
F60T12HO - 1 or 2 lamps
I am curious as to what these mean? There are a lot more like this on this page.
Also I am assuming that HO means High Output (???) Does that mean it can handle VHO bulbs, or are there specific HO bulbs. And what is HOE?
Thanks,
CaptK

[Bruce]

Cap'n K,

Let me decipher the info for you [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

F24T12HO translates into

24 inch bulb, size T12( 1.5 inch diameter) HO means High Output

f48T12HO would be 48 inch bulb, size T12, high output.


I do not know what the HOE bulbs are. However, HO bulbs are not VHO bulbs. There are 3 levels of power for standard flourescent tubes : Normal outpout, High Output, and Very High Output. Hope that helps a little...

[This message has been edited by Bruce (edited 05-31-2001).]

[CaptainK]

Thanks Bruce,
Any recommendations for makers of HO bulbs???

[Bruce]

CaptainK,

This info I can not help you with. The only information I can give is on NO and VHO flourescent tubes. There are many "gro-lux" type bulbs available at stores like Home Depot, probably some of which are available in HO. For whatever reason, the aquarium lighting industry appears to have forsaken HO bulbs, marketing only NO and VHO tubes. So, I would check around at lighting sections of stores like HD for plant/daylight bulbs.