Anyone know about ballasts?

[d5332]

anyone know if a T5NO ballast fires up T5HO bulbs?

I am asking because I am shopping around for a new fixture and there are many low end inexpensive t5 fixtures in the market. I dont feel I need an ATI T5 fixture but I dont want to end up with a T5NO fixture and T5HO bulbs.

I cant seem to find an answer on the internet, just guesses....

 

[FRY]

you will shorten the life of your T5NO ballast driving a HOT5 bulb.

 

[FRY]

Actually most of the time the 28 watt ballast will fire the 54 watt bulbs, but you will only get 28 watts, not the 54 watts. You will need to upgrade the ballast to properly drive the 54 watt HO bulbs

 

[mbg75]

If ATI out of the budget, find a used Tek or even a nova extreme pro.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

 

[d5332]

I did not find any information regarding higher wattage bulbs damaging weaker ballasts.

What I am trying to determine is if a company can sell an 8 bulb t5 fixture with timer and HO bulbs included for $150 shipping included and actually manufacture the fixture with HOT5 ballasts OR are they misleading people by emphasizing the free HO bulbs and NOT installing HO ballasts.

I will look into those used one's you mentioned, problem is sometimes people want way to much for them and one needs to refresh the bulbs before installing it bc we all love to say "bulbs are only 2 months old" so if you have to buy all new bulbs and pay high used price you may as well buy it new.