Thanks for posting the link fmb. That looks fairly easy and costs half the amount of hydro glows. Does anyone know where you can purchase the bulbs since the link above requires you to order 30 minimum?
I basically did the same thing except I went with a 36w 4’ bulb and a IB153 ballast. I have the plans in a pdf if you want me to email them to you. Those would probably be good too. One problem is the shipping costs for the clear schedule 40 pvc and the light bulb. The shipping is almost the same as the product. It would be nice to find it locally. Curly dog posted a place that might have the bulbs, so that would help.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Steelytom,
Check your email.
I talked to the people at Nova Lighting and they said the only fluorescent green bulbs they carry are F20 bulbs. Do you think these will work?
it would work with the IB-151 Ballast. The F20T12 is the bulb from the link FMB3 posted. I just wanted to go with the bigger/brighter light, so I went with the 36W t8
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
The tube guards I mentioned are a clear sleeve that fits over the fluorescent lamp. They are not as heavy duty as a sch 40 conduit but they are readily available and pretty cheap.
Not sure where you would put the ballast and weight if you used those tubes. Can you use standard pvc fittings?
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
My rep from nova lighting said they could order them in singles but I cant remember how much, seems like it was around 15 buck or so but I could be mistaken.
PVC fittings will fit on the tube guards. Fmb, are you talking about the tube guards?
This may be a stupid question but, is there a difference between an overhead fluorescent light ballast and a 12 volt ballast? I’m just curious if the ones at lowes will work instead of ordering one off of the internet?
I doubt lowes would have a 12v ballast…campers world may be worth checking…they may use them in rvs
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
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If you were ok with white, I have seen 1500 lumen 4’ t12 bulbs using LEDs. They are very tough, and do not need a ballast. Just straight wired. They are about $70 each though.
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I found every thing locally except the ballast. I didn’t know if there was a difference between a regular ballast and a 12 volt ballast. I will check with campers world tomorrow.
Ballasts are voltage specific so you will need one rated for 12V. I don’t know if sch 40 pvc fittings will fit on a tube guard but you can buy them up to 8’ long and as mentioned before you could probably use Plasti Dip to seal the ends. As cheap as they are you won’t be risking much by trying it. Probably less than $5.00 for a 4 ft version. I’m also not sure if the ballast that would fit in a tube guard. You might could find out who the OEM mfr is on the broken Hydra Glow and find a source on the net. Maybe I’m just getting lazy in my old age but I am going to break down and spend the $ for the LED Hydra Glow.
quote:
Originally posted by ECUPiratePVC fittings will fit on the tube guards. Fmb, are you talking about the tube guards?
I was talking about the bulbs, sorry
Probably the easiest thing to do, and I am definitely happy with my hydroglow. I just like tinkering, so I’m building one. As far as the tube guard goes, I just didn’t want to ruin $60 worth of bulb and ballast to find out. Clear pvc was about $5 per foot + shipping.
quote:
Originally posted by Curly DogBallasts are voltage specific so you will need one rated for 12V. I don’t know if sch 40 pvc fittings will fit on a tube guard but you can buy them up to 8’ long and as mentioned before you could probably use Plasti Dip to seal the ends. As cheap as they are you won’t be risking much by trying it. Probably less than $5.00 for a 4 ft version. I’m also not sure if the ballast that would fit in a tube guard. You might could find out who the OEM mfr is on the broken Hydra Glow and find a source on the net. Maybe I’m just getting lazy in my old age but I am going to break down and spend the $ for the LED Hydra Glow.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
I’ve got an inexpensive fluorescent 24" fishing light that I bought many years ago and it is in a sleeve very similar to a tube guard. I have thought about trying to make a new one with LED lamps since they’ve gotten much more affordable but the last thing I need right now is another science project. The Warden wants the inside of the house repainted among a host of other honey do’s that I just can’t keep up with.
I have everything I need to make my own 24" fluorescent except the ballast, which has been ordered. Once I get it all put together, I will post some pics for you guys to see. I figured it up last night and I have less than $50 in the project.
Pirate, I would really like to hear how that turns out, thinking about doing one myself
Got my 4’ light from www.greenfishlight.com.$145.Had it for 2 years and have not had any trouble. He has all the replacement parts. Located in Ga. As far is to attaching a weight to it.I take a zip tie that ia made for running cable and attach it to the coupling at the end of the light.These type of zip ties have a hole in one end. I then take a small piece of wire and attach my weight to it. I then take another zip tie and and attach the wire to the first zip tie.