Powering Canopy Fans

[mr_alberta]

Hi,

I was wondering if I could power 2 AC fans off of the line running from my electronic MH ballast to the bulb? Will this damage the ballast or fans or both?

Thanks.

[Delphinus]

I don't think I'd do that. I'm no electrician so I don't really know what's going on, but I believe the current that goes to the bulb is quite variable. Ie. big surge at startup, tapers off, then I don't know if it increases or decreases as the bulb heats up. If I understand this correctly, it is something like basically the resistance of the bulb itself decreases as it heats so the ballast has to work to decrease the power going to the bulb in order to maintain constant output.

But, like I said that's really just based on my own non-understanding.

It's easy enough to run new wires for the fans..

[mr_alberta]

Yeah, it would be easy just to run another cord for the fans, but I would like to keep the number of cords going in/out of my DIY pendant as few as possible.

[StirCrazy]

do you use a timer for you lights? if so get a multi receptical after the timer so you are tapping off befor your mh and the timer will controle both.

Steve