how can i tell if my babies are too hot???????

[stinkyattic]

and the ballast is very very very HOT and gives off a funky smell!!
any clues any one

Ballasts run warm, but the hot hot hot is worrisome, and the funky smell is downright scary. I'd double check that all the wires you used are rated more than the peak amps on your system. Look for wires and extension cords rated 18 amps to be safe. The smell and heat can both be an overloaded circuit, so I'm glad you're truning the system off when you're not home.