number 12 is good for 20 amps so if you make your connections up correctly youll b fine..15 amp receptacles will work they just cannot be stabbed in the back or in other words you need to side wire them..connect to screws on the sides
you need the ballast and all other components to transform the voltage so that the lamps will fire..i believe you need alot of voltage to as well as firing aid capacotor..wiring them 240 v only reduces the amperage on the supplying cicuit