MH Ballast help

mseepman · #1 01-27-2009, 05:05 PM

I use a ballast from Ballastwise for my 70W mh nano light fixture. They are electronic, so they are silent and don't get too hot.

Here's a link....http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?...FID=17&level=1

Hope that helps. One thing to note, they are not fantastic shippers across the border...I had to put all the paperwork together myself, pre-pay the shipping company and then they shipped it.

BCOrchidGuy · #2 01-27-2009, 06:25 PM

Don't know how much you know about electricity but one thing I do know is don't mess with a capacitor with your bare hands. There is a way to discharge it but I can't remember what it is, someone else will post I'm sure but the capacitor holds the charge so even after you've unplugged the unit the capacitor is still holding enough of a bang to make your day not so great.

Douglas

parkinsn · #3 01-27-2009, 07:10 PM

If your ballast is "humming" its the core and coil your capacitor should be fine. As stated above try Westburne, EECOL, GESCAN, Wesco, none of these places will have them in stock though as they are a special order only due to the imput voltage required to start "our aquarium" lamps. Here is a link to the Ushio website, it has your ballast code on the end of the chart under spec's

http://www.ushio.com/products/genera...h-aqualite.htm

P.S. you can discharge the cap by touching the ends to something grounded and conductive. Not your hand

mike31154 · #4 01-27-2009, 08:29 PM

A screwdriver with an insulated handle may be used to discharge the capacitor. Just lay the metal part of the screwdriver across the capacitor terminals and it will discharge. Could be a bit of a spark when you contact the second terminal so make sure you're not around anything flammable.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #5 01-27-2009, 11:15 PM

Thanks for all the responses. I don't know if I want to be messing with the ballast myself though. I don't know anything about them.

I think I will either try to replace it or for the new tank build, build a box to hide it in under the tank and try to keep it quiet.

I am just sick of hearing the thing...but it does seem to be still working.

mike31154 · #6 01-27-2009, 11:30 PM

Well, if it still works, no need to mess with it. The only thing you'll find in there if it's a magnetic dual ballast is two monster transformers, two gargantuan capacitors and associated wiring/connectors. Be careful about hiding it too well, it needs good air circulation for cooling. Those 400W babys get warm. Come to think of it, it should have at least one fan for the housing.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #7 01-27-2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike31154

Well, if it still works, no need to mess with it. The only thing you'll find in there if it's a magnetic dual ballast is two monster transformers, two gargantuan capacitors and associated wiring/connectors. Be careful about hiding it too well, it needs good air circulation for cooling. Those 400W babys get warm. Come to think of it, it should have at least one fan for the housing.

Yeah I should have been more clear...I was hoping to make a box that breathes and has a fan or two. Maybe I should not though?

The darn ballast is just so massive and loud.

It actually doesn't get as hot as you may think...its hot but I can still put my hand on it with no problems.

parkinsn · #8 01-28-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

Thanks for all the responses. I don't know if I want to be messing with the ballast myself though. I don't know anything about them.

I think I will either try to replace it or for the new tank build, build a box to hide it in under the tank and try to keep it quiet.

I am just sick of hearing the thing...but it does seem to be still working.

If your going to keep it in a box and its humming still, something you can try to dampen the vibration are hockey pucks or you can buy actual transformer (thats all a ballast is) vibration plates but they are virtually hockey pucks

GreenSpottedPuffer · #9 01-28-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkinsn

If your going to keep it in a box and its humming still, something you can try to dampen the vibration are hockey pucks or you can buy actual transformer (thats all a ballast is) vibration plates but they are virtually hockey pucks

Ok, thanks.

LOL...I am confused though. Where would I be putting these hockey pucks? Just under the ballast?

pterfloth · #10 01-28-2009, 08:20 PM

I upgraded my 175w ballasts to 250w ballasts by replacing the transformers and coils inside the ballast boxes with units I bought from Nedco in Vancouver. They have Vancouver, Burnaby and Richmond outlets. You can match up the ballast and coils you need using the ANSI chart under the Canreef lighting forum, eg M59 transformer and coil for Hamilton 400w.

To hook up the new transformers and coils, just connect up the wires the same way the old ones were. The color coded wires are consistent from unit to unit. It is pretty easy to do.

The upgrade cost me $80/unit and took me about 1 hour.