MH Ballast help

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by pterfloth

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.

Thanks. I may look into this then. So then is it possible to switch parts to make this an HQI ballast?

[parkinsn]

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

Ok, thanks.

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

ya you just stick them under the ballast to absorb the vibration

[parkinsn]

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

Thanks. I may look into this then. So then is it possible to switch parts to make this an HQI ballast?

the only diffrence between HQI and SE is the lamp initial operating voltage, right now i am running my SE's with an HQI PFO ballast. Note that you will shorten the lamp life doing this, by how much im not sure but i wouldnt think it to be substantial though.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by parkinsn

the only diffrence between HQI and SE is the lamp initial operating voltage, right now i am running my SE's with an HQI PFO ballast. Note that you will shorten the lamp life doing this, by how much im not sure but i wouldnt think it to be substantial though.

Ok but it doesn't work the other way around right?

Like I cannot use HQI bulbs with my current ballast?

[parkinsn]

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

Ok but it doesn't work the other way around right?

Like I cannot use HQI bulbs with my current ballast?

I dont think so because the start up voltage for the HQI is higher, but i have never tryed going that way. It might work but you may not get the lamp to full bright.

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by parkinsn

the only diffrence between HQI and SE is the lamp initial operating voltage, right now i am running my SE's with an HQI PFO ballast. Note that you will shorten the lamp life doing this, by how much im not sure but i wouldnt think it to be substantial though.

It all depends on the bulb itself. I am using Radium 20K SEs which are spec'd for HQI ballasts. They will not have shortened lamp life by running them on an HQI ballast.