MH Ballast Help

[StarSage]

Greetings.

I've been interested in growing for the longest time. I have Bubbelicious seeds I wish to grow.

Anyways..

I purchased a 1000w metal halide bulb and a 1000w metal halide ballast to run the bulb. Problem is, I am not sure what the next step is. I have no idea how to read the chart on the ballast in what it tells me how to hook things up. I am attempting to make a 1000w metal halide lamp.

Perhaps, would any of you have any expertise to aid me in my dilemma?

Thank you,
Sage

 

[Damagoman]

You only got a bulb and a ballast?

You missin' the socket and hood/reflector?

 

[Damagoman]

I have a wordDoc with diagrams just not sure how to get it up ...
'er posted here (smrk)
It deals with making lights from scratch.
Here's some of the txt that may help ya':
Stolen form OverGrow written by FlowerMan
"
Let's examine what is inside a ballast. There really isn't much depending on which type of light you buy. An high pressure sodium (HPS) ballast consists of 3 parts: The transformer, the capacitor, and the ignitor. A metal halide (MH) ballast generally has just the transformer and capacitor.

Every single one of these parts is available at pretty much any lighting or electrical supply warehouse, including the bulb and socket. Break out the phone book and look in the yellow pages under "lighting". Call them and ask if they carry "Transformer, capacitor, ignitor (if for HPS), and socket" for whatever size bulb you wish to use (150, 400, 1000 etc.) and type (Metal halide or High pressure sodium) light you wish to purchase. Odds are, they will have it. If not, try another store until you find the one which has what you want. You can also order this stuff from many online electrical supply places. There is virtually no worry about having this stuff shipped to your house, since it did not come from a "high profile" hydro shop.

When you purchase your ballast components, be sure to buy the correct line voltage rating you intend to operate it on. Most homes in the US are wired for 120 volts. If your house happens to have a different voltage (IE: 210) then you need the corresponding ballast parts.

Another option is to purchase what is known as a "multi-tap" ballast. This type of ballast has a wire connection which can be changed to allow several optional voltages. Some stores may only carry multi-tap ballasts to save money on inventory. A multi-tap ballast will work fine in any situation. Multi-tap ballasts usually have the following options inside: 120/208/240 and 277 volts.

Besides the transformer, ignitor, capacitor, bulb and socket, you are going to also need the following: About 20 feet of 14(or better) gauge wire, a male plug set, about 8 wire nuts.

The wire and the plug are for installing the power cord and socket to your ballast. You can also simply buy a long heavy duty extension cord, which you then will cut up. Whatever wire you buy, make sure it is rated to at least 15 amps and 1500 watts (14 gauge). That size is good for wiring all the way up to 1000W lights. "

 

[StarSage]

All right, thank you very much for your help. I will definitely do that.