Help guide this NOOB (HPS Ballast purchase)

[Homey1Canobie]

Hello all,

I am about to buy a HPS ballast (250 watt) from http://www.businesslights.com/hps-ballast-kits-c-190.html

Would anyone recommend to me on a Brand? e.g. Howard, Venture or Topstar.

Also, I see Topstar 250W HPS Quad Tap Magnetic Ballast : $49.90

compared to the same watt ballast :
Topstar 250W HPS Quad Tap Magnetic Ballast case 4 : $179.60

As you can see a huge difference in price. Anyone know why? Im guessing because it is related to case 4...


I am going to be remoting this ballast to be used in a future Stealth setup, inside of a dresser or similar suitable cab. Is the heat from a 250 managable inside of a small enclosure ?

Sorry for all the questions. Just looking for a little guidence. Thanks in advance.

 

[simon]

Case 4 = a case of 4 ballasts (ie. a quantity of 4)

Simon

 

[big ballin 88]

Any ballast from them will b good. I like my howard ballast...

 

[Homey1Canobie]

Case 4 = a case of 4 ballasts (ie. a quantity of 4)

Simon

Makes sense ...

Appreciate the input big ballin..

Any bulb recomondations or type? I see there are a lot of choices. Not trying to cloud my decision with lots of this or that tech stuff.

 

[big ballin 88]

get a phillips CMH bulb their much better than a regular HPS.

 

[Homey1Canobie]

I did skim across a couple pages of info regarding the CMH bulb. It said that I should consider a quality ballast when using with a CMH bulb and make sure that the cord is no longer than 3 feet from ballast to lamp. Stating that the CMH bulbs are harder to start up.

I placed the order and should be getting it in a few days. I am planning a DIY cooltube and remoting the ballast inside a hollowed out radio reciever for stealth.

I am looking at the phillips brand CMH bulbs, are they compatible with my setup? Also, is this ballast able to run a MH bulb for vegging? And if it does run th MH bulb, is it worth it to use during veg over the CMH? Sorry for all the questions. Im sure there is no perfect answer and everyone has different opinions.

Venture V90D1711K 250 watt High Pressure Sodium standard - core and coil 60Hz magnetic ballast

V90D1711K HPS Ballast Specifications
Ballast Wattage: 250 watts
Input Voltage: 120/208/240/277
Circuit Type: CWA
Input Watts: 295
Max. Line Current 2.5/1.45/1.25/1.1
UL BenCh Top Rise Code: B/B/B/B
ANSI Code: S50
Capacitor uF/Volts: 35/280
Ignitor: VS005A
Transformer Wt.: 11.0 (lbs)
Bracket Type: Universal
Dimensions (in): 1.80/3.6

 

[Andyo]

moving the ignigtor

moving the ignigtor

In many cases you only need short lead length for the ignigtor not the ballasts and capacitors .
All my ignigtors are mounted on the reflectors and my ballasts in another room 5 mtrs away .
If you do this make sure all wires from ignigtor to lamp are well insulated.

 

[Homey1Canobie]

I Have a couple questions regarding the wiring of my Venture HPS ballast (250). The spec sheet is in the link below along with the wiring diagram. Its a .pdf file.

http://www.venturelighting.com/VLPS/BallastDataSheets/HPS/V90D1711.pdf

I cut a 14gauge 30 foot extension cord. The 3 wires I have are black, white and green. Is it unwise to use a cord this long? I have about 25 feet from the outlet to the ballast. I used this much for a just in case scenerio. Better to have than not right?

My ballast allready has the capacitor and starter wired up. Only wires that are left are the 4 voltage wires. I am using the 120 volt tap for my application. My question is this...Do I take this orange 120v from the ballast and wire it directly to the black wire of the extension cord?

I became confused after looking at all the diy ballast threads and seeing the wiring slighty different. Some threads show the black hot from the extension cord going to the capacitor tied together with the 120v ballast wire. Hope I am clear with this.

If I am right in thinking of takiing the black extension cord wire and putting it to the ballast 120v directly(Using a wire nut), then the white wire(nuetral?) from on the extension cord will go to the com wire coming of the ballast also...? I will be taking the green wire and grounding it to the metal work box I am mounting it in.



That leaves me with a red wire (x1) and a com wire (white nuetral). I am assumig these will be going to the lamp...

What about a ground wire for the lamp? Do i need one and if so how should I wire it?

Sorry for the rambling and all the questions. I am excited I am almost done with getting my setup running....

 

[Homey1Canobie]

TTT