How to make a magnetic HPS ballast into a switchable mh/hps

[Sam the Caveman]

I'm pretty confident I could figure it out on my own, having basic wiring skills, but I would much rather be guided by an electrician. Preferably someone who knows where to get the proper rated switch that can handle the amps and a basic wiring diagram. I figured out how to wire up my ballast kit from the wiring directions that came with it, it took me a while though, so I could probably read one if you wrote one out. (just sayin', some people, I imagine, could not if their life depended on it)

I want to thank anyone who helps, and that it may benefit many more people than just myself.

 

[ninjagaiden]

"how to kill yourself AND light your house on fire" is how i read this

Kidding, good luck

 

[Sam the Caveman]

I have a very healthy respect for electricity and the dangers associated with it. I would not ever wire something not to code, mainly because I don't like burning to death in my sleep or at the very least watching my house burn down as I wait for the fire truck to arrive.

This is why I am interested in advice from an electrician who is familiar with building proper electrical circuits.

 

[ninjagaiden]

same here! i can take a car apart and put it back together but ANYTHING electrical i always outsource.

 

[Bud Bug]

I'm pretty confident I could figure it out on my own, having basic wiring skills, but I would much rather be guided by an electrician. Preferably someone who knows where to get the proper rated switch that can handle the amps and a basic wiring diagram. I figured out how to wire up my ballast kit from the wiring directions that came with it, it took me a while though, so I could probably read one if you wrote one out. (just sayin', some people, I imagine, could not if their life depended on it)

I want to thank anyone who helps, and that it may benefit many more people than just myself.

I don't have one in front of me but they cut out one of the ignitor wires can't remember which one though x1/x2 or x3

Other wise just run the MH bulb in the HPS ballast, it'll just burn out faster.

 

[frenzybud]

I don't have one in front of me but they cut out one of the ignitor wires can't remember which one though x1/x2 or x3

Other wise just run the MH bulb in the HPS ballast, it'll just burn out faster.

The bulb or the ballast??

I use 600 watt electronic ballasts, they are meant for HPS only.

Are you saying that I can use MH bulbs with those? I only use them for veg about 2 weeks at a time. So it doesn't really bother me if the bulbs burn out fast...

 

[growshopfrank]

I don't have one in front of me but they cut out one of the ignitor wires can't remember which one though x1/x2 or x3

Other wise just run the MH bulb in the HPS ballast, it'll just burn out faster.

the wire that the hack builders switch is usually X3 in many ballasts blue color code (X1 being hot to light X2 being common)

FWIW don't do this as its very hard on MH lamps get a HPS>MH conversion lamp or the correct ballast what you are doing is risky enough without risking catastrophic lamp failure with the possibility of fire

 

[growshopfrank]

The bulb or the ballast??

I use 600 watt electronic ballasts, they are meant for HPS only.

Are you saying that I can use MH bulbs with those? I only use them for veg about 2 weeks at a time. So it doesn't really bother me if the bulbs burn out fast...

600w HPS>MH conversion lamps are available

 

[Bud Bug]

I had two of these ballasts laying around http://store.professionalgardening....able-Ballast-Kit-400w-Mh--Hps-120v--240v.aspx

The X1 and x3 wires go to a toggle switch which I think is a Dual Pole, Single Throw switch. I imagine these get cut out when switched to MH. I've also read somewhere else you cut out x1 and x2 for the conversion so not sure which one is right. These ballasts are C/UL/US approved so I'd imagine that is right.

 

[growshopfrank]

I had two of these ballasts laying around http://store.professionalgardening....able-Ballast-Kit-400w-Mh--Hps-120v--240v.aspx

The X1 and x3 wires go to a toggle switch which I think is a Dual Pole, Single Throw switch. I imagine these get cut out when switched to MH. I've also read somewhere else you cut out x1 and x2 for the conversion so not sure which one is right. These ballasts are C/UL/US approved so I'd imagine that is right.

the ballasts that you speak of have 2 different capacitors one for MH and a different one for HPS operation and being of Chinese manufacture I would not put a lot of faith in compliance decals.

 

[Bud Bug]

the ballasts that you speak of have 2 different capacitors one for MH and a different one for HPS operation

No they don't. Just one capacitor and one igniter.

and being of Chinese manufacture I would not put a lot of faith in compliance decals.

Everything in this industry is made in China. There are ballasts like that that are not in any compliance and there are others that are.

 

[growshopfrank]

No they don't. Just one capacitor and one igniter.



Everything in this industry is made in China. There are ballasts like that that are not in any compliance and there are others that are.

Well bug wire a few up and get back to me.

 

[Bud Bug]

Well bug wire a few up and get back to me.

I know of three places running these ballast with a total of 50+ ballast. 0 problems so far and they are fully inspected for the licensed grows.