Can I screw this light in a regular light socket?? I would assume so but I dont want to burn my house down.
Yea, im pretty sure you need a ballast. Im sure you can get a 70 watt ballast at home depot or something. its a security light. pay in cash.
how exactly does a ballast work. how does it screw in etc.. do you screw the light into the ballast, then the ballast into the socket or what?
Sometimes. and other times you have to assemble an electric circuit yourself. I reccomend a prebuilt system with the hood, light, and ballast. you cant really go wrong with that. i dont trust my electrical skills really. A ballast is used to basically kick the lamp on.
Here's why you need a ballast: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_ballast Here's probably the cheapest way to an HPS without knowing much about electricity (scroll down until you see the gutted security light): http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=29593 (sorry for linking to another forum, but knowledge is knowledge, right?)