Make hps bulb run off Homedepot ballast

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Blazex1, Nov 25, 2011.

  1. #1 Blazex1, Nov 25, 2011
    Can anyone tell me how I can make an hps bulb power from a ballast bought at homedepot?
     
  2. #2 poppybgood, Nov 25, 2011
    You need the correct ballast for the correct bulb. It's as simple as that.
     
  3. #3 Blazex1, Nov 25, 2011
    well ive done some reading I found out to make my own ballast I need a capacitor , a transformer and an ignitor how do I know which type of all of these I need?

    because I really dont think homedepot has the right ballast
     
  4. #4 jennybunny, Nov 25, 2011
    thats some crazy stuff your getting into man i would just buy a normal ballast my friend. Never know what could go wrong when making one.
     
  5. #5 Blazex1, Nov 26, 2011
    er well im trying to save on money for a ballast, I did find a kit for a 400w for 80 bucks on ebay Ive seen people do it Honestly what can the risk be?
     
  6. #6 RO76, Nov 26, 2011
    Fire... And most likely you gonna end up buying (spending more money) right one later on.:wave:
     
  7. #7 Blazex1, Nov 26, 2011
    how would it start on fire? besides faulty wiring , which is only going to spark and i will catch right away...

    how do you figure I would most likely end up spending more money later, it will cost 80 bucks thats half the price a ballast would cost.

    does anyone have anything smart to say or worth reading
    or tips?
     
  8. #8 RO76, Nov 26, 2011
    There is not much to say.You get what you pay for. If you want reliable headache free set up , then it will require more money to spent. Do not assume that those who pay 2-3 times more for "brand" equipment just some reach idiots.People just do not want to deal(anymore) with problems following side by side with shitty equipment . For instance some people buy cheap no name grow tents from ebay , many who bought them experiencing problems such as: Toxic fumes sometimes can kill all plants inside, zippers are tearing off, intake holes are smaller than they should be....
    But call is yours... I hope everything works out the way you think .:wave:
     
  9. #9 RO76, Nov 26, 2011
  10. #10 Blazex1, Nov 27, 2011
    well whats the most reliable hps ballast for the best price ?
     
  11. #11 RO76, Nov 27, 2011
    HPS ballast and MH ballasts are so yesterday..... Digital ballasts such NextGen and Lumatek (well there is some others) can run MH and HPS bulbs. Those listed above are probably the most popular.
    I had a really hard time to decide between two ,both are nice . But I end up getting Lumatek,reason-no moving parts (cooling fans like in NextGen) . Lumatek comes with 5 years warranty (NrxtGen probably does too )....
    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ynVwcQv-hY]Lumatek Ballast Side By Side Tour - 1000W, 600W, 400W - YouTube[/ame]
    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6_XcO0hsUY]NextGen Digital Ballasts - YouTube[/ame]
     
  12. #12 Blazex1, Nov 27, 2011
    nice! I will probably go with the lumatek now since I found a 600w one for 130 which is only 50 dollars more than I planned on spending to make my own 400w hps limited ballast
    and ontop of that its worth it for the warranty,

    thanks R0 and i looked at your grow its great what did you veg under?
     
  13. #13 RO76, Nov 27, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 28, 2011
    I kept them under 125W CFL for couple of days , then under Metal Halide (Digilux),I was blasting full 600W after few days of germination.
    P.S.Make sure to save your receipt(proof of purchase) so if something happens to your ballast you can always get a brand new one at no cost . :wave:
     
  14. #14 RO76, Nov 27, 2011
    One more thing . Sometimes ballast and reflector may have different plugs in that case you must get an adapter ($10). Here is the chart ballast/reflector so you can see if your ballast need an adapter.Ballast & Reflector/Hood Compatibility Chart
     

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