MH ballast ?

[Awibrandy]

I have a Duo 250 watt MH ballast. Now I need to run power cords to the fixture in order to plug them in to the ballast cause the ballast has two outlets, so don't have to have the ballast inside the fixture. With that said:

Does anyone know what gauge do I need to look for when I go to Lowes this morning? Please

Anyone know where I can get a relatively inexpensive MH electronic ballast for my 250 watt MH?
I'm pretty certain one of the 3 ballast in my AquaMedic fixture blew, hence the blown out lamp & smell.

I really need to replace it ASAP before my RBTA decides to go wandering.

Also, is there a diff between the ballast sold through marine internet stores, and the ones sold at electrician's stores? Could I just go to an electrical store, and pick up a ballast?

 

[Awibrandy]

Where is Frank when I need him?:scratchch

 

[Awibrandy]

Oh come one. Someone must know the answer to the above..

Please

 

[Mattl22]

Borderjo just posted a 250w mh ballast in for sale thread for $100 a few min ago

 

[Mattl22]

And it's an ice cap
I tried going to an electrical supply store for one once and was looked at like I had 3 heads

 

[Awibrandy]

And it's an ice cap
I tried going to an electrical supply store for one once and was looked at like I had 3 heads

Yeah, that's what I thought.

 

[Awibrandy]

Guys, if I were to get a my hands on a MH ballast that has the outlets, can I reconfigure it to work with my light fixture?
My light fixture has the internal little white ballast boxes.

 

[KathyC]

I was told to should use the proper ballast as a replacement when messing with electricity, for safety's sake.

I just recently had to replace the ballast in my Tek fixture - so I took the Model # off the ballast and popped it into Google.
I found the ballast for $12 less at an electrical supply place rather than one of the typical marine places we usually order them through and they shipped it to me that same day. I paid $37 vs the $49 at the marine supply houses.
It was identical to the one that came out of the fixture - except for the brand.
They shipped UPS Ground and I got it in 2 days from Georgia. You might even find one locally!

 

[Awibrandy]

Thanks Kat!

 

[Awibrandy]

I got a Duo 250 watt MH ballast!!!!Yipeeeee

A HUGE THANK YOU TO ZIGGY:hug:

Tomorrow morning I will go to Lowes, and pick up wire with 3 prong plug.
Just in case I can't find the real electrician: What gauge should I get for this monster ballast?

 

[Ziggy]

I got a Duo 250 watt MH ballast!!!!Yipeeeee

A HUGE THANK YOU TO ZIGGY:hug:

Tomorrow morning I will go to Lowes, and pick up wire with 3 prong plug.
Just in case I can't find the real electrician: What gauge should I get for this monster ballast?

NO NEED TO THANK!Any time!

 

[Awibrandy]

Any one know what gauge power cord to get for the 250 watt MH?

 

[Awibrandy]

I need to run power cords to the fixture in order to plug them in to the ballast cause the ballast has two outlets, so don't have to have the ballast inside the fixture. With that said:

Does anyone know what gauge do I need to look for when I go to Lowes this morning? Please

 

[Awibrandy]

Picked up 2 SJT 14 GAUGE CORDS at Lowes. Waiting on my two son's to get the fixture off of the canopy so I can go to work.

 

[Awibrandy]

And now I just want to cry.;(
I took the end cap off, these are what I found. I tried to take the big boxy white one out, took the screws out. But it won't budge.

 

[Awibrandy]

I tried "GOOGLE" "YOUTUBE" "BING", nothing... There are no instructions. I even tried Aquamedic....:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

 

[Awibrandy]

It wasn't the ballast after all! It so happens that the 2 transformers that step the darn thing down from 220 to 120 fried. Yes, all the components are German.
Tried to secure a 250 watt M58 ballast with no luck!

Not sure if I can use the ballast I got from Ziggy. The outlets on it are not standard.

Currently my tank is being lit by 2 MH lamps & the PC. The left side of my reef is getting some light, but not much.;(
How long can it stay this way?