changed capacitors on my ballast(pics)

[davejnz]

After switching over to an Iwasaki bulb a few days ago,I planned on switching out my M58/H37 ballast to a H37 ballast(H37 is the preffered Iwasaki ballast).
After talking with Dakar,he recommended just switching the capacitors out.
The M58/H37 uses a 15uF cap while the H37 uses a 22.5uF cap.The results are in the pics.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e162/davejnz/2003_0101sakiballast0002.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e162/davejnz/2003_0101sakiballast0005.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e162/davejnz/2003_0101sakiballast0001.jpg
This is a before pic taken without actinics
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e162/davejnz/15ufcap.jpg
And a really bad after pic(microbubbles,forgot to fill up the top-off bucket)
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e162/davejnz/22.jpg

[davejnz]

Here's another shot after i topped off,LOL.With this pic,I reduced the exposure so it didn't appear so bright.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e162/davejnz/22uF.jpg

[dakar]

At least in the photos, it looks like the capacitor change alone made a lot of difference.. the additional punch of the larger cap really drives the Iwasaki bulb. Given the exposure limits of cameras, how does it look in person?

Maybe my thoughts on the MagnaCrap ballasts weren't so far off, the core/coils are pretty much identical in their output voltage/current, but the cap's are what really makes the difference. The 22.5uF on the true H37 releases a larger current each time it discharges vs. th 15uF on the MH/MV combo.

Notice any significant start up time differeces?
Still going to hook up the Advance core and see if there is a difference?

[davejnz]

Start up time was a little quicker.The bulb does seem to be brighter with the new cap.I'm still gonna switch out the ballast to the Advance H37 though.I'd say the pictures accurately represent the color/brightness.Now,to just build a new canopy and install my 2x39w-T5-blue+ and this tank will be complete.

[davejnz]

Well,I made the mistake of not insulating the capacitor leads.I figured since i'd be switching the ballasts out today,I left the enclosure open.Well,I gotta phone call from my wife today while i was at the LFS.She told me the ballast sounded like it exploded.Seems one of the leads from the capacitor touched the aluminum enclosure(ground)and it exploded.

[davejnz]

Dakar,you wouldn't happen to know of a source for these caps would you,LOL.Lesson to all,always insulate all electrical connections.

[dakar]

LOL... it spooged! Aww man it was the good cap too!

Sourcing the cap is gonna get tricky, call any local electrical supply wharehouses and hope you get lucky... in the interim you can safely use the 15uF capacitor and fire the Iwasaki like it was a halide.. I'll dig through my parts and see if I have an extra.

[jerryc]

Dave a another good place to find them is a electrical motor shop i get most of the ones i use from one.

[davejnz]

Well,I switched out the ballasts.I decided to pull out the Magnatek and relplace it with an Advance M58/H37 i have.Once i find one of those 22.5uF caps,I'll put the true H37 ballast back in.

[perpetual98]

I've got 2 caps in my garage, but I think they're different from what you need. Let me see if I can find them..

Eric

[davejnz]

That would be great Eric,let me know what you find.

[perpetual98]

Well, I found one of them and it's not what you're after. I'm not sure where the other one is. I'll have to dig.

[davejnz]

I found a 22.5uF cap rated at 270V manufactured by guess who(Magnatek).The Advance cap has a 300v rating.Think the one i found will work?

[dakar]

That should work David... struck out here too :(

[davejnz]

Well,I gotta buy 5 of them at a time(e-bay store)so if anybody wants one,let me know.