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New ballast box


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  1. #1
    dakar - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
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    NOLA
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    First Name
    Dave

    Default New ballast box

    Thought I'd share this with any future Lighting DIY'ers out there.

    Here's a shot of an 8x10x8 electrical box I rescued from a junk bin to house the ballasts for our lighting. So far it's working out great. Drill a few holes, a few mongo pop rivits later and viola. In there now are just two Advanced 71A3592 ballasts to drive the 250w Iwasaki's. We have a MAGNETEK 1030-93-500K ballast due in tommorrow to drive the 400w, there should be plenty of room to fit it into the top portion of the box.

    So far it's working out well. Looks like I may need to add a fan to it to help keep things cool, with just the 250's in there it gets a tad bit warm since it's sealed up pretty tight (actually it was a watertight enclosure). Noise isn't too bad, a bit of vibration hum but I think it's more from resonating inside the box. I'll sort it out after I get the 400 in there.

    All connections but those going to the lights (for now) are all soldered and covered with heat shrink tubing to help prevent and of the smoke from falling out.

    Easy stuff
    Every electronic device is manufactured with smoke stored deep inside... only a true genius can find a way to set it free.

  2. #2
    BUGZME - Reefkeeper Registered User
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    Oct 2004
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    WEST JORDAN UTAH
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    Default

    I did the same thing with my ballasts except I put them outside the house.
    THANKS JEFF
    2-45 GALLON FRAG TANKS
    55 SHOW TANK

  3. #3
    dakar - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
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    NOLA
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    Dave

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BUGZME
    I did the same thing with my ballasts except I put them outside the house.
    Outside the house...like through the wall outside? Hmmmm I've drilled quite a number of holes though the walls in the house, running antenna cables and stuff... think Angel will notice a couple more? I left the runs to lamps (used 12/3) about 4 feet longer than needed for future moves... hmmm got me thinking now..
    Every electronic device is manufactured with smoke stored deep inside... only a true genius can find a way to set it free.

  4. #4
    BUGZME - Reefkeeper Registered User
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    Oct 2004
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    WEST JORDAN UTAH
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    Default

    Yes I mounted all 4 of them in 2 weatherproof boves and fished the lamp wires through the walls. That way I use a relay and can have them running on 240 volts to save a little money.
    THANKS JEFF
    2-45 GALLON FRAG TANKS
    55 SHOW TANK

  5. #5
    dakar - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    NOLA
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    Dave

    Default

    That's some pretty good thinking there. These are all multi-tap ballasts, sticker says 120V @ .9A and 220V @ .4A Guess that .1A would save a little on the 'lectric bill.. Any idea if driving them with 220 would have any effect on the output? ie maybe drive the bulbs a little harder?
    Every electronic device is manufactured with smoke stored deep inside... only a true genius can find a way to set it free.

  6. #6
    BUGZME - Reefkeeper Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    WEST JORDAN UTAH
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    Default

    No there is no difference from 120 to 220. 220 uses the power better because you have 2 phases.
    THANKS JEFF
    2-45 GALLON FRAG TANKS
    55 SHOW TANK

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