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Good ballast?

d3thr0w

d3thr0w

Active Member
So i have had 2 150w hps bulbs for a long time now and i havent had the money for a ballast or could even find a 150w one. so i found this one on ebay but i want someone with experence in lights and all that to tell me if this is all good and if this is all else i would need to get my bulbs to work.

here is a link to the item.

http://cgi.ebay.com/150W-High-Pressure-Sodium-ballast-HPS-150-HPS150-120V_W0QQitemZ120454774214QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c0ba9fdc6&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262
 
d3thr0w

d3thr0w

Active Member
is this just used to repair a ballast or is it something i could use to put in my grow room? it would help alot to know because this is the only thing holding me back from getting it or not cause idk if its what i even need so help please! +rep for info
 
ReAVeR

ReAVeR

Well-Known Member
d3thr0w said:
is this just used to repair a ballast or is it something i could use to put in my grow room? it would help alot to know because this is the only thing holding me back from getting it or not cause idk if its what i even need so help please! +rep for info
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I tried clicking the link but it's removed. Can you post up a new link so I can help?
 
ReAVeR

ReAVeR

Well-Known Member
haha gotta do what you gotta do. whatever suits you best. goodluck and happy growin brotha
 
N

Nocturn3

Well-Known Member
That is a HPS ballast, and will work if you wire it up properly. I use a similar ballast that i removed from a hps security light.

If you aren't confident on wiring, look around for a cheap pre-wired security light instead, so you know in advance how it should be wired up.
 
d3thr0w

d3thr0w

Active Member
Nocturn3 said:
That is a HPS ballast, and will work if you wire it up properly. I use a similar ballast that i removed from a hps security light.

If you aren't confident on wiring, look around for a cheap pre-wired security light instead, so you know in advance how it should be wired up.
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ok it has (or i can easily get) a wiring chart but i just found this ballast that looks similar but from what i think is a better sorce...
http://www.1000bulbs.com/150-Watt-High-Pressure-Sodium/41058/
feedback please.
 
N

Nocturn3

Well-Known Member
Looks fine. Either one of those ballasts should work, as long as you follow the diagram properly. You should figure out a suitable container to mount them in, preferably earthed and vented, but other than that, you should be good to go.
 
d3thr0w

d3thr0w

Active Member
Nocturn3 said:
Looks fine. Either one of those ballasts should work, as long as you follow the diagram properly. You should figure out a suitable container to mount them in, preferably earthed and vented, but other than that, you should be good to go.
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you seem to know what your talking about so if you dont mind ima ask a few more questions :P
ive never even seen a hps ballast so im wondering if you just screw the bulb into one part and you plug it in to a normal outlet? ive seen diagrams and they have a ballast, ignitor, capasitor, and socket and wirering and terminals. this last one i posted says it doesnt have a capasitor, what does this mean?
 
N

Nocturn3

Well-Known Member
d3thr0w said:
you seem to know what your talking about so if you dont mind ima ask a few more questions :P
ive never even seen a hps ballast so im wondering if you just screw the bulb into one part and you plug it in to a normal outlet? ive seen diagrams and they have a ballast, ignitor, capasitor, and socket and wirering and terminals. this last one i posted says it doesnt have a capasitor, what does this mean?
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I'm no electrician, but my understanding is that the capacitor is not needed, but having one can ensure that your ballast is not costing you more to run than it should. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can chime in with the specifics here. :mrgreen:

You plug the ballast into a normal outlet, and attach the bulb as per the diagram, via a socket. I recommend using a ceramic bulb socket for heat reasons. If you can buy a cheap reflector from a hydro shop, it will have a ceramic socket attached anyway.
 
d3thr0w

d3thr0w

Active Member
Nocturn3 said:
I'm no electrician, but my understanding is that the capacitor is not needed, but having one can ensure that your ballast is not costing you more to run than it should. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can chime in with the specifics here. :mrgreen:

You plug the ballast into a normal outlet, and attach the bulb as per the diagram, via a socket. I recommend using a ceramic bulb socket for heat reasons. If you can buy a cheap reflector from a hydro shop, it will have a ceramic socket attached anyway.
Click to expand...
so you have to wire up a socket? can that be any screw in socket? i really wish i could jsut afford the good shit :P
 
N

Nocturn3

Well-Known Member
I just did a quick google, and it turns ot that capacitors are used to "correct the power factor". This is from the wiki article for "power factor"

The power factor of an AC electric power system is defined as the ratio of the real power flowing to the load to the apparent power,[1][2] and is a number between 0 and 1 (frequently expressed as a percentage, e.g. 0.5 pf = 50% pf). Real power is the capacity of the circuit for performing work in a particular time. Apparent power is the product of the current and voltage of the circuit. Due to energy stored in the load and returned to the source, or due to a non-linear load that distorts the wave shape of the current drawn from the source, the apparent power can be greater than the real power.
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So on an operating level, the capacitor serves no purpose, but on a billing level, it may save you money.


so you have to wire up a socket? can that be any screw in socket? i really wish i could jsut afford the good shit :P
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Yeah, you need a socket. I use a 250 HPS, and the socket is larger than a normal one (E40), but I think the 150 uses a normal size (E27) fitting. You may want to double check that though. I would definately advise using a ceramic socket, as the bulbs get pretty hot.

You may find it cheaper/easier to look for a cheap pre-built hps flood light, since that will have everything you need, including the ballast, bulb, socket and a (usually crappy) reflector.

I know how it is to set up a grow with hardly any money. It is a pain in the ass, but after your first real harvest, it gets a LOT easier. :mrgreen:
 
d3thr0w

d3thr0w

Active Member
Nocturn3 said:
I just did a quick google, and it turns ot that capacitors are used to "correct the power factor". This is from the wiki article for "power factor"

So on an operating level, the capacitor serves no purpose, but on a billing level, it may save you money.


Yeah, you need a socket. I use a 250 HPS, and the socket is larger than a normal one (E40), but I think the 150 uses a normal size (E27) fitting. You may want to double check that though. I would definately advise using a ceramic socket, as the bulbs get pretty hot.

You may find it cheaper/easier to look for a cheap pre-built hps flood light, since that will have everything you need, including the ballast, bulb, socket and a (usually crappy) reflector.

I know how it is to set up a grow with hardly any money. It is a pain in the ass, but after your first real harvest, it gets a LOT easier. :mrgreen:
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i know the 150s (atleast the ones i have) fit into normal sockets like any other bulb.

now with the capacitor, its to save money but would a 150 watt even be using THAT much power really?
 
N

Nocturn3

Well-Known Member
I doubt it makes much difference, to be honest. I use one, but that's because it came with the setup. I suppose you could always add one later if you feel the need, but you should be fine without one for now, at least from an up-and-running perspective. Once you don't have to buy weed any more, you will probably have more money to optimize and fine-tune your setup.
 
d3thr0w

d3thr0w

Active Member
Nocturn3 said:
I doubt it makes much difference, to be honest. I use one, but that's because it came with the setup. I suppose you could always add one later if you feel the need, but you should be fine without one for now, at least from an up-and-running perspective. Once you don't have to buy weed any more, you will probably have more money to optimize and fine-tune your setup.
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well hope i can order this and get some good light on my plants. thanks for all the help man
 
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