Help me pick a ballast pls!!

amnooneoo

Active Member
Hey guys and gals,

So, the choices are - Howard - Topstar - Venture..........150W - HPS

Yes, I know, they are magnetic. They all seem to have the same power factors and specs. But, which one would be the best decision? QUIET is my main concern, I dont want a beehive sound (at least too bad) in my room.

I have a POS 150W ballast, it runs VERY quiet and wouldn't be hard to silence, but the power factor is unreal, its not worth igniting in my opinion. Its a cheepo, so i would imagine one of those should be as quiet or more quiet.

Suggestions please!! :joint:

Thanks!
 

amnooneoo

Active Member
Doesn't look like they even make a 150watter? Im on a limited budget, I already have a reflector and a housing ready for a ballast. Thanks!
 

amnooneoo

Active Member
Ok, got the HOWARD HPS ballast kit, got it all to fit perfectly inside a standard ATX Power supply for a computer. Used the AC power input you would normally use for the power supply to be able to use any standard power cable to power it up. Took a 14ga extension cord, cut off the female side and wired it to the output on the Ballast. Took the remainder of the extension cord with male plug and wired it into the bulb. So, the female side hangs out of the enclosure ready for the male lamp input.

I picked the Howard Ballast because i had a fixture, with no ballast. And the power factor for these magnetic ballasts is awesome. My girls will be pleased!!
 
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