reason for a ballast?

What is the reason for buying a ballast? This question may sound stupid but I really have no idea...

Ballast are used to run High output Bulbs. Metal Halide, HPS, ect..

Ballasts provide the necessary voltage for startup and regulate it for the light to run.

thanks Now what about voltage? I'm looking at a 250W HPS ballast and their are two. here's the link http://www.1000bulbs.com/250-Watt-High-Pressure-Sodium/

the ones on the top and bottom of the page. Does the voltage have to match up with the bulb or does it not matter?

so wat if u have a hps light but no ballast is it needed to grow ??

grassroots said:

so wat if u have a hps light but no ballast is it needed to grow ??

Click to expand...

The ballast is what powers the light.... without it all you have is a light fixture with NO LIGHT.

i have a 150 watt hps i just plug it into the wall i think it for an outside light but says 150 watt High pressure sodium on the light and i dont got
a ballast.

For those who are unfamiliar with ballasts... they are not only used in MH or HPS lighting... they are also used in the common fluorescent tube lighting fixtures (shop lights.....kitchens etc). The ballasts in those are just hidden from view inside the fixture.

If you've ever had one of these lights where they don't power up quickly or at all... or begin to flicker and so you change the tubes.... only to discover the problem is still happening? It's the ballast going out ... therefore not properly powering the lights.

Easy to fix.... go to home depot get a new ballast and wire it up.

grassroots said:

i have a 150 watt hps i just plug it into the wall i think it for an outside light but says 150 watt High pressure sodium on the light and i dont got
a ballast.

Click to expand...

Not likely..... The ballast is built into the fixture. If you don't believe me and think yours is one for outside then go look it up on Home Depot's website..... you will see that with these fixtures the ballast is built in.... but there IS a ballast.

Last question! Does the voltage matter?

Charfizcool said:

Last question! Does the voltage matter?

Click to expand...

Yes, if you are in the United States 110-120 is the standard voltage for residences.

If you are in Europe ... I believe the standard is 220-230


Make sure the ballast you buy is correct for the voltage where you live.

Charfizcool said:

thanks Now what about voltage? I'm looking at a 250W HPS ballast and their are two. here's the link HPS Ballasts - CFL Ballasts - Fulham Ballasts - 1000Bulbs.com

the ones on the top and bottom of the page. Does the voltage have to match up with the bulb or does it not matter?

Click to expand...

First off, that is a ballast kit. That's just the innards, the parts that make up a ballast, it does not have the cord and framework to hold the ballast. Those are meant for commercial applications where they already have a light fixture and need to add or replace the ballast. You want a complete light setup.

And yes the voltage has to match but if you buy a light kit you'll have what you need. High Tech Garden Supply (HTGS) has some great low cost HID (High Intensity Discharge) lights.

High Tech Garden Supply


I just bought the HTGS branded 400 watt HPS (High Pressure Sodium) one for flowering and I'm pretty happy with it so far. It's a budget light but it works well and is small. It was so inexpensive and had everything I needed so it was actually better/cheaper than building a CFL (Compact FLorescent) light myself for flowering. I built my own veg light but for just a little more I could have gotten an HID one. It's got more than twice the lumen that I would have had with the 12 CFL's I planed to use. Also those CFL's would have come close to the 400 watts of the HPS so I think it was the best bet for my situation.

High Tech Garden Supply


FYI: Here is a link to the voltages you use in your country but your household voltage should be around 120 or 220 V.

Electricity Around the World

P.S. One thing about the CFL's that seems to be true for my situation (bag seeds, soil) is that the plants have stayed really short because I've kept the CFL's within an inch of the plants at all times. They've grown a lot but in a nice wide but tight manner with the branches very close together. The antithesis of a stretched plant if you will. Perfect for my closet grow.

Kludge said:

First off, that is a ballast kit. That's just the innards, the parts that make up a ballast, it does not have the cord and framework to hold the ballast. Those are meant for commercial applications where they already have a light fixture and need to add or replace the ballast. You want a complete light setup.

And yes the voltage has to match but if you buy a light kit you'll have what you need. High Tech Garden Supply (HTGS) has some great low cost HID (High Intensity Discharge) lights.

High Tech Garden Supply


I just bought the HTGS branded 400 watt HPS (High Pressure Sodium) one for flowering and I'm pretty happy with it so far. It's a budget light but it works well and is small. It was so inexpensive and had everything I needed so it was actually better/cheaper than building another CFL (Compact FLorescent) light for flowering. It's got more than twice the lumen that I would have had with the 12 CFL's I planed to use. Also those CFL's would have come close to the 400 watts of the HPS so I think it was the best bet for my situation.

High Tech Garden Supply


FYI: Here is a link to the voltages you use in your country but your household voltage should be around 120 or 220 V.

Electricity Around the World

Click to expand...

thanks!!! I'm buying my HPS setup from them.

LMAO, you can see how much I edit my own writing looking at your post Char... I'm anal.