Removing an attached ballast

Hi all, we have a 400 w floralux hps lamp seen here:

http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=49307

The ballast gets really hot and is making the room temps go up to almost 90. I was thinking of removing the ballast... is that possible? I want to get the ballast out of the room so temps stay lower. Anyone ever try this before? I assume some re-wiring would need to be done...? Thanks!

helloooooooo

It can be done, although I have no idea how to do it.

The first thing that came to mind as I read this : https://www.rollitup.org/do-yourself/8499-convert-common-home-security-light.html

Although the light you mentioned is completely different, it may just help.

Hope it helps, happy growing!

I got one just like it.. and im gonna make mine remote, ive disassembled it and know what i have to do.. so as soon as i get it done, ill post a how-to w some pics. peace

It's easy. You will only have a black and white wire from the ballast. Take a good heavy duty extension cord, cut it to the length desired, and use good crimp wire terminals (or solder, or wire nuts (my least favorite)) to extend the 2 wires actually going to the socket of the lamp. It is Important to keep the color code right. Wherever the black wire went, it still needs to go to the same screw, same with the white.

nDanger said:

It's easy. You will only have a black and white wire from the ballast. Take a good heavy duty extension cord, cut it ........

Click to expand...

you can put the female end to the ballast & the male to the lamp so it can be disconected to move.dont go more than 10 feet- less is better
after rewiring the lamp,keep an eye on the cord near the lamp as extension cord is not made for the heat & over time it will become brittle.that being said,I used one for about 5-6 grow cycles befor replacing & it could have gone a few more.

with those wattages you need something heavier than an extension cord. even the heavy duty ones arent suitable for any real distance

if you want to really seperate them, you will need RV power cord.

and all you have to do is extend the two wires at the base of the socket. but you will need some way to enclose the splices at the light and ballast

if nothing else works (romex connector...etc.) buy wire with 1 more conductor than you need and wrap that extra wire around a screw or something
just to keep preassure off the splice.

solder's your best bet, with a little shrink tube. i personally do not like crimp conectors, i work as an electrician and they are nothing but a pain in my ass.
wire nuts work good but certain guidlines must be followed depending on the size and type of conductors being spliced.

solid to stranded, extend stranded wire 1/8th-1/4th inch beyond solid wire, apply wirenut, twist.

oh hell just make sure at least 1/2-3/4 inch of each wire is under the wire nut. if your really paranoid about conductivity get a tube of anticurrosive goo at the lectrical supply house. prevents currosion and is conductive

I don't know why people don't just buy the remote ballast systems from the start. You have to do some significant work...it isn't just snip some wires and make 'em longer.