Metal Halide Connection

[Reefing102]

Good morning!

I have a selectable electronic ballast (For Grow lights) and just bought an older metal halide fixture. I didn’t realize the fixture didn’t have the ballast connector (just bare wires). Can someone tell me what this connector is called so I can buy one to wire to the fixture? I checked the add description and it doesn’t say the connection type.

 

[MnFish1]

Good morning!

I have a selectable electronic ballast (For Grow lights) and just bought an older metal halide fixture. I didn’t realize the fixture didn’t have the ballast connector (just bare wires). Can someone tell me what this connector is called so I can buy one to wire to the fixture? I checked the add description and it doesn’t say the connection type.

Are you sure that the ballast for the 'Grow lights' will work for the 'old metal halide fixture'? Is the picture one of the cords that you have?

 

[WVNed]

https://hamiltontechnology.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=117&product_id=205

 

[Reefing102]

That pic is from the Amazon listing we’re I bought it from (I’m at work right now) It states that it works with metal halide and sodium bulbs. That’s the listing below

 

[Reefing102]

https://hamiltontechnology.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=117&product_id=205

Thank you! I knew I had seen it somewhere but couldn’t find it!

 

[MnFish1]

That pic is from the Amazon listing we’re I bought it from (I’m at work right now) It states that it works with metal halide and sodium bulbs. That’s the listing below

Great - Looks like the pins match with what @WVNed wrote. I'm surprised that there are 'dimmable'options. I'm no ballast expert - when I had metal halide I was told to be careful when replacing ballast - as certain brands to not work with others. At first it was unclear if you had the part you pictured - or you were looking for that part. Good luck

 

[WVNed]

Great - Looks like the pins match with what @WVNed wrote. I'm surprised that there are 'dimmable'options. I'm no ballast expert - when I had metal halide I was told to be careful when replacing ballast - as certain brands to not work with others. At first it was unclear if you had the part you pictured - or you were looking for that part. Good luck

The are two types of connectors between the ballast and the lamp in general use. The one asked about is the same as the ones on my lights. I do not remember what either are officially called.
You cab also buy adapters.
Weed has given HM a whole new life. Unfortunately most of the stuff is 400 watts or more.

 

[MnFish1]

The are two types of connectors between the ballast and the lamp in general use. The one asked about is the same as the ones on my lights. I do not remember what either are officially called.
You cab also buy adapters.
Weed has given HM a whole new life. Unfortunately most of the stuff is 400 watts or more.

Right - that was my question - wouldn't a 400 watt ballast perhaps be too big for a reef tank using lets say a 175 watt bulb? Though reading through the package insert with both products would 'seem' to work'. I'm not sure

 

[WVNed]

Right - that was my question - wouldn't a 400 watt ballast perhaps be too big for a reef tank using lets say a 175 watt bulb? Though reading through the package insert with both products would 'seem' to work'. I'm not sure

Look at the settings on the switch. The new electronic ballasts for "growing" are different than the ones we are used to.
My ballast has 190, 250 and 275 settings. Which would be dimmed, regular and super lumens. That one has 150, 250, 400 to run different kinds of bulbs. But 250 is 250 so It would run my lights if I needed a ballast.

 

[Reefing102]

That’s actually the exact reason I bought that one. My light is 150w but most of the ballasts are huge wattage and did by percentages instead of specific wattages. That’s the best one I could find (except ice cap) that had my wattage and this is just a spare light that will be used on my up and coming frag tank

Apologies for not being clearer in my original question though!

 

[MnFish1]

Look at the settings on the switch. The new electronic ballasts for "growing" are different than the ones we are used to.
My ballast has 190, 250 and 275 settings. Which would be dimmed, regular and super lumens. That one has 150, 250, 400 to run different kinds of bulbs. But 250 is 250 so It would run my lights if I needed a ballast.

Would a 250 run a 175 bulb - or vice versa - a 150 run a 175 bulb. Just curious

 

[WVNed]

Would a 250 run a 175 bulb - or vice versa - a 150 run a 175 bulb. Just curious

If it is an electronic ballast with a setting for that output, yes. You are missing the key point that these new ballasts are not a rated size like the old ones. They can put out different wattages based on the front switch to match different bulbs.
In general can you mix and match bulbs and ballasts of different ratings. No, it wont work and can be dangerous.
My understanding from reading is driving a 250w bulb at 400w for example. The bulb will light but the glass will get so hot that it melts and the gas inside will cause it to blow out. In other words it will explode eventually.

 

[Reefing102]

Hey guys, I have a follow up wiring issue. The wires are different colors, so which one connects where.
Here is the wiring for the connector:

Here’s the halide wire at the end:

Here is the wiring for the halide where it wires to the light socket:

So the Hamilton has Green, White, and Black and the no known name Halide has a green/yellow (not connected at the light socket), light blue, and brown.
Hamilton doesn’t specify which is which on theirs and the no known name halide doesn’t list either. Any help would be appreciated so I don’t blow the fixture (if that’s possible?)

 

[oreo54]

Brown to black (hot)
Blue to white (neutral)
Greenyellow to green. (ground)

Others more familiar w this wiring can comment on grounding.

 

[Reefing102]

Brown to black (hot)
Blue to white (neutral)
Greenyellow to green. (ground)

Others more familiar w this wiring can comment on grounding.

Awesome thanks!

 

[Reefing102]

disregard

 

[Saltydog69]

where do all you guys buy your halide bulbs and parts at online today? im just now gettting into halides and cant find much available. could you all help me?

 

[xtian]

where do all you guys buy your halide bulbs and parts at online today? im just now gettting into halides and cant find much available. could you all help me?

https://www.hamiltontechnology.com/ for hamilton or radiums
amazon for phoenix bulbs

 

[Reefing102]

I have been using SPS bulbs that came with my fixture from @ChampionLighting. Once those are done, I have some cheap eBay ones for back ups but I’ll probably go for Hamiltons