DIY: 70w HPS wiring.
- Thread starter Ra'anan
- Start date
zvuv
Active Member
I have wired up several DIY HID ballast kits. The ballast kit for a 70W HID is around $30. It's pretty simple to wire these things up if you are comfortable doing basic household wiring. But there are high voltages involved so do it very carefully.The voltage to drive the bulb is probably 300v and the ignitor puts out a 4000V spike to start the arc in the lamp.Up to about 250W you can save money with a DIY ballast kit. After that it doesnt make sense. For not much more money you can buy the whole setup ready made in a nice case.I like to take old electronics apart and scavenge parts to use in projects. In the USA electronic components are very cheap and it's probably a waste of my time, but I can't help myself.I just scored 4 400W MH ballast kits for $7 ea. Going to wire one up today to see if they work. I might sell 3 of them on ebay.
Thanks for the support achi, my thoughts exactly and its that nice box that seems to raise the value of the product itself. Essentially your paying for your convenience/ignorance.
Indeed, if I'm going to start powering multiple lights above 250W I'll just get a good setup instead, but when it comes to the lower voltages its a serious $$$ saver, and thats what i'm on about.
250W HPS bulbs are affordable, 250W ballasts are out of my price-range, since this is the first time I'll be wiring my own HPS ballast the 70W bulb and component purchase is an experiment, if I get that working I'll look into doing the same with 250W equipment and move forward, essentially the DIY is cheaper. Will make sure I properly insulate and solder the setup of course, before wiring it up, I don't want to shock myself, is a lethal voltage.
spex420
Well-Known Member
http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-REFURBISHED---HTGSupply-400-Watt-HPS-Grow-Light.asp
400w hps for 80 bucks i don't care how many 70w diy kits you wire together can't beat this deal you want cheap you got it!
400w hps for 80 bucks i don't care how many 70w diy kits you wire together can't beat this deal you want cheap you got it!
spex420
Well-Known Member
http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-FLORALUX-150w-HPS-Mini-Grow-Light.asp
you still need to buy a socket bulb and a reflector thats gonna run you another 30$
150w hps 60$ over twice the watts half the price if you plan to get two kits small compact and everything comes with it including a warranty
don't make the same mistake i did taking the cheaper route to save money in the end buying what i should of bought in the first place
you still need to buy a socket bulb and a reflector thats gonna run you another 30$
150w hps 60$ over twice the watts half the price if you plan to get two kits small compact and everything comes with it including a warranty
don't make the same mistake i did taking the cheaper route to save money in the end buying what i should of bought in the first place
midwestmmj
Well-Known Member
If they pull 3 oz from a 70w they have supplemental lighting. I don't care what you say those things are pretty dim imo.