wiring help HPS!!!!!!!
- Thread starter AZHIAZIAM
- Start date
Stillbuzzin
Well-Known Member
Are the ballast built in?I cant really tell anything about the like that
Get a decent extension cord and cut the female end off, strip back the insulation. There will be 3 wires if you got the grounded kind of cord. 1 will be white, 1 will be black and a 3rd will be green. Wire nut the black and white wires to their mates on the light, wire nut the green wire to the copper/green wire on the light or don't connect it at all. Plug cord into wall, light should work since it contains its own ballast.
humblesmurph
Well-Known Member
no drama, is there a downside to these kind of lights? do the ballasts burn out quicker because they are at the light? they are a good deal cheaper than grow lights.
when splicing the wires (if that is what it is even called) do you use those twisty things or just twist the wires together and use electrical tape?
when splicing the wires (if that is what it is even called) do you use those twisty things or just twist the wires together and use electrical tape?
tasteskindasalty
Well-Known Member
Electrical tape will "work", but caping them gives a better connection. Wiring something that powerful with electrical tape is a bad idea anyways.
I know some people don't take the ground (green) wire too seriously, but its actually VERY IMPORTANT, especially considering this light will many times be in directly contact with you. If for some reason the white (neutral) wire fails, the electric current will find the nearest source to travel to the ground. If that happens to be your hand as you move the light to one side...you will get more than just a light shock. Even worse, since water is in the picture, the result can be very serious. Ground the wire!
Also, make sure the outlet you're plugging into supports your light, if it doesn't...again...seriously bad things can happen. A lot of house fires start this way with poor wiring.
Its cool that you got a deal and all, or however you came about that light, but make sure you know exactly what you're doing. Better safe than sorry.
TheWinter
Active Member
I have used those "utility" style enclosures before and from my experience the ballasts last just as good as separate ballasts made for growing. After all those are the lights you see lighting parking lots, school hallways, etc.. left to the elements. it creates a little heat, so make sure you have a good exaust system and youll have that ballast long enough to outgrow it.. which you will 
VictorVIcious
Well-Known Member
Always connect that green wire, especially with a high powered light in a room with lots of water around. VV
VictorVIcious
Well-Known Member
yes, you should just leave that cover in place. VV
leggoeggo
Well-Known Member
see, I was always told to remove any glass/plastic from a security light, you loose some of the lumens if its on... :-/
VictorVIcious
Well-Known Member
You also protect the bulb and move the heat out thru vents built into the box. The drop in lumens is not great, no one would buy them if they 'blocked' the light. VV
freddiemoney
Well-Known Member
Just make sure to keep the glass plate nice and clean. I run air cooled hoods, and any dust building up on the plate will block much more potential light than the glass ever could. Just think about how quickly you can lose visibility in your car once your headlights start to get dirty.
p.s.- I'd agree with ALWAYS attach the green wire and don't use electrical tape on grow lights as good policy. Electrical tape has a million good uses, this isn't one of them. Adding outlets with ground fault interruption (the one with the reset button, like in the bathroom) is another good safety step for a place where you're dicking around with water and power. Best of Luck.
p.s.- I'd agree with ALWAYS attach the green wire and don't use electrical tape on grow lights as good policy. Electrical tape has a million good uses, this isn't one of them. Adding outlets with ground fault interruption (the one with the reset button, like in the bathroom) is another good safety step for a place where you're dicking around with water and power. Best of Luck.