Capacitor replacement

[pells61]

I have a coralife, garbage, 250 w DE metal halide ballast with a bad capacitor. The capacitor is 35 microfarads, 400VAC. The only capacitor I can find to replace it is 35 microfarad, 300 VAC. Since the microfarads are the same will the ballast function correctly with 300 VAC instead of 400 VAC?

 

[skunkmere]

how much does it cost. if its cheap then i would give it a try, if not then just buy another ballast. how much are they nowadays $50 used?

 

[pells61]

If you find one let me know. I've been looking. I found it's an m80 ballast and I've been told it has a 205vac Max open circuit load so I think the 300vac cap should do the trick. A 20$ cap is a far cry from a 160$ ballast

 

[jrpark22000]

Overvoltage on a cap is neither safe or a good idea. Without knowing the voltage at the cap and the engineered tollerance you are risking both an explosion and possible fire. It's safe to replace a cap with a higher voltage rating, but not a lower rating. You must maintain uF rating to ensure proper ballast operation.

 

[skunkmere]

look on the fs forums, when i went led i sold iga 2x250w hqi ballast and pendants for $120ish, i think.

 

[goodguy]

I actually have a halide setup if you need. Pm and I can give you details.

 

[TheReefNinja]

I bet mouser has em

http://www.mouser.com/Passive-Components/Capacitors/_/N-5g7r