Hamilton Fixtures?

[01saleen]

Hello, I am thinking of buying a 60in Hamilton MH setup with two 250 watt bulbs and two 96 watt actinics.

I was just at the LFS and was talking to the owner who said he dosent carry Hamilton any more because the power cords were always heating up, and he had the same problem with all of his Hamilton fixtures?

So in fear of a fire, "like what went on with the JBJ's or Custom Sea Life units" he only uses Coralife.

My question is to owners of Hamilton MH fixtures ; Have you experienced and problems with the cords getting hot, or any other heat related issues?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Rob...

 

[thugmebaby]

I have two hamilton fixtures....

one has 2x175mh and 2-110w vho

and other

3-250mh and 2-165vho

and NONE fo them are hot cords.

 

[ttomkat1]

I have a new Hamilton retro dual 250 MH with VHO's I don't notice the chords getting hot. The MH ballast gets pretty toasty but that is to be expected. So far I love my system.

---ttomkat1

 

[Snook65]

I have had a Hamilton remodel kit with dual 250 watt metal halides and four 55 watt PC. No problem in six years until one of my MH ballast went bad several weeks ago. Received excellent help from the people at Hamilton about replacing it and cost was not too bad. Never had any problem with the wires heating up.

 

[DaveJ]

I've had a 4' system for years... with dual 175W 110W VHO at first and then upgraded to dual 250W 110W VHO. The first ballast actually got hotter than the second, but was an older model of course. The cables never got warm from what I could tell. Nice thing about these hoods is if you want to upgrade, they are simple to do. I'm not sure you can go up to 400W with the same hood, but going from 175 to 250 was as easy as purchasing a new ballast setup. Their components are reasonable as well.

I don't know how true this next part is for everyone... but when I was looking to sell my 175W ballast a replacement hood was quoted at $130 bucks without bulbs. The ballast was a little over $280... so combined it appears that the separate components may be cheaper than going with the WHOLE system. I don't know if they made a mistake of if this is actually the case so its worth a call to find out. For example....

Dual 250W ballast assembly.. $189.95
Dual VHO ballast assembly... $89.95
Hood quote.............. $130.00

On site complete setup..... $704.85

 

[DaveJ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10105103#post10105103 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DaveJ
I've had a 4' system for years... with dual 175W 110W VHO at first and then upgraded to dual 250W 110W VHO. The first ballast actually got hotter than the second, but was an older model of course. The cables never got warm from what I could tell. Nice thing about these hoods is if you want to upgrade, they are simple to do. I'm not sure you can go up to 400W with the same hood, but going from 175 to 250 was as easy as purchasing a new ballast setup. Their components are reasonable as well.

I don't know how true this next part is for everyone... but when I was looking to sell my 175W ballast a replacement hood was quoted at $130 bucks without bulbs. The ballast was a little over $280... so combined it appears that the separate components may be cheaper than going with the WHOLE system. I don't know if they made a mistake of if this is actually the case so its worth a call to find out. For example....

Dual 250W ballast assembly.. $189.95
Dual VHO ballast assembly... $89.95
Hood quote with hood, reflector and mogul bases .............. $130.00

On site complete setup..... $704.85

 

[01saleen]

Thanks alot for all of your replies I really appreciate all the feedback.

I really want to buy a 60in Hamilton by my LFS gave me a scare, but you guys all reassured my confidence in the Hamilton fixture.

Thank you all for all of your positive replies. ..Rob

 

[DaveJ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10105658#post10105658 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 01saleen
Thanks alot for all of your replies I really appreciate all the feedback.

I really want to buy a 60in Hamilton by my LFS gave me a scare, but you guys all reassured my confidence in the Hamilton fixture.

Thank you all for all of your positive replies. ..Rob

Buy it directly from Hamilton... skip the LFS. Keep in mind that margins sometimes drive big ticket recommendations. Of course he could have very well had some reports and was doing something he thought was in your interest.

 

[01saleen]

Thanks alot Dave, I will check out Hamilton directly..

 

[Snook65]

This is the information for the guy I have talked to at Hamilton that has been very helpful, although he may not be in sales:

Dave

Hamilton Technology Corporation

Los Angeles Office

14902 South Figueroa Street
Gardena, California 90248, USA

www.HamiltonTechnology.com

Phone 1-800-458-7474 Dial 107 after Hamilton greeting

Fax 1-310-217-8821

 

[01saleen]

Thank You

 

[herostar]

I have a 1x175w hamilton fixture w/ integrated ballast. I bought it w/o a power cord and wired my own up. I haven't had any problems with it.