Help rebuilding a cool touch ballast

[MountainReef]

I need some help. I have a dual 250w MH cool touch ballast. One of the ballast stopped working about 10 days ago. Cool Touch went out of business about 10 days ago! Great timing huh? I can't get anyone there to give me any direction.

I opened the ballast box and a large cream colored cylinder, which I assume is the starter, burst and oosed a dark gray plastic substance. The problem is this ballast has given me trouble since day one. I believe it was overdriving the bulb because the bulb got hot enough to melt the plexi cover and burned up bulbs prematurely. I dont want to just replace the starter if the ballast is bad.

I am not really familar with ballasts. I guess I only know tar ballasts because the inside of this ballast box looks completely different than I expected.

Can I replace the guts with an ice cap? How do I wire it so I can use the same quick connections?

Any help?

Thanks

Danny

 

[_K_E_P_]

It sounds like a waste of money trying to rebuild.
I would keep using the working ballast and replace the broken one with a decent brand.

 

[orlenz]

The cylindrical part that burned out is the capacitor, all you need to do is replace the capacitor, call these guys
http://www.venturelighting.com/
and tell them you need a "15uf 360V" Capacitor, there really good I usually get my replacemnents in 1 to 2 days, about $10

if you decide to replace the ballasts for some reason, you can find many electronic ballasts that are cheaper than the Icecaps and work as well if not better.

but thats kind of like getting a nail in your tire, and going out and buying 4 new tires.

 

[MountainReef]

Thanks for the input. I will give venture a look. I was concerned the ballast was bad from the start so considered replacing it.