Mh ballast replacement question

[BIGG D]

I have a 4x250 Aquamedic fixture with a pair of dual 250w ballasts.

I think one of the ballasts is toast. Can I use ANY dual 250w ballast as a replacement? Or do I have to use Aquamedic ballasts?

Thanks for the help.

 

[BIGG D]

Anyone?

Just looking for some guidance.

 

[James77]

There will obviously be some minor rewiring involved, but any ballast of the same wattage will pose no problems. Keep in mind that the new ballast may drive the bulb differently than the others, so it could be noticeable...

 

[BIGG D]

Thanks Jim.
I really dont want to do any re-wiring. My fixture is wired to plug right into the ballast. I was hoping this was a universal connection. I guess not.

Dang!

 

[James77]

If it is a proprietary type plug, which it most liekly is, then you are stuck with AquaMedic . Most ballasts have the same thing...either bare wires like IceCap or ARO, or a unique plug like sunlight suppy. The wiring would be minimal though if you decided to go that route.

 

[moonpod]

The rewiring is MINIMAL. Really simple. Use any ballast. My only caveat is keep the ballast type the same. IIRC aquamedic uses tar ballasts. So I would use a tar ballast replacement not electronic. Otherwise your bulbs might look different.

 

[BIGG D]

The rewiring is MINIMAL. Really simple. Use any ballast. My only caveat is keep the ballast type the same. IIRC aquamedic uses tar ballasts. So I would use a tar ballast replacement not electronic. Otherwise your bulbs might look different.

Tar ballast?

 

[BIGG D]

The rewiring is MINIMAL. Really simple. Use any ballast. My only caveat is keep the ballast type the same. IIRC aquamedic uses tar ballasts. So I would use a tar ballast replacement not electronic. Otherwise your bulbs might look different.

So...if I find a different brand of ballast just cut off the plug and replace with one that fits? easy enough I suppose unless the replacement ballast takes some kind of unusal plug.

Hmm...

Thanks for the help guys :beer:

 

[BIGG D]

Tar ballast?

I see.
...stay with a magnetic ballast rather than going with an electronic one???

 

[James77]

So...if I find a different brand of ballast just cut off the plug and replace with one that fits? easy enough I suppose unless the replacement ballast takes some kind of unusal plug.

Hmm...

Thanks for the help guys :beer:

Then cut that plug off too . I know sunlight supply sells adapters that attach to their ballast and give you a set of bare wires to work with.

 

[James77]

I see.
...stay with a magnetic ballast rather than going with an electronic one???

The electronic would work, but it would most likely burn noticeably different. Your origianl ballasts may burn a bulb at 14k, but the electronic one could be more of a 10k color, and it could stick out like a sore thumb.

 

[BIGG D]

I just realized the ballast thats out is the dual 250w and has an outlet for the T5 bank. I have not been using the ballast for this and run the T5 directly to the wall with a timer. I assume the T5's have a ballast in the fixture???

As you can see...I am a little green with this. I bought it, pluged it in and it works! Never had to mess with it before. Just want to make sure I purchase the correct equipment.

 

[moonpod]

T5 ballast small and light. Probably in fixture.