MH Magnetic Ballast, placement and how hot do they get?

[IsaaX]

I have a new 2x250 MH system from AquaMedic and it came with a dual Magnetic Ballast, they call it their Ocean Ballast-M . I was wondering how hot magnetic ballasts get and if I can place the ballast on one of it's sides (left or right) instead of just placing it right side up without any problems? I'm cramped for space and did not expect this ballast to be that big.

 

[gcarroll]

You could turn it on it's side but be sure to elevate it so the vent holes can breath. For ballast longevity though it may be best left feet side down. contact Aquamedic to find out for sure though.

 

[ScotchMaster]

My aquamedic ocean light magnetic ballast has a fan in it and is in my stand....It doesnt get that hot but it blows some warm air out...The back of my stand is open though so the hot air comes out

 

[IsaaX]

I'm planning on placing a couple of PC fans on top of the unit. One placed on top of each transformer that I can see inside the case.

ScotchMaster,
Did your ballast come with fans built in? Or did you add them yourself?

Greg,
Yeah I'm going to call them to find out for sure.

 

[®eefer]

I mounted my magnetic ballasts on top of my canopy. They get pretty hot so I figured if heat rises, that's where they should be for least amount of transfer to my tank. I guess you would need the right type of canopy though, mine opens at the front with an open top. Kinda like yours Greg.

 

[DRC69]

Cooltank take some pics of your new setup??

 

[ScotchMaster]

Yes my ballast came with a fan built in

 

[PsychoKnight]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7900902#post7900902 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IsaaX
I'm planning on placing a couple of PC fans on top of the unit. One placed on top of each transformer that I can see inside the case.

ScotchMaster,
Did your ballast come with fans built in? Or did you add them yourself?

Greg,
Yeah I'm going to call them to find out for sure.

I'd say make sure you get 110volt/ac fans, and not the standard 12v/DC computer fans, that way you can hook it straight to the a/c wires coming into the housing through the switch. I should think a 3" model is sufficient, but make sure you get one from a major manufacturer. The cheapy kind is noisy and tends to self-destruct within a year or two. Fry's usually has a good selection. Don't bother with temp sensing type, as the temp inside a magnetic ballast housing is way beyond the params of any pc or electronic rack housing.

 

[IsaaX]

Good idea, I have a few laying around here at the office.

 

[gcarroll]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7902001#post7902001 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cooltank
mine opens at the front with an open top. Kinda like yours Greg.

Yeah but I wish mine opened from the front like yours.