Hamilton Tech. Electrical wiring question.

[ksarauer]

Hello, I have a Hamilton Technology light, which consists of 2 250W MH and 4 55W CF's. Each of the MH lights have there own ballasts, but the fixture has 1 power cord and 1 on/off switch, and 1 quick disconnect cord. My question is, I want to be able to control each MH bulb independently. Hamilton is telling me that the fixture needs to be re-wired, that I need to send it to them to re-wire it, that they need to run an additional cord from the ballasts for the lights??? Currently there is one cord that feeds the lights, There is a 6 prong plugin. All I want is an additional switch, and power cord. (Which I can get a radio shack for under $10.00.) I am concerned that if I try to re-wire the ballasts to be independatly, that it will not work and mess something up. Is this possible?

When I look at the wiring, there are 2 wires for each ballast, and a ground. Ballast 1 has the Red & Orange wires. Ballast 2 has the black and white wires. The Green and Yellow wires are grounded to the same spot.
Do I really need to send it to HT to have them re-wire it?

Oh, they also said that it would cost $60, plus s&h both ways. Kinda ridiculous I thought....

[JennM]

I'm not an electrician and I don't play one on TV - but I'd let them wire it, that way if there is a warranty issue, they will take care of it. If you mess with it, it will void the warranty.

JMHO

Jenn

[ksarauer]

Originally Posted by JennM

I'm not an electrician and I don't play one on TV - but I'd let them wire it, that way if there is a warranty issue, they will take care of it. If you mess with it, it will void the warranty.

JMHO

Jenn

Jenn, I agree about the warranty, but by the time I ship the ballasts and fixture both ways, plus the $60 to re-wire it, seems a little much.
Normally I'd agree with you, no questions asked.. I just have a hard time coughing out $80+ to add a power cord and switch.

There warranty is only good for a year also. I have had the fixture for a little over 6 months.

Also, I am not trying to give Hamilton a bad name, I love there lights, this is the 2nd one that I have owned, and they are an awesome light!

Kevin

[yardboy]

I'm not familiar with Hamilton, but with one 6-pronged cord, they must have a special ballast too, eh? Bummer about that. No one should tell you to do something dangerous, that requires a licensed electrician. Do what you think is right. "Wink-Wink"!

[ksarauer]

Originally Posted by yardboy

I'm not familiar with Hamilton, but with one 6-pronged cord, they must have a special ballast too, eh? Bummer about that. No one should tell you to do something dangerous, that requires a licensed electrician. Do what you think is right. "Wink-Wink"!

yardboy - The ballasts look like any other ballast, 2 wires for the light, a white, a black, and a ground.

The name on the ballast is a Mega, model LMH 120-250

I think it would be right to send it to Hamilton, but I do not think it is right to spend 80 doing so.

I think I am going to give it a shot and re-wire it myself. I am no licensed electrician, but that is not to say that I have not wired anything before...

Kevin