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06-02-2004, 10:28 PM
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#1
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Master of Perplexity
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: panama city beach FL
Posts: 3,431
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open top, bare bottom, now bare magnetic
Being somewhat at a loss for setting up a bare magnetic ballast for my 250W metal halide retrofit, I greabbed the nearest thing that looked like it'd work, and it did. Any cautions about safety? Seems not much different than a PFO, without the heat sinks!Been running for several hours now without getting hot.
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Last edited by yardboy; 01-29-2006 at 08:39 PM.
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06-03-2004, 10:14 AM
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#2
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It can be rebuilt.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pittsboro, NC
Posts: 19,158
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heat is the big issue. you just want the ballast itself to be as cool as possible. you also want to make sure none of the wires can touch the metal case and cause a short.
other than that i think it is a great looking ballast!
G~
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Friends Don't Let Friends Use Refugiums!
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06-03-2004, 12:08 PM
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#3
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida
Posts: 338
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Super idea using that carckers tin for housing the components. If it gets to hot, you can always put some type of vent on the box.
BTW Good pic.
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06-03-2004, 12:17 PM
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#4
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Master of Perplexity
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: panama city beach FL
Posts: 3,431
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I haven't been able to find anything suitable to purchase. I may go to Radioshack today and see what they have in the way of heat sinks. After 4 hours, the box had gotten warm, but not so that I couldn't pick it up. Not sure how much heat it can tolerate, considering it was designed to be mounted in a high bay, directly above the bulb. The metal of the container is thin, so should radiate heat pretty efficiently. Fun to try and figure out a less expensive way to set up something. Parts laying around drive me crazy. I stole the electronic ballast I had for this fixture for use on my new tank, a DE, so I have the reflector, socket and two mogul bulbs. I'm planning on using this light on my refugium.
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06-03-2004, 12:22 PM
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#5
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That Biker Looking Guy
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Bremerton Wa
Posts: 2,446
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Might wanna think about a tool box this way ya can put a 4 inch fan in either end to cool it.
Hope this helps
Jeff
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06-13-2004, 02:43 AM
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#6
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Lakewood, WA
Posts: 418
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Home depot sells small metal boxes that most people use for just that purpose, they are fairly inexpensive, and should be in the electrical section
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Tom
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06-19-2004, 08:53 AM
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#7
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The Lone Reefer
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Clearwater
Posts: 146
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Try a computer store for a heat sink. Many different sizes and what not. I'm sure you could epoxy weld one onto the ballast itself. But then you need to have a 12VDC power supply also in that box for a little 4 inch fan.
Just some thoughts. I like your workmanship though. Shows pride.
(I'm assuming the electrical tape is temporary) 
Alan
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06-20-2004, 07:00 AM
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#8
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Master of Perplexity
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: panama city beach FL
Posts: 3,431
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Yea, I'm paranoid about bare wires. Overwrapped for the testing. Heatshrink tubing is on the final product. Just about finished with the refugium canopy it goes on.
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