help with this ballast please

[str8jacket secure]

i have this old ballast, i'm not sure if it's mh or hps, the guy i got it from said he thought maybe it was a mercury vapor, i'm hoping not though... it's a white box with a big loop bold coming out of one side and a large socket coming out of the other, i took it apart and can see that it was originally 277v, but it has wires to switch to 208 and 120v. someone has already rewired it for 120. there's a sticker on the inside saying hpf, 400w, it also says ruud lighting. i'll upload pics soon as i can, anyone have any idea?

[socialistpete]

does it say ANSI followed by a number anyehere?

[str8jacket secure]

here's a few pics to help out, i couldn't find anything

[Hempfester]

The sticker on the first photo shows what kind of lamps you can use.

From what I can see, it can use either a M59 lamp or a H33 lamp.

If you google those, a M59 is a 400W MH bulb and a H33 is a mercury bulb.

So, you just might be in luck.

Here is a link to 1 place that sells those lamps:
M400U - hid - metal halide light bulb lamp - donsbulbs - light bulbs lamps valve valves tube tubes (http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/b.pl/m400u.html)

Try your local electric supply / industrial lighting shops in your city. You might be able to get it cheaper without paying shipping.

[Hempfester]

Please be careful when working with a ballast.

Some ballasts have huge ass capacitors in them.

A capacitor can hold a lethal charge even when the power is disconnected!

ALWAYS make sure any capacitors are discharged before working with your ballast. If you are unsure what this means, or how to do this safely, please contact a professional.

Please read this safety guide for more information.

Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: Safety Guidelines for High Voltage and/or Line Powered Equipment (http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_safety.html)

[the image reaper]

these folks in Texas, are great ... great prices, fast delivery, no-hassle returns/replacements, etc ... lamps, ballast parts, etc ... :thumbsup:

Light bulbs, Rope Lights, Halogen and Fluorescent bulb - 1000-Bulbs - The Light Bulb Superstore (http://www.1000bulbs.com/) :thumbsup: