Ballast help needed!

Yeah I read everything how to construct one or what not to use or what to use. Thing is all these faq's and help tips never explain how to install it to your "HOUSE".... I have no clue do you just plug the damn thing in a regular plug I would not think so. To top it all I thought most homes only use 120V and not 220V? The 220V is for like stoves and stuff right? So how would you install this thing?

Anyone got some links tips and or guides? I been searching on google and tons of forums for hours. I might be typing the wrong thing in the search.

what wattage for a ballast?..... i have a 400watter hps on its own standard house 120volt outlet. no problems so far. are you powering anything else besides the ballast on the same outlet?

Oh so you can just plug it in the wall? I am planing on going with 250Watt. Right now working on trying to get a 120V 250W MH ballast or put one together. Later down the road or if can I want to use a HPS for the flowering room so I guess I would need another ballast as well. The outlets are all from 1 room and I can and able to use its own outlet if need be. I mean I would most likely have a timer with it.

if its wired for 120v you can plug it in the wall. if its wired for 220v you gotta make a new breaker in your electrical box for it. be careful with your diy ballast tho. lots and lots of garden fires are from those ballasts if not set-up right. you best bet is to just buy one. and if someone here says "go to ebay and shop high tech garden supply." im going to punch em in the face. well not literally but shit i hate that place. i bought from my local hydro store a lumatek 600watt digital ballast with a quality sealed xtrasun reflector and a hortilux blub for $418. ive seen on hightech supply for maybe $10 cheaper but with one of there CRAP hoods and one of there generic bulbs!! go figure. there hoods are crap too!! i bought a set up from them and my second grow the hood already had discolored dark yellow around where the bulb goes. also there bulbs they give you dont last long at all. anyways to get to the point shop around and dont give into buying shit. your pocket book and future grows will appreciate it.

I think I am starting to understand all this and get the hang of it. It seemed so over complicated at first these ballasts that is gave me such a massive headache and I have no green to smoke ether. It would seem its much easier to fork out lots of dough for the easy to go and get it done method OR pay less and go through hell and safty issues to get one built and set up.

It's better to get a ballast, bulb and reflector as a package deal; locally (preferred) or online.

You can shop the market: google- 'grow light systems'. This will give you an average on price ranges and what's out there. DIY is very tricky...IMO.

I prefer magnetic ballasts over digital ballasts because they are UL rated. But, I am in the minority on that....oh well...:D

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Originally Posted by Dutch Pimp

I prefer magnetic ballasts over digital ballasts because they are UL rated. But, I am in the minority on that....oh well...:D

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lumatek digital ballasts are endorsed by G.E. and UL rated

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Originally Posted by cigarettes42

lumatek digital ballasts are endorsed by G.E. and UL rated

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According to my information...the GE UltraMax electrontic ballast is UL rated (they have to be, to be sold in the USA, safely)...but not the Lumatek's..(made in Europe)

hopefully...soon...all digitals will be UL rated. Just as soon as one can pass UL/ANSI standards.

Still doing research on these and from what I understand a electronic ballast has like 20% energy savings along with it right?

There's lot's of good things about digital ballasts...and a few bad things.

Scan through the Indoor Lighting forum.

it says lumatek is G.E. UL. i got the info from its product specs.

600W Lumatek Digital Ballast - 120V |