Do you wall mount an MH Ballast? What about Heat?

jonnybravo22 · 01/26/2012, 11:01 PM

Hello,

Wondering what people do with metal halide ballasts in terms of mounting. Is it safe to mount it to a wall even though they get HOT to the touch?

Do people use some kind of thermal barrier? Curious.

James77 · 01/26/2012, 11:40 PM

The heat they produce normally is not nearly enough to start a fire. What is hot enough to burn human skin is still hundreds of degrees less than what is needed for common materials to spontaneously ignite. Human skin will get serious burns around 120-130 degrees. Paper will ignite at about 450 degrees F. Cant use our sensitivity to heat to gauge fire potential

.

I've mounted them directly to drywall and wood shelves with no problem at all. Just be sure them have adequate ventialtion/ air space around them to cool properly.

karsseboom · 01/27/2012, 02:15 AM

Yeah everyone mounts them on the wall no problems.

alton · 01/27/2012, 06:29 AM

If you mount them, mount them to a non flamable surface. They also make a flame retardant paint. If your ballast is getting that hot it is wasting energy, buy a new one.

01/26/2012, 11:01 PM	#1
jonnybravo22 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,128	Do you wall mount an MH Ballast? What about Heat? Hello, Wondering what people do with metal halide ballasts in terms of mounting. Is it safe to mount it to a wall even though they get HOT to the touch? Do people use some kind of thermal barrier? Curious.

01/26/2012, 11:40 PM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	The heat they produce normally is not nearly enough to start a fire. What is hot enough to burn human skin is still hundreds of degrees less than what is needed for common materials to spontaneously ignite. Human skin will get serious burns around 120-130 degrees. Paper will ignite at about 450 degrees F. Cant use our sensitivity to heat to gauge fire potential . I've mounted them directly to drywall and wood shelves with no problem at all. Just be sure them have adequate ventialtion/ air space around them to cool properly. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

01/27/2012, 02:15 AM	#3
karsseboom Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 2,183	Yeah everyone mounts them on the wall no problems.

01/27/2012, 06:29 AM	#4
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	If you mount them, mount them to a non flamable surface. They also make a flame retardant paint. If your ballast is getting that hot it is wasting energy, buy a new one.