I have seen the light! - Page 2

bjmumy · 10/11/2000, 07:37 AM

David,

I don't know why they would have told you to use a 71A3572. That has a CWA type circuit. EYE specifically states NOT to use a CWA type circuit (even though that's what everyone who uses a MH ballast for the Iwasakis is using). It will be interesting to see what they say in response to your letter.

Brian

sradmin · 10/11/2000, 07:43 AM

Far and away the best DIY lighting thread I have ever seen.

This one should definately be archived.

BJ, Hats off to you!

Staceon · 10/11/2000, 07:43 AM

Brian,

You the man! You couldn't have gotten any better pictures. Thanks again, when the time is right I will let you know how it went.

David Newman · 10/11/2000, 07:44 AM

Brian, I asked about the CWA circuit and was told it would be fine. So far they were right.

I hope I get a response to the e-mail

David

RicoJa · 10/11/2000, 09:20 AM

Well it looks like a lot less people are going to spend $$$$ on MH ballast like PFO if this little DIY project works well. $23 for a 250W ballast?!?! WOW! There is a Graybar about 5 miles a way from me. Too bad they only sell to businesses. bjmummy how did you get them to sell it to you as an individual? I am going to call Advance to see who else sells their ballast in my area.

bjmumy · 10/11/2000, 10:20 AM

RicoJa,

When they asked for the company name, I just gave them the name of the company I work for. They just need a company name to put on the paperwork since they only sell to individuals. They won't ask you to prove that the ballasts are for the company you work for. Just don't tell them that the sale is to an individual and don't ask if they sell to individuals when you call and you should be fine.

Brian

Mushroom Boy · 10/11/2000, 12:58 PM

Wow! Awesome info Brian with great pics to boot. I know which route I'm going to go when it's time to setup a bigger tank...

Paul.

signu459 · 10/11/2000, 01:52 PM

I told Graybar, when I got my ballasts that I ran my own business and gave them my name. The point is you will be able to get the ballast, they are not going to miss a sale for something that trivial. I think why they say they sell only to businesses is that they don't want to deal with DIY'ers like us. So act like you know exactly what you want and don't bother them with how to questions and you will be able to get almost anything you want.

RicoJa · 10/11/2000, 01:54 PM

I called a bunch of placed in AZ including Graybar in Mesa, AZ and nobody had the bloody ballast. Are these that rare? Can they be ordered online? I am afraid of shipping cost though, ballasts are usually pretty heavy.

Rico.

bjmumy · 10/11/2000, 02:13 PM

Rico,

Graybar can order them from Advance for you. When I asked them if they had them in stock, they said no so I asked if they could order some from Advance. They did and it only took about a week for the ballasts to come in.

Brian

RicoJa · 10/11/2000, 02:28 PM

bjmummy,

I'll try it again with them. The guy was not super friendly. I asked him if he had it.. he put me on hold, when he came back he said "don't have it".. no I am sorry I am out of stock or let me call another store or anything.

Rico.

grafxguy · 10/11/2000, 02:39 PM

bjmumy, where did you get the box for the ballast? Also, are there any holes in the box for ventalation? I don't need the halides but I may just make two for the heck of it. eric

bjmumy · 10/11/2000, 02:48 PM

Eric,

I got the boxes from Home Depot. Lowe's had them too, but they were on clearance at HD

. They don't have any ventilation holes. There is a gap at one end of the cover though that will probably allow some heat to escape. I've yet to run one for more than 2 hours, but in that amount of time, they didn't get very warm anyway.

Rico,

Hopefully the next time you call Graybar, you'll get a helpful employee! The person I spoke to was pretty helpful and friendly.

Brian

RicoJa · 10/12/2000, 06:07 PM

Well according to Advance Transformers they do not sell to the public and ballast 71A3802 is not regularly stocked by most of their distributors. I found a distributor in my area that will special order it for me for $26.55. Not a bad deal at all considering that the PFO sells for much more than this and it is HUGE! This sounds like my next DIY plan!

Rico.

MrSandman · 10/12/2000, 06:55 PM

I spoke w/ Greybar today over the telephone and got a price quote for the ballasts. Its going to cost me 25 bucks each not including tax. This is also a special order because they don't stock this item here either. They don't take credit card orders over the phone, so they either recommended i send them a check or come by their office. I told them that i will send a check thru the mail and they will process my order and get them shipped UPS ground for 15 bucks and it should get to me within 5-7 days. I cant wait to SEE THE LIGHT!!!! Now i just gotta get myself the lamps and other accessories. Im sure i will be referring back to this post many times more so please dont remove the pics

PopeShawnPaul · 10/18/2000, 12:05 AM

Do we know the long term pro's and con's of this ballast? I don't want to go spend the money on it and then find out it burns bulbs fast or something. MY momma always told me, if it's too good to be true, it is. Hope she was lying.

MrSandman · 10/18/2000, 12:07 AM

David,

Any response to that email yet?

BJ,

hows the install coming along w/ your canopy? i also have to build myself a new canopy and was wondering how you are fitting everything in there. Any supplemental lighting?

Im just trying to get some last minute questions answered before the ballasts come in the mail this week.

therman · 10/18/2000, 02:17 AM

does anyone happen to know which 400w MV ballast would be the right one for iwasakis?

David Newman · 10/18/2000, 05:46 AM

No response to the e-mail yet. I'll send it again.

bjmumy · 10/18/2000, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PopeShawnPaul
Do we know the long term pro's and con's of this ballast? I don't want to go spend the money on it and then find out it burns bulbs fast or something. MY momma always told me, if it's too good to be true, it is. Hope she was lying.

KW has been running this ballast for awhile now with no problems (at least he hasn't reported any). As far as the ballast burning out the bulbs too fast, the opposite is true. EYE recommends this type of ballast because it burns the bulb brighter, bluer, and longer than a MH ballast which technically shoudln't even be used for the Iwasakis (even though we know they work just fine). With regards to it being too good to be true, remember, we've already discussed the negatives of this ballast. If you go this route, you are limited to the Iwasaki 6500 bulb only. Also, even though it doesn't use more power than a MH ballast, it does draw more current (meaning you need to separate the ballasts from the rest of your reef equipment or put everything on a large breaker). If after contemplating these negatives it still sounds good to you, go for it.

Brian

bjmumy · 10/18/2000, 07:21 AM

therman,
I just looked up a ballast for 400W MV bulbs on Advance's website (www.advancetransformer.com)and it appears they don't have a HX-NPF type ballast in 400W for 120V use. You might want to call Advance or EYE to see what the best DIY MV solution is for 400W.

Mr. Sandman,
I've been working on my new hood for a few days now. I hope to install it next weekend. I'm basically building a big box. I was going to build something similar to Playfair's hood (with the light bulges) but since I got the deal on the Spiderlight reflectors I decided to mount the bulbs perpendicular to the tank. So I just made a big box that has a front that swings up to expose everything. I think it should give me pretty good access. For supplemental lights, I have an Icecap 660 and will keep 2 110W VHO actinics over the tank.

Brian

murphd3 · 10/18/2000, 10:37 PM

One little suggestion: The only part of the DIY plan that looks like it could cause a problem is the use of wire nuts to connect to the socket. I used to install some high-end car stereos and used heavy duty butt connectors covered by a good length of inner-wall glue heat shrink tubing in any place that may get wet. This gives a totally weather-tight union and looks better too. What do you guys think?

Murph

bjmumy · 10/19/2000, 07:20 AM

murphd3,

I won't be using wire nuts to connect to the socket and don't think it's the best idea to do so either. I would like to use some sort of quick release plug for that connection when I permanately connect those wires. If you know of any heavy duty quick connect plugs that don't cost a fortune, I'd be interested in hearing about them. The only things I've found cost a fortune.

Reefer madness · 10/19/2000, 07:37 AM

This is a very informative thread. I am an avid DIY hobbyist and assembled all three of my MH's.

IME ammo boxes work great. I had access to them for free and quickly converted 2 of them to ballast cases. One can holds two 175W ballasts and the other holds one 250W. I used the wire bulkhead fittings to run the wires through the sides and drilled small holes along the bottom sides and on the top to create a convection current that would exhaust some heat. The part I like best is that it made it possible to ground everything through the box and it's very accessible since the entire lid is removable.

If moisture is a big concern for your setup, I believe radio shack sells wirenuts that are primed with silicone. I don't know for sure how much they are or even if that is the intended application, but I did see them there. It may be worth more investigation.

I did find an article by Sanjay Joshi that extensively details part numbers and applications for MH ballasts. For anyone in the purchase stage, I would recommend checking it out. I used it when I found a downed HID lamp after a Supertyphoon in Guam. By cross-referencing the ANSI numbers I discovered that it was a workable 250W ballast

http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/...hlighting.html
Just my 2 pennies worth, HTH.
Scott

KW · 10/19/2000, 07:41 AM

For quick disconnects, I used some high quality plugs. Not quite as pretty or as easy to use as real quick disconnects but, they work fine.

10/11/2000, 07:43 AM	#27
sradmin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 287	Far and away the best DIY lighting thread I have ever seen. This one should definately be archived. BJ, Hats off to you! __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: 54g corner reef, 29g- Maroon Clown breeding tank

10/11/2000, 12:58 PM	#32
Mushroom Boy Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,068	Wow! Awesome info Brian with great pics to boot. I know which route I'm going to go when it's time to setup a bigger tank... Paul. __________________ Blumenpflücken während der Fahrt verboten! Current Tank Info: Currently tankless

10/11/2000, 02:48 PM	#38
bjmumy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 521	Eric, I got the boxes from Home Depot. Lowe's had them too, but they were on clearance at HD. They don't have any ventilation holes. There is a gap at one end of the cover though that will probably allow some heat to escape. I've yet to run one for more than 2 hours, but in that amount of time, they didn't get very warm anyway. Rico, Hopefully the next time you call Graybar, you'll get a helpful employee! The person I spoke to was pretty helpful and friendly. Brian

10/18/2000, 12:05 AM	#41
PopeShawnPaul Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 63	Do we know the long term pro's and con's of this ballast? I don't want to go spend the money on it and then find out it burns bulbs fast or something. MY momma always told me, if it's too good to be true, it is. Hope she was lying. __________________ The Pope Current Tank Info: 55 acrylic

10/11/2000, 07:37 AM	#26
bjmumy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 521	David, I don't know why they would have told you to use a 71A3572. That has a CWA type circuit. EYE specifically states NOT to use a CWA type circuit (even though that's what everyone who uses a MH ballast for the Iwasakis is using). It will be interesting to see what they say in response to your letter. Brian

10/11/2000, 07:43 AM	#28
Staceon Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 2,662	Brian, You the man! You couldn't have gotten any better pictures. Thanks again, when the time is right I will let you know how it went.

10/11/2000, 07:44 AM	#29
David Newman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 239	Brian, I asked about the CWA circuit and was told it would be fine. So far they were right. I hope I get a response to the e-mail David

10/11/2000, 09:20 AM	#30
RicoJa Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Third planet from the sun Posts: 203	Well it looks like a lot less people are going to spend $$$$ on MH ballast like PFO if this little DIY project works well. $23 for a 250W ballast?!?! WOW! There is a Graybar about 5 miles a way from me. Too bad they only sell to businesses. bjmummy how did you get them to sell it to you as an individual? I am going to call Advance to see who else sells their ballast in my area.

10/11/2000, 10:20 AM	#31
bjmumy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 521	RicoJa, When they asked for the company name, I just gave them the name of the company I work for. They just need a company name to put on the paperwork since they only sell to individuals. They won't ask you to prove that the ballasts are for the company you work for. Just don't tell them that the sale is to an individual and don't ask if they sell to individuals when you call and you should be fine. Brian

10/11/2000, 01:52 PM	#33
signu459 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Valparaiso, IN Posts: 1,394	I told Graybar, when I got my ballasts that I ran my own business and gave them my name. The point is you will be able to get the ballast, they are not going to miss a sale for something that trivial. I think why they say they sell only to businesses is that they don't want to deal with DIY'ers like us. So act like you know exactly what you want and don't bother them with how to questions and you will be able to get almost anything you want.

10/11/2000, 01:54 PM	#34
RicoJa Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Third planet from the sun Posts: 203	I called a bunch of placed in AZ including Graybar in Mesa, AZ and nobody had the bloody ballast. Are these that rare? Can they be ordered online? I am afraid of shipping cost though, ballasts are usually pretty heavy. Rico.

10/11/2000, 02:13 PM	#35
bjmumy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 521	Rico, Graybar can order them from Advance for you. When I asked them if they had them in stock, they said no so I asked if they could order some from Advance. They did and it only took about a week for the ballasts to come in. Brian

10/11/2000, 02:28 PM	#36
RicoJa Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Third planet from the sun Posts: 203	bjmummy, I'll try it again with them. The guy was not super friendly. I asked him if he had it.. he put me on hold, when he came back he said "don't have it".. no I am sorry I am out of stock or let me call another store or anything. Rico.

10/11/2000, 02:39 PM	#37
grafxguy WRS Co-******* Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Sheboygan, WI Posts: 1,711	bjmumy, where did you get the box for the ballast? Also, are there any holes in the box for ventalation? I don't need the halides but I may just make two for the heck of it. eric

10/12/2000, 06:07 PM	#39
RicoJa Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Third planet from the sun Posts: 203	Well according to Advance Transformers they do not sell to the public and ballast 71A3802 is not regularly stocked by most of their distributors. I found a distributor in my area that will special order it for me for $26.55. Not a bad deal at all considering that the PFO sells for much more than this and it is HUGE! This sounds like my next DIY plan! Rico.

10/12/2000, 06:55 PM	#40
MrSandman Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: South Bay, So. Cal. Posts: 5,408 Blog Entries: 6	I spoke w/ Greybar today over the telephone and got a price quote for the ballasts. Its going to cost me 25 bucks each not including tax. This is also a special order because they don't stock this item here either. They don't take credit card orders over the phone, so they either recommended i send them a check or come by their office. I told them that i will send a check thru the mail and they will process my order and get them shipped UPS ground for 15 bucks and it should get to me within 5-7 days. I cant wait to SEE THE LIGHT!!!! Now i just gotta get myself the lamps and other accessories. Im sure i will be referring back to this post many times more so please dont remove the pics

10/18/2000, 12:07 AM	#42
MrSandman Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: South Bay, So. Cal. Posts: 5,408 Blog Entries: 6	David, Any response to that email yet? BJ, hows the install coming along w/ your canopy? i also have to build myself a new canopy and was wondering how you are fitting everything in there. Any supplemental lighting? Im just trying to get some last minute questions answered before the ballasts come in the mail this week.

10/18/2000, 02:17 AM	#43
therman biodiversity enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Whitehouse, OH, USA Posts: 1,107	does anyone happen to know which 400w MV ballast would be the right one for iwasakis?

10/18/2000, 05:46 AM	#44
David Newman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 239	No response to the e-mail yet. I'll send it again.

10/18/2000, 07:21 AM	#46
bjmumy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 521	therman, I just looked up a ballast for 400W MV bulbs on Advance's website (www.advancetransformer.com)and it appears they don't have a HX-NPF type ballast in 400W for 120V use. You might want to call Advance or EYE to see what the best DIY MV solution is for 400W. Mr. Sandman, I've been working on my new hood for a few days now. I hope to install it next weekend. I'm basically building a big box. I was going to build something similar to Playfair's hood (with the light bulges) but since I got the deal on the Spiderlight reflectors I decided to mount the bulbs perpendicular to the tank. So I just made a big box that has a front that swings up to expose everything. I think it should give me pretty good access. For supplemental lights, I have an Icecap 660 and will keep 2 110W VHO actinics over the tank. Brian

10/18/2000, 10:37 PM	#47
murphd3 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 298	One little suggestion: The only part of the DIY plan that looks like it could cause a problem is the use of wire nuts to connect to the socket. I used to install some high-end car stereos and used heavy duty butt connectors covered by a good length of inner-wall glue heat shrink tubing in any place that may get wet. This gives a totally weather-tight union and looks better too. What do you guys think? Murph

10/19/2000, 07:20 AM	#48
bjmumy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 521	murphd3, I won't be using wire nuts to connect to the socket and don't think it's the best idea to do so either. I would like to use some sort of quick release plug for that connection when I permanately connect those wires. If you know of any heavy duty quick connect plugs that don't cost a fortune, I'd be interested in hearing about them. The only things I've found cost a fortune.

10/19/2000, 07:37 AM	#49
Reefer madness Reefer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Posts: 211	This is a very informative thread. I am an avid DIY hobbyist and assembled all three of my MH's. IME ammo boxes work great. I had access to them for free and quickly converted 2 of them to ballast cases. One can holds two 175W ballasts and the other holds one 250W. I used the wire bulkhead fittings to run the wires through the sides and drilled small holes along the bottom sides and on the top to create a convection current that would exhaust some heat. The part I like best is that it made it possible to ground everything through the box and it's very accessible since the entire lid is removable. If moisture is a big concern for your setup, I believe radio shack sells wirenuts that are primed with silicone. I don't know for sure how much they are or even if that is the intended application, but I did see them there. It may be worth more investigation. I did find an article by Sanjay Joshi that extensively details part numbers and applications for MH ballasts. For anyone in the purchase stage, I would recommend checking it out. I used it when I found a downed HID lamp after a Supertyphoon in Guam. By cross-referencing the ANSI numbers I discovered that it was a workable 250W ballast http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/...hlighting.html Just my 2 pennies worth, HTH. Scott

10/19/2000, 07:41 AM	#50
KW 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 523	For quick disconnects, I used some high quality plugs. Not quite as pretty or as easy to use as real quick disconnects but, they work fine.