commercial metal halides

justchilllin · 02/22/2011, 07:15 PM

so i am thinking of installing to hanging fixtures above my tank. The fixure are 2 comercial grade metal halides with an output of 250w or 400w each. Now here is my question is it possible to hook up in your home on a breaker connected with timers.
here they are
http://cgi.ebay.com/400watt-High-Bay...item4156f1c596

jherrin215 · 02/22/2011, 07:39 PM

This would be a better fit in the DIY section but I can tell you 100% that they will work. I don't think they are variable output though. These are 400Watt output and will need a 400 watt bulb. The input voltage is what is variable. I am sure that they can be hooked up to 110 Volts and then to a 400 watt bulb. I am using a very similar setup to run a 250 watt MH in my hood. There will be some work wiring this, nothing hard, but it won't be plug and play. I have realized this is a super cheap way to accompish the same final goal.

jherrin215 · 02/22/2011, 07:40 PM

Oh and you wouldn't need any special wiring or breakers. You should wire it up with a normal 110 plug on the end and use a timer if you wanted.

snulma1 · 02/22/2011, 07:59 PM

These will work once you change the wiring for 110V wiring. However, they are not going to reflect light in a very efficient manner and you will need a better reflector. So the only thing you will be retaining is the socket and the ballast. You might be better off buying a retro fit kit.

jherrin215 · 02/22/2011, 08:37 PM

If you buy these for 5 bucks each you are DEFINITELY better off getting these. 30 bucks each for reflectors new and you could have a nice setup with a little work. I even left my ballast mounted in the white box. I put the male end of a heavy extension cord coming out for 110 in and the female side coming out to the light. Then I went from the socket using another part of the cord to a bought male end and I have a disconnectable 250 watt MH that works just as good as my "aquarium" ballast's, for about a 5th of the price. Only downside is there is no switch, which I dont use anyway, I use timers.

syrinx · 02/22/2011, 08:47 PM

Can be used- but will need to be redone for 110v- and as stated the socket and ballast are all thats usable.

jherrin215 · 02/23/2011, 11:02 AM

Socket and ballast and enclosure if you don't care about looks and the power cable to the ballast. Pretty much everything you need besides a cable to the socket and a reflector.

02/22/2011, 07:15 PM	#1
justchilllin Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 70	commercial metal halides so i am thinking of installing to hanging fixtures above my tank. The fixure are 2 comercial grade metal halides with an output of 250w or 400w each. Now here is my question is it possible to hook up in your home on a breaker connected with timers. here they are http://cgi.ebay.com/400watt-High-Bay...item4156f1c596

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02/22/2011, 07:39 PM	#2
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	This would be a better fit in the DIY section but I can tell you 100% that they will work. I don't think they are variable output though. These are 400Watt output and will need a 400 watt bulb. The input voltage is what is variable. I am sure that they can be hooked up to 110 Volts and then to a 400 watt bulb. I am using a very similar setup to run a 250 watt MH in my hood. There will be some work wiring this, nothing hard, but it won't be plug and play. I have realized this is a super cheap way to accompish the same final goal.

02/22/2011, 07:40 PM	#3
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	Oh and you wouldn't need any special wiring or breakers. You should wire it up with a normal 110 plug on the end and use a timer if you wanted.

02/22/2011, 07:59 PM	#4
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	These will work once you change the wiring for 110V wiring. However, they are not going to reflect light in a very efficient manner and you will need a better reflector. So the only thing you will be retaining is the socket and the ballast. You might be better off buying a retro fit kit.

02/22/2011, 08:37 PM	#5
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	If you buy these for 5 bucks each you are DEFINITELY better off getting these. 30 bucks each for reflectors new and you could have a nice setup with a little work. I even left my ballast mounted in the white box. I put the male end of a heavy extension cord coming out for 110 in and the female side coming out to the light. Then I went from the socket using another part of the cord to a bought male end and I have a disconnectable 250 watt MH that works just as good as my "aquarium" ballast's, for about a 5th of the price. Only downside is there is no switch, which I dont use anyway, I use timers.

02/22/2011, 08:47 PM	#6
syrinx Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: champaign Posts: 3,160	Can be used- but will need to be redone for 110v- and as stated the socket and ballast are all thats usable.

02/23/2011, 11:02 AM	#7
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	Socket and ballast and enclosure if you don't care about looks and the power cable to the ballast. Pretty much everything you need besides a cable to the socket and a reflector.