eballast reqs for 150w halide HQI DE bulb

Hi folks -

I had an IceCap ballast go bad on me and I am looking for an alternative - any 150w DE guys/gals out there have any reqs for a good eballast?

I actually put money down on an Lumatek multi-wattage eballast:
Lumatek 250W 120/240V Dimmable / Multi-Wattage Ballast Kit

The description says:

HOWEVER, a review says:

So what's the deal here? Can anyone verify?
What are some good eballast options for a 150w?

Thanks in advance,

matt

 

That just doesn't seem right to me. I own the 250/400 version and love it.

I know my version will run them at any wattage, but will greatly shorten the life of the bulb if you run a 250W bulb in 400W mode or vice-versa.

If you are extremely worried about it, you could always go with the 150W-only version. Sunlight Supply / Lumateks are great ballasts IMO.

 

Matt I think there are two different models; the 250/400w version and the 150/250w version. Both are select-a-watt where you switch it to the desired wattage before firing.
I once had a paper that showed all their models and specs but I have since lost it. Why don't you try calling sunlight supply.

 

Yes, lumatec and gallaxy make selectable wattage ballasts in that range. Some of the websites have drop downs to select the specific ballast and all of the reviews get lumped together. I am sure the review was for the 250/400W version

From:
Lumatek Electronic Ballasts | Sunlight Supply, Inc. - Indoor Gardening Supplies, Grow Lights, Hydroponics, and Lighting

you want the LUMATEK 250/175/150W DUAL VOLTAGE HPS/MH product # 902520

I have the Galaxy 250/400 and it rocks. I went with it over the lumatec, as Galaxy has been around longer and have always had a great reputation. lumatec is just another brand owned by sunlight supply, so, they should be good, but are newer, so, I don't know much about them. I'm sure if it's advertised to run 150W, it will though, or we'd be hearing a lot about it :thumb_up:

 

Thanks guys! I knew you'd all come through. Now I'll just have to swap out that female plug with the one I have now so it works with my lamp - anyone else have to do that?

That is what I was hoping.

matt

 

Yeah, one of my friends had an adapter like that where he had to switch around to get it to work. More of a pain if you ask me...
I just cut all my female adapters off and hard-wire all my lights. I use splitters with this waterproof gel in them then wrap with electrical tape. Just plain old wire nuts or connectors will also work well if you wrap them with electrical tape

 

Thanks Dingo. I'll need to go the adapter route I am afraid unless the ballast can fit through a small hole.

 

FYI - I took a close look at my invoice - this is a ballast 'kit' - it comes with a 15 output cord that wires to the fixture and works perfectly with the ballast of course. No need to mess with the old ballast plug. Cool.