Rebuild Ballast

roldman · 12-16-2009, 03:42 PM

HAs anyone rebuilt their own Ballast? If so any tips pointers, place to get materials? I bought a used 1000w HPS (good ole ebay theres is a reason why you get a good price sometimes) and as soon as I plug it in it blows the circuit breaker. Anyway I am going to try to rebuild as I cant afford a new one. Tips?

osirus2020 · 12-16-2009, 03:59 PM

When ours go, the lights just die (not grow lamps). Since you're tripping the breaker it could be a loose or shorting connection somewhere inside the housing. I would take it apart to ensure all the connections are good and none of the insulation has been stripped from the copper wires. Please unplug it first.

roldman · 12-16-2009, 04:39 PM

Thanks, good thought, I just went straight to bad internals. Visually it look ok, but I guess it would be a good start to redo all the wirenuts in there and see if I get any change,,,I suspect those big ole capacitors in there shouldnt be tested with my bare fingers

thcbuz · 12-24-2009, 02:26 PM

try youtube.com.put in the search "rebuiliding light ballast".I found a video there that might help.youtube can make lots of chores simple.

osirus2020 · 12-24-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roldman

Thanks, good thought, I just went straight to bad internals. Visually it look ok, but I guess it would be a good start to redo all the wirenuts in there and see if I get any change,,,I suspect those big ole capacitors in there shouldnt be tested with my bare fingers

I would go as far to solder the connects and wrap them with black tape. I see wire nuts and crimp connections as a hold over until you can do it properly.

I don't suggest discharging capacitors of any size with bare fings. Besides crossing the terminals with a screwdriver I don't know how you would do that. I would do some research before you use a piece of metal because it seems to me like a bad idea.

Back in summer camp we used to take apart the throw away cameras, charge up the flash and use the exposed capacitor as a makeshift stun gun. Worked really well and didn't do any serious damage (besides small burns).

roldman · 12-24-2009, 08:17 PM

Hadnt thought you youtube, great suggestion...and discharging capacitors...hmm, Im not into pain...Maybe the youtube will cover that...
Thanks and Merry Christmas....

**~~SpankyMcLankey~~** · 12-25-2009, 04:17 AM

sounds like an interesting project, keep us updated!

12-16-2009, 03:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
roldman YaHookan Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 80 Thanks: 7 Thanked 14 Times in 7 Posts	Rebuild Ballast HAs anyone rebuilt their own Ballast? If so any tips pointers, place to get materials? I bought a used 1000w HPS (good ole ebay theres is a reason why you get a good price sometimes) and as soon as I plug it in it blows the circuit breaker. Anyway I am going to try to rebuild as I cant afford a new one. Tips?

12-24-2009, 02:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
thcbuz Cowboy From Hell Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: Cowboy from hell,You figger it out Posts: 986 Thanks: 6 Thanked 31 Times in 22 Posts	try youtube.com.put in the search "rebuiliding light ballast".I found a video there that might help.youtube can make lots of chores simple. __________________ keep your creativity as uncorrupted as possible

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12-16-2009, 04:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
roldman YaHookan Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 80 Thanks: 7 Thanked 14 Times in 7 Posts	Thanks, good thought, I just went straight to bad internals. Visually it look ok, but I guess it would be a good start to redo all the wirenuts in there and see if I get any change,,,I suspect those big ole capacitors in there shouldnt be tested with my bare fingers

12-24-2009, 08:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
roldman YaHookan Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 80 Thanks: 7 Thanked 14 Times in 7 Posts	Hadnt thought you youtube, great suggestion...and discharging capacitors...hmm, Im not into pain...Maybe the youtube will cover that... Thanks and Merry Christmas....

12-25-2009, 04:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
~~SpankyMcLankey~~ Banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3,310 Thanks: 1,748 Thanked 1,063 Times in 703 Posts	sounds like an interesting project, keep us updated!

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