Yoda Posted March 13, 2004 Share Posted March 13, 2004 A ballast, lamp and fitting can all be put together for about 80 quid if i make the ballast myself. Im just wondering if there is any point, can anyone find me a cheaper ballest, fiting and lamp for a 600w sont. (without shitty reflector) if its worth it ill put up a DIY step by step thingy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoda Posted March 14, 2004 Author Share Posted March 14, 2004 bumpy bumpy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad (the impala) Posted March 14, 2004 Share Posted March 14, 2004 how do you mean "make" a ballast - are you going to macrame your own transformer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoda Posted March 14, 2004 Author Share Posted March 14, 2004 fromthe ingredients : transformer, starter, capacitor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad (the impala) Posted March 14, 2004 Share Posted March 14, 2004 had a stoned vision of you cocooned in a cats cradle of wire, attempting to wind your own transformer! If you have the knowledge, and can get the bits cheap, and know enough not to blow yourself up, go for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boojum Posted March 14, 2004 Share Posted March 14, 2004 :angel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChopSuey Posted March 14, 2004 Share Posted March 14, 2004 (edited) :angel exactly my thot Boojum! Even tho i've had electronics experience and didnt electronics @ college, i still wouldnt mess about build a ballast its way too dangerous tbh its not worth the few quid you could save, compared to your life, and maybe the life of whoever else is in the house if it causes a fire later on in its use. noooooo PIMP i dont want you to die 'keep it safe silly!' Peace CSX EDIT- to make it look neater ^_- Edited March 14, 2004 by ChopSueyX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMH Posted March 14, 2004 Share Posted March 14, 2004 I have to agree with Chopsuey here - Ballasts hold lethal voltages, even when turned off (those capacitors are pretty serious) and if done incorrectly can be a fire hazard as well. Unless you know exactly what you are doing, then I would buy one instead of attempting DIY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoda Posted March 14, 2004 Author Share Posted March 14, 2004 (edited) its just 3 components + wires, how hard can it be you have to be careful choosing the right capicitor but apart freom that.. Edited March 14, 2004 by []D [] []v[] []D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psycho Posted March 14, 2004 Share Posted March 14, 2004 shouldn't be too hard to put together, now should it? mass produced goods including light fixtures are put together by monkeys working in factories. i know because I have had those jobs.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad (the impala) Posted March 14, 2004 Share Posted March 14, 2004 mains will give you a nasty belt, and can be fatal - the voltages and charges generated in a ballast are several times more dangerous - I'm pretty lackadaisical about things electrical, but would run a mile at the thought of all the work involved, not in building it, but doing so in a way that renders it safe! Recently links were removed to a company doing very cheap lighting rigs - on OTs recommendation it was removed, as even though the ballasts and reflectors were well made, the ballast was not contained in a ventilated steel box as it should have been, and there was inadequate insulation, and cable anchoring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoda Posted March 14, 2004 Author Share Posted March 14, 2004 (edited) well, If i so a step by step guide to what im doing, it will be easy for people to see if im faffing about or not will post piccys on next paycheck Edited March 14, 2004 by []D [] []v[] []D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad (the impala) Posted March 14, 2004 Share Posted March 14, 2004 I wish you well - (plonker!) - good tip from my old physics teacher - if you're working with electricity, rubber soled shoes, and keep your left hand in your pocket! (seriously! - that way, the current can't go directly across your heart) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Themadhippy Posted March 15, 2004 Share Posted March 15, 2004 first tip,make sure the cable from the ballast/choke to the lamp base has an insulation rated for >2.5kv,normal flex is olny rated at 300/500volts tip 2 make sure the neutral,not the live goes to the outer threaded part of the lamp base and the live to the center contact,do it the other way rund and you risk a nasty/lethal shock tip 3 double check every thng,have a cuppa then check it again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOKIN TARQUIN Posted March 16, 2004 Share Posted March 16, 2004 your going to save so much money buy growing your own you may as well buy one instead of risking it buy 1 from evergreen http://www.evergreenhydroponics.co.uk/ you can get a 400w for £65 or a 600w for £90 and the light comes with instructions because you wire it yourself so you need to buy 2 lengths of 3 core wire and a plug, i did it with no electrical knowledge what so ever sorry if this is spamming but im a newbie who was told about these on here and am really happy with the light ( although im awaiting my first harvest )i think there great for the price is it me or do you pay for the reflector because mine comes with a son t bulb so surely the actual light is no different from a light priced at £130 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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