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Ballast Box with BBQ ignitor connected and attached Here is my test ballast box that got a BBQ ignitor button added on and connected. It is a 175 watt MV ballast, but has proven to run MV lamps that has trouble starting with the help of the button, same for 175 watt MH. Best of all, I have a 150 watt 100 volt HPS lamp which I do not have a proper ballast for, and this ballast box is the closest thing I have that actually works! Using Kill-a-watt, the rating running a 150 watt 100 volt HPS lamp on this was 150-152 watt and 3.3 amps. Keywords: Miscellaneous

Ballast Box with BBQ ignitor connected and attached

Here is my test ballast box that got a BBQ ignitor button added on and connected. It is a 175 watt MV ballast, but has proven to run MV lamps that has trouble starting with the help of the button, same for 175 watt MH. Best of all, I have a 150 watt 100 volt HPS lamp which I do not have a proper ballast for, and this ballast box is the closest thing I have that actually works!

Using Kill-a-watt, the rating running a 150 watt 100 volt HPS lamp on this was 150-152 watt and 3.3 amps.

burntoutballast.jpg IMG_5824.JPG ballastboxBBQ.jpg ballastboxballasts.jpg Ultimate ballast box.jpg
File information
Filename:ballastboxBBQ.jpg
Album name:Jace the Gull / Ballasts
Keywords:Miscellaneous
Filesize:102 KiB
Date added:Feb 12, 2010
Dimensions:1000 x 750 pixels
Displayed:274 times
Color Space:sRGB
DateTime Original:2010:02:11 00:46:42
Exposure Bias:0 EV
Exposure Mode:0
Exposure Time:1/60 sec
FNumber:f/2.8
Flash:Red Eye, Auto-Mode
Focal length:6.2 mm
ISO:200
Make:Canon
Max Aperture:f/2.8
Model:Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS
URL:http://www.galleryoflights.org/mb/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=809
Favorites:Add to Favorites

Comment 1 to 13 of 13
Page: 1

LilCinnamon   [Feb 12, 2010 at 03:18 AM]
Awesome! Nice box.
magicbluelights   [Feb 12, 2010 at 09:29 AM]
Is it plastic? I's be afraid it would melt around the socket.
GullWhiz   [Feb 12, 2010 at 09:34 AM]
yes its plastic and nope never had melting problems....in fact in the 80s GE used some plastic sockets instead of ceramic!
rjluna2   [Feb 12, 2010 at 06:04 PM]
What is BBQ ignitor? How does it connected to?
TiCoune66   [Feb 12, 2010 at 08:24 PM]
I suppose the BBQ ignitor is connected to the central contact of the socket, but I may be wrong. BTW rjluna2, the BBQ ignitor is that red button Wink It's a good idea to add it permanently to a ballast box. I should consider adding one to mine as well! Cool
GullWhiz   [Feb 13, 2010 at 06:00 AM]
BBQ ignitor is normally used on BBQ grills to light up flames when you cook burgers...BBQ means Barbecue!

The center contact of the BBQ ignitor is connected to the middle contact of the socket...and the metal nut that holds the BBQ button in place wire is connected to the neutral shell socket (when I had the middle of the BBQ contact connected to the middle socket alone..didn't work!)
rjluna2   [Feb 13, 2010 at 03:17 PM]
Oh, that BBQ button that uses Piezoelectricity to boost the discharge of the bulb. Normally it delivers thousand volts with very little current. Similar to static discharge that you walk across the carpet and you get a discharge when you touch the doorknob.
GullWhiz   [Feb 13, 2010 at 03:36 PM]
I posted a video of it just recently..look in forum for youtube video and make some popcorn, sit back and enjoy! Wink
rjluna2   [Feb 13, 2010 at 07:02 PM]
Which wattage did you use for the blacked Metal Halide?
lite_lover   [Feb 13, 2010 at 07:16 PM]
Great video! Cool
GullWhiz   [Feb 13, 2010 at 09:06 PM]
The blacked Metal Halide itself is 175 watt like the MV lamps. The ballast box is 175 watt as the NEMA tag on it says Wink the 150 watt HPS actually ran at 150 watt in matter of fact with the 175 watt according the the kill-a-watt I used!
rjluna2   [Feb 13, 2010 at 09:13 PM]
Hmmm... :think: That gives me an idea how to make a HID with two on/off button similar to the 15 Watts fluorescent desk lamp. The black button is normally on and the red button is for the BBQ ignitor.
joe_347V   [Feb 14, 2010 at 06:33 AM]
Very nice box Jace! Cool , I'm thinking of making another ballast box which will probably be a 100W,175W or, 250W MV version this time. Maybe I'll add in a BBQ ignitor on it for experiments.

Comment 1 to 13 of 13
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