CodKing Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 I can put my hands on about 12 of these, complete with fittings, starters and capacitors. I've got three things I need help with, 1, A 48 inch bulb is too long for my setup, I've seen bulbs wired in series. Good idea? 2, Never seen a capacitor on a light setup before. I'm assuming the size of the original unit may have something to do with it. (12x48" T5) 3, The balast only has 2 terminals coming out of it. I will have another look at the main unit today and see if there are some more clues as to how it works but I'm sure someone here could tell me. Hopefully I've stuck a little goldmine, gotta love earthquake salvage! Thanks for having a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smurff Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 gudday, if i can find the time i shall look im my books see if i can find a wiring diagram for you. just be careful, the ballast can output a bit of voltage which can hurt a little. -smurff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodKing Posted September 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 That would be awesome. I've brought one section still relatively intact home with me and will inspect it this evening. Initial look tells me there are some little tricks where the main line comes in. Managed to also get two 4ft lengths of the fixture and the reflectors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoon Posted September 13, 2011 Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 did ya get any diffusser plate? im on the scrounge for a few little bits dont care if its gone brittle :smot: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodKing Posted September 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 Sorry mate, that was the only thing that was missing! Found this diagram, looks like it could be a go... From what I can see this is how it's hooked up but with capacitors and some setup I don't understand where the line enters. I'll get a snap of that tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted September 13, 2011 Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 That doesn't look right. I'm pretty sure both lines from the incoming mains power should be going to ballast and none of the mains power lines should be going directly to the tube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoon Posted September 13, 2011 Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 theres a few different ways of hooking them up especially with magnetic ballasts like you have , the capacitor is to change the power factor to make the tubes run efficiently otherwise they will draw more power than what they need too. you were right about bulbs being connected in series to a certain degree sometimes tubes use a single ballast to run both ( although im not sure if they are connected in series or parallel ) it would normally state on the ballast most of the combinations its capable of being set up with ie 1x40w, A, pwerfactor 2x20w,A.power factor yours only states one and while it may be capable of being used in a different configuration its probaby not worth it as you would need to figure out the power factor and get a capacitor to suit and thats some good mathematics in itself i wish i could help ya more but i cant rmember enough about it to feel comfortable helping you out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smurff Posted September 16, 2011 Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 have had a super busy week at work this week, will try my best to find a diagram tomorrow -smurff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodKing Posted September 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 A sparky friend of mine thinks he has some electronic ballasts lying around somewhere, that would make things easier! I'm still having no luck finding diagrams for these so if you do find some Smurf that would be super Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 I don't know how to put up a diagram on here but I have wired up a few of these. What I have always done is put the output wire from the ballast on one pin on the tube and neutral on the pin on the other end, then put the starter in a loop to the other two pins. Make sure the tube wattage is the same as the ballast and put the switch on the phase wire to the ballast. I always earth the ballast as well. Hope that makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smurff Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 have been super side tracked, have resigned from my job and sorting out new job, so lots of things are slipping my mind at the moment. i will leave myself a note to get this sorted -smurff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodKing Posted September 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 I don't know how to put up a diagram on here but I have wired up a few of these. What I have always done is put the output wire from the ballast on one pin on the tube and neutral on the pin on the other end, then put the starter in a loop to the other two pins. Make sure the tube wattage is the same as the ballast and put the switch on the phase wire to the ballast. I always earth the ballast as well. Hope that makes sense. I think that kind of sounds like the diagram I put up earlier yeah? No rush Smurf, thanks for looking into it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 Sorry, on a more careful look you are right except it is important to earth the ballast. It has always worked for me and is often the diagram on a ballast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodKing Posted September 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2011 Awesome, yeah they were all grounded to the chasis originally. Thanks mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 I just removed my magnetic ballast/wiring from my metal halide, i could take a photo and show you how everything gets wired in together? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodKing Posted September 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Yes please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted September 30, 2011 Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 Sorry been busy this week, will see if i can sneak a photo on here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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