Question about wiring a Magnetic Ballast
#1
11-08-15, 08:47 PM
Question about wiring a Magnetic Ballast
Hello Doityourself forums! this is my first post and I'm hoping to get some help on this forum. my question here is about my magnetic ballast which I use and would like to know how safe it is to use with this 250w capacitor by halco. I believe this is a 240v capacitor. I am somewhat of a novice DIYer and I followed tutorials online in order to wire this bare bones 400w High pressure sodium core and coil ballast. It is a CWA ballast. The ballast has 3 input voltages of 120/277/347v. My question is, what voltage is the 250w capacitor supposed to run at? I am currently using the 120v wire and would like to know if it would be suitable and safe to run with this particular capacitor. Please Advise ! I need some educated help. Thank you everyone! 
Link to info on the 250w capacitor I am using:
http://www.amazon.ca/Halco-35MFD-Cap.../dp/B00DH12JCQ
Some technical data about the ballast:
Lamps
Operated
400W HPS
Rated Lamp
Wattage
400W
Input Operating
Wattage
465W
Input
Voltage
120/277/347V
Frequency
60Hz
Power
Factor
≥0.90
Line
Regulation
+/- 10%
Lamp
Voltage
100V
Open Circuit
Voltage
168V ~ 205V
Starting
Current
3.30/1.40/1.00A
Lamp
Current
4.70A
Lamp
Efficiency
0.83
ANSI
Lamp Code
S51
Ignitor
Model No.
IGN-S-200-400
Max. Distance
to Lamp
2ft
Link to info on the 250w capacitor I am using:
http://www.amazon.ca/Halco-35MFD-Cap.../dp/B00DH12JCQ
Some technical data about the ballast:
Lamps
Operated
400W HPS
Rated Lamp
Wattage
400W
Input Operating
Wattage
465W
Input
Voltage
120/277/347V
Frequency
60Hz
Power
Factor
≥0.90
Line
Regulation
+/- 10%
Lamp
Voltage
100V
Open Circuit
Voltage
168V ~ 205V
Starting
Current
3.30/1.40/1.00A
Lamp
Current
4.70A
Lamp
Efficiency
0.83
ANSI
Lamp Code
S51
Ignitor
Model No.
IGN-S-200-400
Max. Distance
to Lamp
2ft
#3
11-08-15, 11:58 PM
Group Moderator
Welcome to the forums.
You're asking if you can use a run capacitor for a 250w sodium fixture for a 400w sodium fixture ???
No..... you'd use a run cap designed for a 400w lamp.
Are you certain you have a 400w HP sodium lamp..... that's a big lamp ?
You should be using a 55uf/240v cap on a 400w HPS lamp.
Are you following the wiring off the ballast for wiring the light up ?
You're asking if you can use a run capacitor for a 250w sodium fixture for a 400w sodium fixture ???
No..... you'd use a run cap designed for a 400w lamp.
Are you certain you have a 400w HP sodium lamp..... that's a big lamp ?
You should be using a 55uf/240v cap on a 400w HPS lamp.
Are you following the wiring off the ballast for wiring the light up ?
#4
11-09-15, 06:04 PM
Yes, it is a 400w core and coil ballast and it came with a 55uf 285VAC capacitor. I have run this 35mfd/240v successfully with this ballast in the past..so I basically downgraded it. I just want to know if doing so is safe or not...
#5
11-10-15, 06:16 AM
Member
If it requires a 55uf/285 VAC in the mfg specs then that is what should be used,what is the purpose for down grading?
Geo
Geo
