MH Wiring!

[92GallonReefer]

I am in the process of wiring up my Pendant and Ballast and have a few questions:
- Does the wight or black wire go to the copper screw on a plug? LOL( really simple but im drawing a blank)
-would a 150w bulb blow if you put in on a 250w ballast? or does it just shorten the life span of the bulb?
The questions are not to hard but i want to make sure before i do it wrong. Thanks

 

[dan10342]

i dont think you shoudl run a 150 on a 25 ballasst.

copper screw? please post pics. i assembled my own halide light (built the wood housing.. wired it, etc) so please post some pics. and ill assist you

 

[theplatypus]

Bad things happen with 150W bulbs and 250W ballasts.

 

[oceanparadise1]

Bad things happen with 150W bulbs and 250W ballasts.

+1 dont do it:glasses7:

 

[92GallonReefer]

Bad things happen with 150W bulbs and 250W ballasts.

Thanks for the help, i just had a 150w bulb and didnt know thanks

copper screw? please post pics. i assembled my own halide light (built the wood housing.. wired it, etc) so please post some pics. and ill assist you

Sorry camera is dead right now but i have a piece of electrical cable and have a replacement end for a extension plug, it has a green(ground) screw and a silver screw and a copper screw. I think the white goes to silver and the copper is the black is that correct?

 

[92GallonReefer]

Wiring Setup

First is the plug to the wall

then the other end of that cable to the ballast

the aro 250w ballast

the ballast wired to the cable for the pendant

And the cable that will be wired to the pendant

If you see any problems with this just let me know as im wiring it up tonight!

 

[jerryc]

wight to silver Blake to copper green to green

 

[92GallonReefer]

wight to silver Blake to copper green to green

thanks thats what i thought just didnt want to mix it up

 

[dan10342]

honestly, you really only need be concerned about the white and black wires.

the white wires go together. the two black wires should go together. the green is the grounding cord.. and is really a safety thing. the ballast does not need to be grounded to run, although i highly recommend grounding both the ballast and reflector.

 

[dan10342]

oh, and black is copper, white is silver in case u wanted to know.

 

[92GallonReefer]

the ballast does not need to be grounded to run, although i highly recommend grounding both the ballast and reflector.

the ballast is grounded, but how would i ground the reflector?

 

[92GallonReefer]

Also i forgot to ask earlier, is it ok to paint the reflector with grill paint. (hope so its already painted)

 

[oceanparadise1]

yes that wont do any harm just make sure it wont start on fire from the heat! i beleive theres special heat resitant paint you can buy

 

[dan10342]

u see that prong on the end of the green cord connected to the ballast? use that to gound the reflector.

 

[92GallonReefer]

u see that prong on the end of the green cord connected to the ballast? use that to gound the reflector.

OOOPPPS its gone, oh well, there is a screw on the ballast marked ground i will use it and hook it to the reflector. I thought that if the ballast was grounded it would be fine. i cut the connector off and wired it to the power cord. is that going to be ok

yes that wont do any harm just make sure it wont start on fire from the heat! i beleive theres special heat resitant paint you can buy

is it ok to paint the reflector with grill paint. (hope so its already painted)

ocean you may have over looked but it is high heat grill paint. It blends in better then the bright polished look it had

 

[dan10342]

in reality, the safest way to go, is to ground everything that is metal. though, it really maes no difference, nor does is affect the way the light runs etc. just proects you i believe. you dont HAVE to ground the reflector. but being near salt and all, it wouldnt be a bad idea.

 

[92GallonReefer]

Thanks everyone for all of your help hopefully i will get a bulb soon so i can try it out. Dont worry i will Take some pics of it set up phil

 

[92GallonReefer]

I am thinking of loosing the wire nuts and using quick connectors. Has any one used the ones from hello lights?

 

[EliteReefs]

i used quick connects on all of my lightiing. if i ever want to remove a part i dont have to take the whole thing. makes changing ballast and or lighting VERY easy and fast

 

[dan10342]

i used a quick disconnect also.

connects the socket to the ballast. the orange part is on the ballast side.