DIY mh fixture

[kuatto]

was looking at lighting and spotted the halogen work lamps(square metal fixture with 500watt bulb,high temp glass,wire protective cage)Could the housing and reflector be reworked to house a mogel socket and bulb?The only problem i could see would be cooling the bulb(the glass would keep moisture out,but heat in)even after installing the socket and wire would still be cheaper than buying a canopy with reflector.Any thought where or not these would work/worth the effort??

Jim

[Jack]

I think they are too small if it's the ones im thinking of. Might be good for DE bulbs but i think it will get to hot. How big is it?

[kuatto]

it was canadian tire's website,they didn't give dimensions,probaly not deep enough for mogel(now that i think,i have seen simular bigger halogen lights,might have to check around)I think Regent makes them.

[Delphinus]

I think you can shoehorn a 150W DE (double-ended) into those 500W halogen fixtures. There are some threads over at RC on the topic. Though you have to get the sockets from somewhere and get a little creative in mounting the sockets. I don't think they're big enough for a 250W DE and they're definitely not big enough for moguls.

[kuatto]

If i ask a certain electrician friend,might be able to get the bigger housings 16x10x5-7inches deep(hmmm)I feel another diy project taken hold :eek:

Jim

[Seth]

Works for 150W DE cuz I just did one. It would probably work on a 250W DE as well I think but you would have to do some mods to the fixture. I used one of those regent fixtures with a 500w halogen bulb.

I dunno if it would work for mogul sockets

[kuatto]

can you use an M58 magnetic ballast with DE lights,or is there a different type of ballast required?

[BCOrchidGuy]

Yeah Seth give up the goods, where did you get the ballasts, how much etc.. I've got 200 watts of PC light on my 15 gallon and I'm sure I could do better with 150watt MH

[Seth]

Wow 200 watts of pc lights on a 15 gallon is good i think. I only like metal halides cuz they make the skimmering effect otherwise they cost more to setup.

I got the ballast off some guy in the states, it was like 60us for 150w electronic ballast. Not bad. Then I had to diy everything which was hard at first cuz I never did it before. But once I got it completed, it was all worthwhile. :biggrin:

I have another 150W pendent on my 20 gallon too. So thats 300W on a 20 gallon high. :cool:

[powerboy]

where theres a way theres a will :)

as far as heat, only thing to really do if you wanted to keep the glass is cut two 4" holes at each end and run some ducting from opening to opening and a fan (preferabily) pulling air through.

[kuatto]

Found the Regent 500w fixtures(12x6x6 aprx)for $15.95.All metal,no plastic with a snap-on glass cover and metal reflector,would have to replace the halogen with DE bulb and hook it up to a mh ballast.

Jim

[horsehunter]

Seth

What was the make and model of yor balast?
Where did you get your lamp and sockets?

Thanks Frank

[BCOrchidGuy]

Seth, your 20 looks great, 300 watts is not to much light on that tank. I see you put your 50 up for sale, what are you going to do now go bigger?

Doug