MH Ballast help

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I need to change my dual 400watt ballast. Its just WAY too loud. Its quite old now and I don't even really trust it to be honest.

Where is a good place to get ballasts? I don't want to bother anymore with paying for overpriced ballast with Aquarium brand names. Like most things made for the hobby, as soon as you put "aquarium" on it, it sells for like triple

Any suggestions?

[banditpowdercoat]

I would check out an electrical supply store. Westburne, Eecol, etc.

When you fing something, let us know

[chevyjaxon]

hydroponics shops usually carry them

[mike31154]

I gather this is a magnetic ballast? Transformer/coil & capacitor. To produce 400watts takes some large components and transformer hum can be substantial. Have you opened the unit up to see what's making the noise? Could be as simple as a loose mounting screw holding the transformer in place. Or you might look into replacing the capacitor if it's that old. If saving money is the goal I'd say it's worth having a look at these things. It's still firing your lamp(s) so there's nothing to lose by checking for loose connections.

[mseepman]

I use a ballast from Ballastwise for my 70W mh nano light fixture. They are electronic, so they are silent and don't get too hot.

Here's a link....http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?...FID=17&level=1

Hope that helps. One thing to note, they are not fantastic shippers across the border...I had to put all the paperwork together myself, pre-pay the shipping company and then they shipped it.

[BCOrchidGuy]

Don't know how much you know about electricity but one thing I do know is don't mess with a capacitor with your bare hands. There is a way to discharge it but I can't remember what it is, someone else will post I'm sure but the capacitor holds the charge so even after you've unplugged the unit the capacitor is still holding enough of a bang to make your day not so great.

Douglas