Question About Replacement Ballast

[mike31154]

If it's a magnetic ballast you should be able to troubleshoot the problem down to the individual component, coil, capacitor and possibly ignitor if so fitted. This will eliminate the need to buy a complete new ballast. That's the beauty of magnetic ballasts, much easier to repair than electronic, most of which are completely trash once they've konked out.

Check out the following link, it should help solve the issue. There's a link near the top of the web page to a pdf "HID Ballast Troubleshooting Guide".

http://www.atlaslightingsupply.com/MHBallast.html

Some components are readily available separately, such as the capacitors, but it might be just as cost effective to get a 'kit' from the manufacturer. If required, the electrical connector should be easy to switch over, since most magnetic ballasts have straightforward connections once you open the case. Look for an ANSI number somewhere on the case or inside, should be alphanumeric starting with the letter M for metal halide magnetic ballasts. This is a standard designation and will make it very easy to match components required regardless of manufacturer. Not sure what it will be for your DE setup, possibly M80 or M138/153. I have 250watt SE lamps and they are driven by Advance M58 magnetic ballasts.