How did you enclose your bare ballasts?

[got2lb]

Been thinking about getting the bare MH ballasts and making my own "box" for them. Just kind of curious how everyone else has done it?

Pics would be great.

[haydenholgate]

i was going to do similar i was planning on putting it in a 10 dollar metal tool box form walls marts.

[45commando]

I made a box out of scrap wood to enclose a magnetic ballast.I drilled a bunch of holes in it,to allow for cooling.

[got2lb]

Don't these usually get pretty warm? I wouldn't think a wood box would probably be the best idea?

Metal tool box might not be a bad idea. Most of them anymore though for the cheapy ones are all plastic.

[45commando]

The ballasts get very hot,but that is why I drilled so many holes in it.I've had this ballast running for 10 years & no problems.I know manufactured ballasts are in metal enclosures,but at the time I just didn't feel comfortable having a DIY assembled unit in a metal box.If I was to replace it,I would probably go with a metal gang/junction box as an enclosure.HTH

[ahoyhoy239]

metal boxes are ideal because they are a faraday cage i think its called, just google it i guess, anyways the point is that it prevents outside interference with the ballast's magnet. you also dont want any large holes, preferably small holes or vents

[dafunk5446]

I used a circuit breaker box and just removed the breakers, after my overheating problem which made my capicitor melt, I would cut a whole lotta holes in it and maybe put a computer fan in it, other then that it has worked great. Easy to mount on a wall as well.

[Malifluous]

Sorry for the hijack, how can we enclose T5 ballast

[got2lb]

No ones got any pics? ;)

[Solitaryensis]

I used a circuit breaker box as well. It cost me 10 bucks and has worked flawlessly for over a year.

[Daoust]

Here you go.
D.



http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a99/daoust/70d4a8c7.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a99/daoust/a8e65557.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a99/daoust/6a2c3028.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a99/daoust/49f684d8.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a99/daoust/497a2d4c.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a99/daoust/46835078.jpg]

[CleveYank]

old micro or baby AT or ATX computer cases converted from old doorstop with all the guts out and fan place in the back where power supply was make super cases for DYI metal halide setups. Or any ballast at all really.

Or leave old power supply in, desolder wiring for pwr spply cooling fan and wire into power switch on front (rocker type is possible) Wire in screw in fuse holder for 6amp slow blow would be a good idea. Or again if power supply has one rewire into it. Bypass and or remove guts of power supply of course.

The cases are usually vertical and cooling and heatsink and insulate for sound. Since almost everyone has old clunker at one time or another they are easy to find.

[Bryan]

Check out a hydroponics shop, they usually sell premade aluminum/steel boxes that are designed to accept MH ballasts, they are generally louvered for ventilation.

Where I live there is a hydroponics shop on every block<g>