Build your own HID-Ballast

[vimax]

I was just wondering if I wanted to use a 250W lamp the total ballast power increases linearily proportional?

The ignitor would be the same I guess...

[mathias]

I can´t test the 250W bulb design but I did a simulation, according to that, you can use six 36W ballasts and you should get around 250W, but there are two version of the HQI 250W bulb, one that runs on 100V and the other runs on 133V.

Try this:
HQI 250W 100V = six 36W ballasts.
HQI 250W 133V = four 30W and two 36W ballasts.

I haven´t tried this, the only way to know if it works is to measure the voltage and the current, the bulb gets. Ignit the bulb and let it warm up, measure the voltage and current, when the voltage reach 100 Volt (100V bulb) lock at current-meter, it should say 2.4-2.5A. If the voltage goes over 100 V or you get more than 2.5A ,turn it of, replace one 36W ballast with a 30W, do the test again.

[mervyntan]

hi,

anyone one can let me know how to DIY 12v hid ballast???


thanks

moot

[Tekko]

A 300W 12VDC to 120(230)VAC inverter May work but you still need the ballast inductor (transformer) for current limiting and the ignitor to turn on the bulb.

[nyman]

Originally posted by mathias
Yes, Condensator is actually Capacitor, I´m sorry for my spelling. I know it´s hard to find a 18 uF / ~300V capacitor, but you don´t need it. But without it, your electricbill will be more expensive.

The capacitor only changes the the phase of the current. This don't affect your electricbill, as the wattage is still the same.

[Megaman]

Originally posted by ace3000_1

quote:
has anyone seen MH ballast for less than $50?


ya they are easy to find in europe, typically $25 -$30 230v though

Where is that? I'v been looking around but found none that cheap.

[Rox]

do yo think guys it is posible to make an electronic ballast with those dimmers?

i mean without any ballast.

If you check the especs on the net about the electronic ballast, you´ll find they work at 20Khz-40Khz frecuency range, (i guess this is the trick to limit current) if we could make an square oscilator and add a power stage to it.... i don´t know.
What to you think?

It could be posible to modiffy a computer power suply????

[li_gangyi]

IR has a range of ICs that do dimming...u might wanna look into those...but I only know they do flourscent lamps...perhaps they could be modded to suit?

[part2wanksta]

this looks like it will run hqi lamps

what exactly do i need to get a 250w output

i have a 250w ballast, but it is core and coil., can i use anything from it

[Guy Grotke]

I don't think the lamp would stay lit. If you look at the voltage across a regular flourescent lamp with a scope, you will see a high voltage spike at the beginning of every half cycle. I think this is required to keep the gas inside the tube ionized. Then the voltage drops down to the regular level (169 or 338 volts P-P sine wave).

I'd bet the MH ballast does the very same thing. So then you couldn't duplicate it with just a fast switch. You would need an inductor or a flying capacitor circuit to get the higher voltage spike.