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Homemade H37 ballast
I've been wanting to test my 250W mercury lamps for quite a while now. And I had an idea today.

What if I replace the original 24uF capacitor of a H33 ballast by one of a lower value to bring the power down to 250W? According to my calculations this ballast powers a 250W just fine with a 15uF capacitor... which I happen to have! (It's from a stove hood if I remember, go figure xD)

The current value I was looking for: 1.95A or so. At the moment it's around 1.6A, perfect! And the ballast is barely warm!
Keywords: Lit_Lighting

Homemade H37 ballast

I've been wanting to test my 250W mercury lamps for quite a while now. And I had an idea today.

What if I replace the original 24uF capacitor of a H33 ballast by one of a lower value to bring the power down to 250W? According to my calculations this ballast powers a 250W just fine with a 15uF capacitor... which I happen to have! (It's from a stove hood if I remember, go figure xD)

The current value I was looking for: 1.95A or so. At the moment it's around 1.6A, perfect! And the ballast is barely warm!

102_1426.JPG 102_1405.JPG SYL_CAN_H33CD-400.jpg WESTY_CAN_H1LB-C.jpg SYL_CAN_H33GL-400-DX.jpg
File information
Filename:102_1405.JPG
Album name:Vince / HID lamps and ballasts
Keywords:Lit_Lighting
Filesize:375 KiB
Date added:Mar 05, 2015
Dimensions:2592 x 1944 pixels
Displayed:1121 times
Color Space:sRGB
Contrast:0
DateTime Original:2015:03:05 14:39:30
Exposure Bias:0 EV
Exposure Mode:0
Exposure Program:Unknown: 0
Exposure Time:1/250 sec
FNumber:f/3.2
Flash:No Flash
Focal length:9.36 mm
ISO:71
Light Source:Unknown: 0
Make:Eastman Kodak Company
Max Aperture:f/3.6
Model:KODAK Z812 IS ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA
URL:http://www.galleryoflights.org/mb/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=19001
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Comment 1 to 4 of 4
Page: 1

GEsoftwhite100watts   [Mar 06, 2015 at 01:02 AM]
Looks great! Never knew you could do that!
BULB FREAK   [Mar 06, 2015 at 08:15 AM]
Just FYI a 250W Mercury lamp runs at 2.15A 130V so runinng it at 1.95A (or 1.6A esp) is under driving it...
streetlight98   [Mar 06, 2015 at 09:10 PM]
Maybe he meant 2.6A... Yeah 1.6 sounds a little low. My 250W MH lamp is rated for like 2.7A or something...
BULB FREAK   [Mar 07, 2015 at 05:45 AM]
a Probe start 250W MH lamp runs at the same specs as a 250W Mercury lamp... Im talking about lamp side current here not mains side current...

Comment 1 to 4 of 4
Page: 1