400W Ammo Can complete!

[bshumake]

Well, its finally done. It took me long enough but eh, i'm in no rush. So heres what I did. Got a 400W Advance MH ballast from Hellolights (Model # 71A6001) and stared at the wiring diagram for about a week. Since I'm not an electrical engineer (of which I'm convinced you need to be to understand what you're looking at there) I consulted online and on RC. Finally I asked my father-in-law (who is a computer programer and engineer) and he explained it to me. So off I went.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02154.jpg
Above is the materials I started with. Hindsight being 20/20 I shouldn't have done this on a black bench. Sorry for that. So basically what you're seeing is the MH kit (ballast, wiring, high temp nuts) and my ammo can.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02155.jpg
I laid the parts out to get an idea of where it all would go. Then I marked the mount so I could drill the holes.

[bshumake]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02157.jpg
So here I am drilling the holes for the mount. I'm gonna use some machine screws and washers to get a nice tight fit. The holes needed a little sanding so out came the dremmel. Man I love that thing.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02159.jpg
So next I got the wiring all figured out and mounted the ballast. I have a pic of the ballast wired but its off so I'm not going to show it. I got the com wires together and... well its just stupid.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02160.jpg
So next I marked where I wanted to put the electrical and lamp jacks.

[bshumake]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02166.jpg
Here is the bottom jack (the power jack) cut and the lamp (top) measured and almost cut.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02165.jpg
Here I am cutting the hole for the jack. I had to move my propane torch when I noticed the sparks were bouncing off it. Cand have that puppy blowing up next to me. The wife might be a little ticked about that.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02170.jpg
This is the hole drilled for the power switch I got. Its just a 125V rocker switch I got at Radi Shack. And here it is installed and the connections sodered.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02171.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02174.jpg

[bshumake]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02175.jpg
Now all thats left is to solder up the rest of the connections and pop those jacks in place (they lock themselves in so the won't come out).
And here it is all done. I plugged it in and powered it up. Its humming nicely. Now I just need to get a bulb and mount it in my canopy.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02176.jpg

[bond007069]

thats pretty cool :)

[Codeman00]

Nice work, Barrett. DIY rocks.

[bshumake]

Originally posted by bond007069
thats pretty cool :)
You'r avatar's got my DIY beat bond. Yowza!

[Rendos]

Good job on the ammo box/ballast box. Looks really nice.

[Rendos]

I don't want to steal your thread, but I thought I'd show you your powerhead holder.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/43262558-L.jpg

[bshumake]

Originally posted by Rendos
I don't want to steal your thread, but I thought I'd show you your powerhead holder.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/43262558-L.jpg
I'm So buying you a couple of drinks at the November Party!!! Thanks Richard. I'm going to Kermits to get a bulb when they open. I'm thinking a 14K, but a 20 might work nice too. Danny's thinking that when I replace bulbs for the year to make the 400W a 10K and my two 175W's 20K's. I'm so jazzed about this! Now I can get the Tunze modded MJ's up and i'll be rockin!

[bshumake]

I still need to cut vent holes for the ammo can. I'll mount a fan in the box for circulation and there is a company that makes a noise dampening material for cars that I was gonna use for this. It converts vibrational energy into heat. Planning on lining the ammo can with it. Maby get my other ballasts with it while I'm at it. I debated on using a lighted rocker switch and wound up with the cheaper non-lighted rocker. I might tackle a power center like yours next Richard.

[Below Sea Level]

Looks cool. what did the total cost end up being?

[bshumake]

well, the ballast was $60
(i believe) for the mogul socket $6
Ammo can, soldering iron, wire nuts...free.
Comp jacks $9
cables(couple beers for Richard)$4
Rocker switch $3
Bulb was $90 at Kermits
Total: $172.00
The experience was totally worth it. I'll be DIY'ing lights from now on. I really like the ammo box look. and its stackable and waterproof (except for where I drilled and cut.

[bshumake]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02197.jpg
Here it is. 15K XM. Mounted in the center and a little caty-cornered so it will fit. I'm thinking about redoing my canopy and all so this might change.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02197.jpg
The new color to my tank. Its got just a hint more blue to tone down some of the yellow from the 10K's. 15K worked out prefect. I was gonna go with the 20K but I'm liking the 15K just fine.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02199.jpg
The Money shot!

[bshumake]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02197.jpg
Oops. heres the tank.

[bshumake]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02198.jpg

[Rendos]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02199.jpg

I just posted this on a few select dating websites. Hope you don't mind. I put your cell number with it. You can thank me later when you start getting calls for...well...I think we all know what.

[just dave]

It would help to vent the ballast box.

[bshumake]

Oh I am. I'm leaving the lid open for now. I'll be getting a computer fan and wiring it in there this week.

[just dave]

Originally posted by bshumake
Oh I am. I'm leaving the lid open for now. I'll be getting a computer fan and wiring it in there this week.


The idea of the ammo cans is making it safer in case of a fire. The PC fan would negate that to some degree I would imagine as it is probably made of plastic.

[bshumake]

I wasn't looking at the ammo can as a fire safety measure. More the ease of availability, portability, sturdy construction, and over all cool factor. I was thinking about cutting vent slts in the sides and bending them up to make ribs, It just seems a little more fun to put a fan in it. I do need to get me some rubber feet for it though.

[nam2212]

Looks awesome. That is some serious light over the tank. I am sending you a PM.

[bshumake]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a280/bshumake/DSC02206.jpg
got the mounts tonight! Yeah! 7:30PM and UPS dropped them and ran. No knock, no doorbell ring. I had to tap them. They are just a smidge too big. But no worries there. Falme pollished the edges, thanks for routing them Richard. Their smooth as glass now. I'll mount them tomorrow and get some more pics.

[badpacket]

"I'll mount a fan in the box for circulation and there is a company that makes a noise dampening material for cars that I was gonna use for this. It converts vibrational energy into heat. Planning on lining the ammo can with it. "

Mightnot really be a problem, however are you sure you want to basically insulate the can with that material. Even with the fan, get a bigger fan, undervolt it to 7v and you should get decent quiet cooling. Nice hack.