Replacing Outer Orbit 150w MH ballast with 250w?

[Crackerballer]

Oh I know the brackets can be moved, but I will need another set of backets for mounting the 2nd 150 bulb holder and reflector. That guy sold that 150 ballast and glass, but I was able to find the 150 sunpark for $79.99. I think the middle piece that is on the sunpod will slide right in and show me where I need to place the brackets for the MHs.

My friend has a sunpod so one day next week I am going to pull his middle section out and see if it works. If it does, I will see what I can get it for price wise, otherwise I will just modify my stock pieces by cutting them and I still may be able to use the moon lights that came on it.

[DarG]

Im sure that you could get those parts from Current USA as well if you need to go that route. And the parts in general, besides the electronics themselves arent too expensive. The two 250 watt reflectors and two 250 watt sockets cost me about 60 dollars and that was with shipping. So, maybe 50 bucks for the parts themselves. Surem they make a good profit on the parts but thats not too bad for replacement parts from a manufacturer. So, they couldnt want much for the mounting brackets for the ballast.

[Crackerballer]

Yea I just ordered the ballast directly from Sunpark for $78 shipped.

So that takes my light total up to
$280
+$78
_____
$358

All I need now is those mounting tabs and the reflector with bulb mount.

DarG, think this reflector will work? It has the mounting tabs built in and comes with UV glass for $40 from HelloLights.com

[DarG]

I've used those reflectors before. They are marginally better than the stock reflectors in the Current HQI fixtures. They are fine in combination with flourescent supplementation. They are narrow enough that they would fit but better double check the height to make sure they will fit depth of fixture wise unless you dont mind them hanging down from the bottom.

[Crackerballer]

Cool. So now how do you suggest I mount the glass? What I want to do is get the 18 leds on 3 panels, but that would require making 2 outlets for the power cords and wiring them up.

I called Marine Depot, here are the prices they gave me:

$13.12 per glass panel (I need 1)
$19.71 for reflectors (need 1)
$16.41 for HQI socket (need 1)

So he wasn't able to look up the metal brackets to mount the halide to, or the LED system (which I am scared will be expensive as crap) so he told me to call Current USA and get part numbers and then he could quote me.

[DarG]

Marine Depot or Marine and Reef sell the LED panels on their site. They are kinda expensive but not ridiculously so, relatively speaking.

Mounting the glass with the stock reflectors you mean? Maybe the same way they do it on the stock fixture. If you can get some type of threaded nut/insert like they use stock, you could use the same brackets and screws. Just more parts you would have to order through Current.

Just so you know, I would still sell the fixture and go with some Lumenarc or Lumenmax pendants, seperate T5 or other flourescents supplemental and some type of LED lighting and DIY piecemeal. Just what I would personally do ... But I'm behind you 100% in your ambitious fixture mod.

[Crackerballer]

Yea but I also need the pieces that go around the panel, like the entire slide in piece so that way I also have the screw holes for mounting the thumb screws to hold in the glass, or atleast the wholes to mount the clamp brackets.

[DarG]

I thought they just used 4 threaded inserts, 2 on each side of the panel and then those brackets that hold the glass. But my unit has been boxed up for months now so I dont remember exactly what the screws threaded into. Regardless, any part should be available from Current through the dealer. You could just mount a couple pieces of small aluminum or steel channel on 2 sides of each of the halides and slide a piece of glass in and out of those. Paint them black and cut them straight and they wouldnt look bad at all. Alot cheaper than buying the mounting hardware from Current, I'm sure.

[Crackerballer]

Yea DarG, but at this point, if it is only another $100 or so to add 18 lunars with all the panels and such, I would do it. I am worried about having to add a second out for the power supply. I will probably order the reflector, glass, and socket, wire up both MHs and just play with the stock pieces to see if I can mount the glass to them.

I would still have 4 lunar lights off that one power supply. I could do without lunars all together, but if its not terribly expensive to add the 18 in 2 different colors, I would do it.