Ballast question

[Nano-Neophyte]

Do you recognize this plug? I'm looking for the female side for it. I bought a DE halide fixture from a friend. It has the 70W bulb and fixture but no ballast. I have a 75W electronic ballast I would like to use. Two questions ...

This may seem like a stupid question but can I use this ballast(75W) with a 70W bulb?

http://genji.image.pbase.com/u16/digicam_neophyte/upload/38926994.ballast.jpg

If the image doesn't show the direct link is here (http://www.pbase.com/digicam_neophyte/image/38926994).

Where can I find the matching female plug end to go with this plug?

http://image.pbase.com/u15/digicam_neophyte/medium/38926991.Plug.jpg

If the image doesn't show, the direct link is here (http://www.pbase.com/digicam_neophyte/image/38926991).

Thank you,

[Nano-Neophyte]

Alrighty, I believe I solved the problem I was having with the images above. I would really love your thoughts on my problem. I'm looking for the female side for it. I bought a DE halide fixture from a friend. It has the 70W bulb and fixture but no ballast. I have a 75W electronic ballast I would like to use. Two questions ...

This may seem like a stupid question, but can I use this ballast(75W) with a 70W bulb?

http://home.wi.rr.com/digicamneophyte/ballast.jpg

Where can I find the matching female plug end to go with this plug?

http://home.wi.rr.com/digicamneophyte/Plug.jpg

Thank you,

[MadTownMax]

check out this Metal halide Ballasts - which one is which? (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=201570) that should help a lot - and mech130 can give you a definate answer.

I also found this thread :

http://www.reeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1566#post1566

that says that the M85 (that's what your ballast says) is made for 70W double-ended bulbs - so you should be OK, but be sure to get a second opinion, if just to ease your mind :D

someone else will have to comment about the plug - you might be able to find one - personally I find it too difficult to track down what lighting supplier made each plug, and then have to order it from them - I just cut the end-off and re-wire them.

It really isn't that difficult - and if you go to Radioshack you can buy some "heat-shrink tubing" so once you have the wires twisted togather, you just have to put this stuff around it and heat it and it shrinks around the rest of the cord - looks very professional - and it's easy to do.

-Nick

[MadTownMax]

here's another link - it shows which ballast to use w/ which bulb.

http://www.aquarium-lighting-guide.com/metal-halide-ansi

[won digity]

That ballast will work (and I've used it in the past).

Don't have a clue about the plug though.

It might be worth it to just replace it with another male/female set of quick connects.