Bulbs and Sockets

shiftyfatdwarf · #1 04/05/2007, 04:06 PM

I am building my owm lighting system. i have two 250w ballasts with caps and starters but i don't know what or where i can get bulbs and sockets. if anyone could help i need it. im new to this so plz help.

six.line · #2 04/05/2007, 04:18 PM

I don't think there's enough information to go on.

250W ballasts for what? Caps for what? VHO? T5? MH?

I don't have any experience with VHO or T5, but I setup my MH. A good source for parts in any case is www.hellolights.com

Good luck.

shiftyfatdwarf · #3 04/06/2007, 10:26 AM

i get the ballasts from the place i work at the caps are short for compasitors they help distribute the power therefore not sending to much power to bulbs and the starter is a way to make your bulbs last twice as long. the bulbs us a gas and the starter makes it start up smoother and not just a spark and go. the ballasts are magnetic and are used to run the lights.

BurntOutReefer · #4 04/06/2007, 11:15 AM

www.hellolights.com...
look in DIY section

BurntOutReefer · #5 04/06/2007, 11:16 AM

"caps are short for compasitors "...
you mean capacitors

BurntOutReefer · #6 04/06/2007, 11:22 AM

and as far as starters (preheat fixtures only) - its a device to initiate the electrode preheating and high voltage "kick" needed for starting. In other fixture types, the ballast handles this function.
Neverheard it refferred to as "the starter is a way to make your bulbs last twice as long".....

Dont know where you got you info......

BurntOutReefer · #7 04/06/2007, 11:23 AM

so...you have two magnetic ballast, you need a mogul socket.
you can buy all from www.hellolights.com

BurntOutReefer · #8 04/06/2007, 11:24 AM

actually, depending on ballast make/model, it might also fire HQI bulbs...I would check on that as at the end of the day, those bulbs work out cheaper

BurntOutReefer · #9 04/06/2007, 11:26 AM

six.line...
PM sent

six.line · #10 04/06/2007, 11:28 AM

Agreed... a great way to start a Friday.

six.line · #11 04/06/2007, 11:32 AM

But, in any case, what I was getting at was more of a question of what you were trying to setup. I don't see any other posts by you other than the first and third posts, but BurntOutReefer answered pretty well. If you're doing MH, you'll just need a reflector, bulb, and socket. You get to pick the bulb. Find one you like, HQI or Mogul, on HelloLights.com and then find the appropriate socket that matches the bulb type. Mogul is the kind you screw in and HQI is more like having the bulb be the load between two ends that are wired to the ballast.

If you get HQI, make sure you cover the bulb with glass-- they're not UV shielded and you can really literally burn your fish, corals, and your eyeballs.

Good luck.

BurntOutReefer · #12 04/06/2007, 11:34 AM

hey six....my son is a star player on the Orioles....albeit T-Ball...

0 Agios · #13 04/06/2007, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shiftyfatdwarf
I am building my owm lighting system. i have two 250w ballasts with caps and starters but i don't know what or where i can get bulbs and sockets. if anyone could help i need it. im new to this so plz help.

any of your local electrical suppliers will have the parts in stock. Try home depot also. The only thing you need to by from an LFS or online is the 10-20k light bulbs.

shiftyfatdwarf · #14 04/06/2007, 06:32 PM

thx guys for all the info and help. ohh yeah i the starter will make you bulbs last twice as long. at least these ones are designed that way. they are produced buy the #1 lighting company in the world which is who i work for. by the way i can get any ballast and cap and starter you could ever want you give me the specs and i can find one that will work

for a small price!!

BurntOutReefer · #15 04/06/2007, 06:44 PM

ohh great Shifty...now you tell us....where where you two months ago.... LOL.
What about bulbs? Can you get MH bulbs cheap?

shiftyfatdwarf · #16 04/07/2007, 08:00 AM

no i can't get the bulbs i gave one of my brothers bulbs to the bulb qaulity guy at the plant and he couldn't find one that matches. but we do use mh bulbs.

if i ever figure out how to get my pictures from my camera to post on here i can get you guys some pics of everything.