600w HPS 230v ballast.. But no option for a 240v outlet..

My circuit box is jammed full of old ass shit. Apparently because most of the electrical work in this house is copper..if someone was to upgrade the circuit box(to a larger one) they'd have to rewire the whole house because of the copper wiring... Don't entirely know if that's true or not but thats what the homeowner said.
Next, I'm currently growing with just CFL's... But the bud is not as dense and plants r smaller. So A friend donated some of his old equipment to me mainly 2 x 600w HPS Ballast/Fixture combo (see pics)..but they say 230v input. All the outlets in my house are 120v. Am I SOL or do I have any options here? I read that you can rewire 240v ballasts to be 120v because they all come with the ability to be wired to what ever country's voltages. But depending on the country, that will be the voltage that will be chosen during assembly. So I opened it up and this is what I see... none of the wires are labeled...from what i can see...should I go investigating more (by investigating i mean rip out this hard black plastic stuff).. or just try to trade them for a 120v ballast and or fixture to a local hydro store? 2nd are they even worth trading? buddy told me they were $600 fixtures. Any input greatly appreciated




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You could buy a 120 to 240 V step-up transformer...

the home owner is wrong copper wire is what you want it is the old alluminum wire that is no good what is you cook stove or hot water heater or dryer one may be electric and if so theres your 220 or even a water pump if you now some body with electric knowledge they can get you 220 with out over loading a circuit

Here's what you need, cheaper than an electrician.

http://www.amazon.com/Goldsource-STU-1000-Voltage-Transformer-Converter/dp/B0022TVX2Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1366643776&sr=8-2&keywords=step+up+transformer