Modifying/rewiring ballast to make it remote

So, I've got a problem.

I'm helping a friend of mine (no, really!) setting up a grow cabinet since I used to grow actively myself earlier. The problem is that he's got very limited space to work with (2,5' x 2,7' x 4,4' to be exact) and he's already bought the light fixture, but unfortunately it turned out to take up more horizontal space than expected.

You can see a pic and read specs for it HERE.

With the reflector attached it comes very close to being 2,5' long which would cause the light to be distributed unevenly since it becomes impossible to center the reflector+lamp due to the ballast taking up too much space.

Since the room he's using is so small, separating the ballast would also have the additional benefit of making it easier to control temps.

So... The question is: Do any of you have any experience with rewiring similar types of ballasts to make it remote? What would we have to do to achieve this goal? Is it at all advisable to fuck around with these things without being a trained electrician? It's a digital ballast, which may or may not make a difference.

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated! I see there's a 'rep' system on this site. If anybody can help us with this problem, I will surely dole out what I have of rep points should I ever accrue any...

I took a picture of how the socket is connected to the ballast in case that helps:



Halp?

Hmm dude I dont know much but I have worked with wires....Why dont you guys just go out and grab some bigger gauge wire with no power going to the ballast rewire between the socket and ballest, I would go bigger with wire should never go smaller and get some wire nuts and get that ballest out of that area in front of a fan or something...if I were doing that though I would make sure it is not around children.

You will need to research the ballast,some have a max distance the light can be from the ballast.The majority i have seen say 2 ft. to light max.I do not know if this is just for the ignitor or capacitor or coil.OPH

Rod Blagojevich said:

Hmm dude I dont know much but I have worked with wires....Why dont you guys just go out and grab some bigger gauge wire with no power going to the ballast rewire between the socket and ballest, I would go bigger with wire should never go smaller and get some wire nuts and get that ballest out of that area in front of a fan or something...if I were doing that though I would make sure it is not around children.

Click to expand...

Thanks, he's single so children shouldn't be a worry. He has a dog though, so I guess there's that to worry about..

I was thinking something similar to what you wrote about the rewiring, but a little unsure about wires and wire nuts. Can basically any type of electrical wire / wire nuts be used as long as it's thicker gauge? If you look at the wires going from the white connector thingies to the socket, it seems like they have extra protection of some sort. I guess I should probably try to find something similar only a little thicker then?

old pothead said:

You will need to research the ballast,some have a max distance the light can be from the ballast.The majority i have seen say 2 ft. to light max.I do not know if this is just for the ignitor or capacitor or coil.OPH

Click to expand...

Thanks. The cabinet has a top shelf where the ballast could be placed, and the distance between ballast and light could then theoretically be within 2 feet at all times I think.

I know the same basic type of ballast is sold as remote ballast as well with 10-15 feet cables between ballast / light (which is actually what my friend thought he ordered), but I don't really know if the ballast is modified in some other ways to make that possible.

I guess I should have thought about it before, but I think I'll try contacting the manufacturer of the ballast for more info.