Need help with ballasts and setting up my electrical

Hi guys



So I am going with 3 600w lights
I have this ballast for all lights
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lumatek-600-400-Watt-Dual-Voltage-HSP-HPS-MH-Dial-A-Watt-Electronic-Ballast/131303106173?_trksid=p3693.c100102.m2452&_trkparms=aid=333008&algo=RIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=20140212121249&meid=5735d7bbfd3546f28e79c4ae2e922be0&pid=100102&prg=20140212121249&rkt=4&

It says it is dual voltage and can be used on 240v, which I have heard is what an electric dryer runs on, but my dryer outlet says 250v??? I am confused lol

I am wondering what I will need to do for my set up so I dont blow fuses or start a fire.

My room is in the same room as my breaker box, so if I need to add anything it wont be a huge hassle

Thanks so much for any help! I am new to this.

tillygrower said:

Hi guys



So I am going with 3 600w lights
I have this ballast for all lights
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lumatek-600-400-Watt-Dual-Voltage-HSP-HPS-MH-Dial-A-Watt-Electronic-Ballast/131303106173?_trksid=p3693.c100102.m2452&_trkparms=aid=333008&algo=RIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=20140212121249&meid=5735d7bbfd3546f28e79c4ae2e922be0&pid=100102&prg=20140212121249&rkt=4&

It says it is dual voltage and can be used on 240v, which I have heard is what an electric dryer runs on, but my dryer outlet says 250v??? I am confused lol

I am wondering what I will need to do for my set up so I dont blow fuses or start a fire.

My room is in the same room as my breaker box, so if I need to add anything it wont be a huge hassle

Thanks so much for any help! I am new to this.

Click to expand...

Are you capable of adding a circuit and connecting it safely? If so, is your panel 100 amp? 200 amp? How many available slots are there? I would not know how to attempt a 240 but you can consider a new 20 amp circuit which will support a max of (20*120) = 2400 watts. You want to stay well under 2400 but if only the lights are on that, that would be fine. Make sure to get the correct gauge wire and wire up some outlets.

I would be able to add a circuit with some minimal direction from friends/how-to's online. My panel is 100 amp. There are lots of slots
I am comfortable wiring things up with instructions, but I am not good at knowing what exactly I need in order to support the equipment that I have. I have a pretty limited knowledge of the theory but am able to do the hands on wiring =)

Thanks for the reply!

tillygrower said:

I would be able to add a circuit with some minimal direction from friends/how-to's online. My panel is 100 amp. There are lots of slots
I am comfortable wiring things up with instructions, but I am not good at knowing what exactly I need in order to support the equipment that I have. I have a pretty limited knowledge of the theory but am able to do the hands on wiring =)

Thanks for the reply!

Click to expand...

Ok...just make sure to read or consult people who know so you make sure you do it right and safely. It's not hard at all. I recently renovated a large part of our house and I did all of the electrical myself. It just can seem intimidating.

This is what a circuit looks like. You want a 20 amp:


You want to get Romex wire...12-2 is how it will be labeled. It will come with a black, white and copper (ground).
You need to get 20 amp receptacles...don't use the common 15 amp receptacles. All of this stuff is readily available at any hardware store.

thanks so much for the detailed reply. Helps a lot

make sure the of the type of breaker before you go to buy one. there are a bunch of different styles. look at one of the breakers you have in the model number. there are qo`s, qob`s, homeline, thats just to name a few. if you get the wrong one it want fit the breaker box.

Do I need to wire up a bunch of new receptacles/outlets? Or is there such a thing as a 240v power strip?

you don`t have to wire it as a 240v, you can run it as a 120v. the breaker for 240 would be twice the size of a 120v(pictured) costing much more. with the breaker box being in the same room wiring it 240 wont give you any benefits.

Get a 240v lighting controller like a Helios... wire a dryer cord on that puppy and go to town.

Ok so I have some new info....I think it is good news =)

I realized there is a 250v plug (4 prong).....i think it is from an old hot-tub pump....
So I can just take that receptacle out and put in the appropriate 240v plug to match the ballasts? And can I use a 240v power strip/surge protector to plug in the 3 ballasts to the one receptacle?

Thanks for holding my hand through this haha

Not hard at all to wire up a house but from the sounds of it you definitely want to have a good understanding took me all of 3 hours to have my room fully wired on its own circut

after thats easy peasy

tillygrower said:

Ok so I have some new info....I think it is good news =)

I realized there is a 250v plug (4 prong).....i think it is from an old hot-tub pump....
So I can just take that receptacle out and put in the appropriate 240v plug to match the ballasts? And can I use a 240v power strip/surge protector to plug in the 3 ballasts to the one receptacle?

Thanks for holding my hand through this haha

Click to expand...

No, the feed amperage is too great for even a nema 6-20R let alone #12 wire