please help get light fixture going, im stumped!

i got two light ballasts free and have been day dreaming about getting these things going. my friend who had the same situation told me to cut the cord and mend colors with a extension cord, and that worked for him but not for me. can any expert tell me whats going on? or if its even possible to get this thing going in a standard house outlet?

my two are: 400 w lamp type: m59
;
60 herz 277 volts

hpf: h pri amps: 1.80

Sounds like an electrical fire waiting to happen. I'm not an electrician but I suggest you do some more reading on voltage and how ballasts use it.

if there 277 volt ballasts they wont work in your house.
maybe you can see if the ballast is a multi tap.... google it.