How can I tell what kind of MH ballast I have?

[demifelix]

I have an old ballast (bought it 6 years ago). I'm thinking about running Radium SE bulb but I heard that it may not fire on the wrong ballast. Is there anyway I can tell what kind of ballast I have?

 

[acroholic]

How about finding someone in your area with an old radium bulb to try out? I have an old Radium 250 or 400 you could borrow. I am in Sandy Springs if that is not too far from you.

 

[purplegorilla]

Magnetic = larger, bulkier and tends to be heavier.
Electronic = smaller, more compact and lighter.

 

[acroholic]

An electric ballast will usually fire any bulb of the appropriate wattage. Not all magnetic ballasts will fire a Radium.

 

[demifelix]

Thanks Dave. I'll pm you.

 

[grouper therapy]

If you can open up the enclosure I can tell you what type you have. There are actually a few different types of magnetic . Some will fire radium some will not. And as mentioned there are electronic as well.

 

[rbredding]

if it weighs a TON... it's magnetic...


if it weighs HALF a TON... it's electronic...

 

[demifelix]

Rbredding;589740 wrote: if it weighs a TON... it's magnetic...

if it weighs HALF a TON... it's electronic...

Mine weighs 3/4 of a ton.....what would you guess without taking it apart?

 

[grouper therapy]

Magnetic ANY NUMBERS AVAILABLE?

 

[rbredding]

probably magnetic...

anything over half a ton is usually magnetic..