Teadaemon
Member
Ok, this will probably seem a little basic for some, but I've had a quick search through and not found quite the information I'm looking for (though several threads on here have got me to the point of asking this question).
Anyway, if it is correct to say that the only difference between a metal halide ballast and an HPS ballast of equivalent wattage is the presence of an igniter in the HPS ballast, is it safe to assume that what is described as a "70W Sodium floodlight", requiring an HPS bulb with an internal igniter, would have components compatible with the operation of 70W metal halide bulbs (not in the original housing, obviously)? The fitting I have in mind is available to order online from a major UK supplier of building materials for about the same price as a bare ballast from an electrical suppliers, and even includes an appropriate HPS bulb.
After spending far too many hours yesterday looking at various ballasts, capacitors, igniters online yesterday, my feeling is that it probably would be - most of the bare ballasts I've seen are listed as suitable for MH or HPS, which would fit in with what I've read elsewhere.
Also, I have another question on much the same subject - I've seen mention of 'HPS conversion bulbs' suitable for use with MH ballasts, are these in fact the HPS bulbs with internal igniters that I've seen advertised, as I've never come across one explicitly labelled as a 'conversion bulb'?
Anyway, if it is correct to say that the only difference between a metal halide ballast and an HPS ballast of equivalent wattage is the presence of an igniter in the HPS ballast, is it safe to assume that what is described as a "70W Sodium floodlight", requiring an HPS bulb with an internal igniter, would have components compatible with the operation of 70W metal halide bulbs (not in the original housing, obviously)? The fitting I have in mind is available to order online from a major UK supplier of building materials for about the same price as a bare ballast from an electrical suppliers, and even includes an appropriate HPS bulb.
After spending far too many hours yesterday looking at various ballasts, capacitors, igniters online yesterday, my feeling is that it probably would be - most of the bare ballasts I've seen are listed as suitable for MH or HPS, which would fit in with what I've read elsewhere.
Also, I have another question on much the same subject - I've seen mention of 'HPS conversion bulbs' suitable for use with MH ballasts, are these in fact the HPS bulbs with internal igniters that I've seen advertised, as I've never come across one explicitly labelled as a 'conversion bulb'?
