My Ballast for HPS?

I have these ballasts that came from high bay lights with metal halide bulbs. On the ballast it says that it accepts multiple bulb types. However, when I put a HPS bulb in one recently, it would not light up. Is there something I am supposed to do to alter the ballast? Did I just buy a bad bulb?

Here are some pics:

were did you get it?

how is it wired?

what are you plugging it into?

it can accept multiple voltages depending on how its wired

LightFusion said:

were did you get it?

how is it wired?

what are you plugging it into?

it can accept multiple voltages depending on how its wired

Click to expand...

There are different wires for different voltages. I have it set on the 120 for my US voltage. I have been using it with a metal halide. I switched the timer to 12/12, and I think I should use a HPS bulb.

LightFusion said:

were did you get it?

how is it wired?

what are you plugging it into?

it can accept multiple voltages depending on how its wired

Click to expand...

I put a regular three prong plug on a 12 gauge wire running into it. I bought it from someone I found selling it on Craigslist.

weird. if you have a meter available to you, you could plug the ballast in and touch the leads to the bulb socket and make sure your getting voltage to the socket, otherwise myb its bad?

its hard for me to tell without seeing it in person

it says on the label high pressure sodium, metal halide, or mercury but that doesn't mean it doesn't need to be wired different for different bulbs...

sorry i can't help

It works for my metal halide. Should a HPS bulb still do something?

You may need to switch something inside the ballast, otherwise theres always HPS conversion bulbs

ReeferBen said:

You may need to switch something inside the ballast, otherwise theres always HPS conversion bulbs

Click to expand...

Aren't those bulbs metal halides for HPS ballasts?


Also, can metal halide ballasts typically be altered for HPS?

rothbardian said:

Aren't those bulbs metal halides for HPS ballasts?


Also, can metal halide ballasts typically be altered for HPS?

Click to expand...

The M59 on the ballast means it is a MH only. You will have to use a conversion buld for HPS. Ballsts of that type for HPS would have S51 on it. I know it has multible bulb types on it, but that probaly just a generic label the maker uses. The tech tag is the one you go by. Hope this helps and HAPPY TRAILS!