Magnetic Ballast Repair Questions

I have a 1000w switchable ballast that went tits up, didn't completely stop working but the bulb is just dim when it runs. So I purchased a capacitor today from a local store

http://www.elightbulbs.com/General-24400-CAM400-CAPACITOR-Ballast-Capacitor&source=GoogleBaseCSE?gclid=CKzGoqTvlbwCFYqDfgodI20AKQ

Well I opened up my ballast and yanked out the old capacitor today, it's the same make model specs as my new one however the original has a resistor soldered to it, the new one does not.

Do I need to hit the local radio shack to get a resistor, is the resistor necessary?

bump......

Resistor not required. It's there to safely discharge the capacitor when off.

SnapsProvolone said:

Resistor not required. It's there to safely discharge the capacitor when off.

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So basically with resistor there no chance of fucking myself if ever I needed to replace it (due to capacitor still storing juice), resistor not there I just need to take precautions (drain the capacitor of all juice) if I ever need to replace the capacitor again?

Grojak said:

So basically with resistor there no chance of fucking myself if ever I needed to replace it (due to capacitor still storing juice), resistor not there I just need to take precautions (drain the capacitor of all juice) if I ever need to replace the capacitor again?

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Why not just unsolder the old resistor and solder it onto your new one before you solder it back in the breadboard?

Grojak said:

So basically with resistor there no chance of fucking myself if ever I needed to replace it (due to capacitor still storing juice), resistor not there I just need to take precautions (drain the capacitor of all juice) if I ever need to replace the capacitor again?

Click to expand...

Precisely. Save the resistor and use it to safely discharge similar caps.

Thanks man save me an hour round trip to radio shack

how do you discharge caps?

steelheadguy said:

how do you discharge caps?

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Using a resistor across the terminals for a several seconds instead of just arcing it's contacts with zero ohms is the preferred method. If you do this on larger capacitors you may require a resistor of larger wattage rating. This all depends on voltage and microfarad. Your safer discharging with an insulated screwdriver than working with a hot cap just expect an arc so eyewear is smart. A really hot capacitor can "weld" your driver to the terminals so don't use your pretty one.