old ballast/socket+new reflector?

So I have a magnetic ballast 400w HPS/MH light. I decided to get a real reflector and air cool it for my temperature issues as opposed to getting an 2'x8 tube fluorescent light. My dillema is that it seems the reflectors are all "pre-wired with lamp cord and socket assembly."

My unit has a plug to the wall that connects to the actual magnetic ballast, that has a long cord leading to the light and its socket (cylindrical, 1-2" height, 3-4" diameter). It's all connected. Will this still work with another reflector? I'm looking at a yield master 2 or cool sun 6". Specifically ones that I can put a sunshield on and aren't over 150 bucks.

My ballast/light is from HTG, but their damn website is down for idk how long because of a server move. Any tips would be appreciated.

That's a good question, because there are basically 2 different cord sets, and to make things more confusing they have different names. You want to make sure you have the right cord set to match your ballast, or esle you will end up having to cut and splice the wires (from each) together, or buying an adapter like this



Sun System (fits sun system only)

hydro-farm (also called "all system") fits most others

GL

Can't take a picture, so I made a drawing of it

top view, and side view

The cord goes into that base (the cylinder) and that is where the socket is attached. I don't mind rewiring, but I'm a messy guy when it comes to DIY work and i'm trying to keep this clean looking. There are no plugs, everything is attached permanently. I just want to be sure that I'll be able to use this ballast with a new reflector; i take forever to make decisions and now that I finally decided to forego fluorescents and stick with what I got, I find out that what I got won't work the way it its!

Anyone using a yieldmaster 2 or cool sun 6, I'd love to hear from =)

Is your reflector cord is hard wired to your Ballast?? If so, Chect to see if your socket has 4 wing nuts securing it to your present reflector. If so, check to see if the reflector you are interested in has wing nuts also. They are usually universal and interchangable. If not your gonna have to hard wire your lamp cord to the new reflector socket if your present lamp cord is hard wired to the ballast. Not really hard to do.

obligatedaggie said:

Can't take a picture, so I made a drawing of it

top view, and side view

The cord goes into that base (the cylinder) and that is where the socket is attached. I don't mind rewiring, but I'm a messy guy when it comes to DIY work and i'm trying to keep this clean looking. There are no plugs, everything is attached permanently. I just want to be sure that I'll be able to use this ballast with a new reflector; i take forever to make decisions and now that I finally decided to forego fluorescents and stick with what I got, I find out that what I got won't work the way it its!

Anyone using a yieldmaster 2 or cool sun 6, I'd love to hear from =)

Click to expand...

I took it apart and Wired a Sunsystem Wire just as the factory would have. there is an access pannel with 4 screws where the wire runs, just open up and undo the wire nuts inside.
Black to black white to white IMPORTANT the Ground must have an eye soldered or Crimped on or the wire WILL come off. Unless your using Number 1 12 gauge...Sunsystem does not.