changing ballast

[Jimmy Buffett]

I'm looking at a ballast for my wallpack lights. I have never changed 1 of these before and there are a whole lot of wires and none of them are color coded like I'm used to on the flourescents. Many of you may know that I am electrically challanged! Why so many wires and what do I need to be careful of changing this thing?
Thanks

 

[MEP001]

It's probably a multi-tap ballast with a lot of extra wires for input voltages. They're labeled rather than color-coded, and replacing it is pretty straightforward. You can clean it up a bit by trimming short all the extra voltage wires you won't use and capping them with wire nuts.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

While we're on this subject. I have some Lithonia 175W wall packs that I want to change to 250W. I'm assuming that this is the ballast I need

http://www.1000bulbs.com/250-Watt-Metal-Halide-Ballast/32971/

But I also see this one

http://www.1000bulbs.com/250-Watt-Metal-Halide-5-Tap-Ballast/32969/

It looks like the one offers a 480V that I don't need. Is the 4 tap the correct one?

 

[MEP001]

It does appear to be the same, except the 480V tap and an extra $4 for the second one.

 

[vinh]

since we talking about ballast. I about to replace a ballast kit and wondering if there is a difference in dry capacitor or oil-filled capacitor. I have a new kit with a dry capacitor for 320W metal halide PS but the original is oil-filled capicator (21 mfd). Anyone know the plus or minus of the dry capacitor and if it really matters in this situation.

 

[MEP001]

I ordered replacement capacitors for Scottsdales through 1000bulbs.com, and they were oil-filled (The original ones were dry). I'm hoping the oil-filled will last longer, since after about 18 months the light output gets very weak and a new bulb alone won't make them bright again. I've only had them in a few months, so as far as longevity is concerned I'll need more time. They do work the same, though.

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

I replaced the bulb the ballast and the capacitor (I guess that is what that was). The light did finally come on but is still dim. Is there something that I might have done wrong to make this light "sort of" work? It's the light by my changer and vending so it's the most important light in the place.
On a lighter note we have had an absolutley beautiful weekend for the first time in a LONGGGGG time and have been washing cars as fast as we can all weekend!

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

... and now it's out completely.

 

[MEP001]

Either you had a bad component or something was the wrong type. The bulbs and ballasts must be the exact same type and wattage.

 

[Ric]

I ordered replacement capacitors for Scottsdales through 1000bulbs.com, and they were oil-filled (The original ones were dry). I'm hoping the oil-filled will last longer, since after about 18 months the light output gets very weak and a new bulb alone won't make them bright again. I've only had them in a few months, so as far as longevity is concerned I'll need more time. They do work the same, though.

What was the part # from 1000bulbs.com?

 

[MEP001]

It's a Magnetek, there are two numbers on it, 058-52-23223 and 005-1419-MF