I am considering mounting positions and shielding for the electronic ballast. I like the idea of mounting it vertically on the back wall positioned in the corner. Unfortunately, this position is not the greatest as far as cooling the ballast. My fan is mounted already in the back opposite corner low. So I had the thought of completely shielding it in the corner with a double dose of aluminum flashing, of course, allowing an openning for the wires into the light box.

To cool the ballast "compartment", I was thinking of some natural convection with an opening towards the bottom and then one in the top. Since this "compartment" is isolated from the light box there shouldn't be a problem with light escaping through the cooling holes.

I like the idea of isolating/shielding the ballast entirely from the light box. Mounting it vertically is a convenient position and is good for cooling with natural convection. I could always add a small fan later to suck air out the top.

I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on keeping the ballast cool and not in the direct path of the fan?

Excuse my cave drawings below.

Thanks for any input,
lawman

top view
______________________________
| | | Ballast in this corner mounted vertically with
|== double flashing enclosure away from light box.
| /
| C lamp
| \
|__
| | Fan in this lower corner.
|_|___________________________

PS. Do you know how aluminum foil doesn't get hot in the oven. Would that help insulate the ballast from the heat of the lamp?

I mounted mine on the outside rear of my box. There is no fan or other encasement.

The heat sink casing around the electronic ballast gets as hot as 102 F, then stabilizes. It is too hot to comfortably touch, but it won't burn you.

This kept my light chamber almost completely empty, except for an attic thermostat and the reflector/bulb itself. It also reduces the heat sources inside the box.

The wires go in via the power cord hole. There are no exposed wires on the exterior in this configuration.

Yeah I thought about that, but felt it would be a shame to make the outside dimensions bigger with all the room that is available inside the box. If I can keep the electronic ballast temp down around your measurement of 102 F degrees and inside the box....