I was reading up on it and it says that it uses a 150w metal halide bulb. So, technically,
could I remove the ballast from the projector and use it with a different setup entirely?
Basically, I'm wondering if anyone's done this already and it's worked?
Full Version: Can I Use The Ballast From A Commercial Projector?
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A few people have done it. Jonjandran and a few others have been able to remove the ballast and use it in another setup.
In general it should be doable, but keep in mind that the specific projector you use may make a difference. Until you try you really don't know...unless, of course, someone else has done it with the same type of projector.
In general it should be doable, but keep in mind that the specific projector you use may make a difference. Until you try you really don't know...unless, of course, someone else has done it with the same type of projector.
QUOTE (phutton @ Oct 28 2007, 05:19 PM) 
A few people have done it. Jonjandran and a few others have been able to remove the ballast and use it in another setup.
In general it should be doable, but keep in mind that the specific projector you use may make a difference. Until you try you really don't know...unless, of course, someone else has done it with the same type of projector.
In general it should be doable, but keep in mind that the specific projector you use may make a difference. Until you try you really don't know...unless, of course, someone else has done it with the same type of projector.
Thanks for the info. I'll start ripping it apart. Guess I just need to find a 150w MH now
to see if I can get it to work.
OK, so here is the info you need to know if this ballast will power a regular MH bulb.
Look at the lamp it is designed for. Look into the arc. If both electrodes are the same size then the ballast puts out AC, which is what you can use for the regular MH lamps.
If one electrode is much fatter than the other, then the ballast puts out DC. This shouldn't (I didn't say can't) be used for the regular MH lamps. That is because the DC will eventually electrolyze some of the metal compound in the electrode and deposite them on the walls of the arc, weakening it over time. It probably will light the lamp but you significantly increase the risk of rupture, so if you want to try then make sure the lamp is enclosed.
since the ballast says MH, it probably has the correct starting voltage of 3k-4kV. It probably is current regulated. Should work. The voltage may be different because the Infocus lamps have a smaller electrode gap, thus decreasing driving voltage. But that should not be too much of a problem.
Let us know what the lamp electrode looks like.
Look at the lamp it is designed for. Look into the arc. If both electrodes are the same size then the ballast puts out AC, which is what you can use for the regular MH lamps.
If one electrode is much fatter than the other, then the ballast puts out DC. This shouldn't (I didn't say can't) be used for the regular MH lamps. That is because the DC will eventually electrolyze some of the metal compound in the electrode and deposite them on the walls of the arc, weakening it over time. It probably will light the lamp but you significantly increase the risk of rupture, so if you want to try then make sure the lamp is enclosed.
since the ballast says MH, it probably has the correct starting voltage of 3k-4kV. It probably is current regulated. Should work. The voltage may be different because the Infocus lamps have a smaller electrode gap, thus decreasing driving voltage. But that should not be too much of a problem.
Let us know what the lamp electrode looks like.
QUOTE (phutton @ Oct 31 2007, 09:21 AM)
OK, so here is the info you need to know if this ballast will power a regular MH bulb.
Look at the lamp it is designed for. Look into the arc. If both electrodes are the same size then the ballast puts out AC, which is what you can use for the regular MH lamps.
If one electrode is much fatter than the other, then the ballast puts out DC. This shouldn't (I didn't say can't) be used for the regular MH lamps. That is because the DC will eventually electrolyze some of the metal compound in the electrode and deposite them on the walls of the arc, weakening it over time. It probably will light the lamp but you significantly increase the risk of rupture, so if you want to try then make sure the lamp is enclosed.
since the ballast says MH, it probably has the correct starting voltage of 3k-4kV. It probably is current regulated. Should work. The voltage may be different because the Infocus lamps have a smaller electrode gap, thus decreasing driving voltage. But that should not be too much of a problem.
Let us know what the lamp electrode looks like.
Look at the lamp it is designed for. Look into the arc. If both electrodes are the same size then the ballast puts out AC, which is what you can use for the regular MH lamps.
If one electrode is much fatter than the other, then the ballast puts out DC. This shouldn't (I didn't say can't) be used for the regular MH lamps. That is because the DC will eventually electrolyze some of the metal compound in the electrode and deposite them on the walls of the arc, weakening it over time. It probably will light the lamp but you significantly increase the risk of rupture, so if you want to try then make sure the lamp is enclosed.
since the ballast says MH, it probably has the correct starting voltage of 3k-4kV. It probably is current regulated. Should work. The voltage may be different because the Infocus lamps have a smaller electrode gap, thus decreasing driving voltage. But that should not be too much of a problem.
Let us know what the lamp electrode looks like.
Thanks. Gonna take it apart this weekend.
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