[bnoel]

I use a 600 watt metal halide light for my backyard security. A tree branch fell and destroyed the light and fixture in the most recent storm. I ordered a new fixture and bulb and the connector was just different enough that it didn't fit in the ballast. I figured that i could just cut/splice the cables between the fixture and ballast and eliminate the connectors. Seemed simple enough. They both had the same gauge white, black, and green wires. I connected it with the correct wire nuts and also reinforced them with electrical tape. It did not work. I proceeded to put a meter on the cables coming out of the ballast (while it was plugged in of course.) I am getting 60v when I touch the green and white, 60v when i touch the green and black. I am getting a .82v reading when I touch the black and white. The ballast is 120v only. This is baffling to me and I am having a hard time believing that the ballast (which is insdie) has failed. I just feel like i am doing something wrong. Any insight? Thanks in advance.

 

[carpdad]

Sorry this is probably useless. I just put in HID projector headlights. During research, it came up that ballasts can fail. Only diagnosis seems to be exchange with good ballast and see if the light works.

 

[bnoel]

I appreciate the response carp. I just find it difficult to believe that the ballast failed at the same time. I had it on a timer so that it wasn't running during daylight hours, so when the accident happened, there was no power being sent to it. I have also bought 2 bulbs and tried both, so it is highly suspect that both lights could be bad.

 

[carpdad]

I just assume that things, new or old, can fail. Esp these days when relatively cheap means no quality control. Try HIDplanet. They seem to be enthusiasts there.