MH fixtures

[SeanyG]

has anyone tried to use a DE MH bulb in a say halogen fixture for the outside?

These fixtures are much cheeper. Once I get some Money I would love to try it out but if there is any info on the subject that would be helpful!

Thanks

[premiumaquatics]

You probably would have to contact the bulb manufacture, because good chance that could void your warranty on the bulb. DE bulbs will arc on the ends if they are not properly installed into the sockets.

[Luke33]

Not to mention the bulb wouldn't fire without a ballast to ignite it.

[SeanyG]

So I went and found some info. DE bulbs will work in those fixtures however the ballest is required to give a correct amount of wattage through the bulb. Without one of these the bulb may burn up, out, break, or not light, some places even suggested a strobe effect. That would be scary for the fish, a strobe light on a tank. wow!

So I caame to a dead end on that venture.

Thanks!

[hllywd]

Not sure why you cnsider it a dead end... You found the info you were looking for but you need to take the DIY a little further. You will need a ballast and maybe a housing for it depending on what you find. There are a lot of threads on RC chronicalling members' DIYs.

Tim

[Blackacid]

I made myself a 70w MH light using a halogen worklight and a cheap ballast that I bought on ebay. Not the greatest thing in the world and it tends to focus the light on one spot.... but it works.

[SeanyG]

Sorry about the dead end comment. I was looking for that mtyh behind the question. haha, Does anyone know where to find empty light fixtures, like a bare aluminium housing that has been power coated? I was looking for days on the subject and couldnt find very much about it.

Thanks!

[hllywd]

Actually in the threads I've read, most people just purchase a halogen fixture and modify it to their purpose. Basically it's a matter of finding one with a reflector that will give a pattern you like, installing your choice of DE bulb and my understanding is it's a direct fit, then wiring it to the appropriate ballast of your choice. I've never done it and suggest looking on RC in the DIY forum for more complete info. It seems a lot of people are pretty happy with their DIY lights.

Tim