I was on a walk today and I happened to see at least 20 1000 watt HID ballasts by someone's front porch. The person who owned the house was outside and I asked if I could have the ballasts and this person had the audacity to tell me I couldn't because there was a "chemical" on them and they were "broken" but that "chemical" was the varnish and the ballasts are no more than 20 years old! I about yelled at them because they had the audacity to say that. 

Comment away!

I would love to have a 1000 watt ballast but I can't find them or like with this instance, I find a whole lot of them but I can't have them because the person thinks they pose a health hazard that is not there. Can you guys please help me find 1000 watt ballasts?

Understanding how do you feel, remember major people are just dont want liability for any happend to you. (Your parent could sue them)

Ballast might not contain any toxic things but still if you look like younger less than 20 yrs old. Almost many people will not risk giving you something potentially injury yourself. If you be polite and talk softly like pro to stranger they probably will try work with you.

The 1000w ballast still fairly many around for sale but rarely give away for free. Because it contains lot copper.

Hmmmm. At the end of the day, the owner has the right to do what they want with their own property, so I don't see you have any comeback. Put it behind you and move on, it's not worth getting angry over.

Understanding how do you feel, remember major people are just dont want liability for any happend to you. (Your parent could sue them)

Ballast might not contain any toxic things but still if you look like younger less than 20 yrs old. Almost many people will not risk giving you something potentially injury yourself. If you be polite and talk softly like pro to stranger they probably will try work with you.

The 1000w ballast still fairly many around for sale but rarely give away for free. Because it contains lot copper.

I tried to tell them that it was just varnish but they went back inside without answering me.

Hmmmm. At the end of the day, the owner has the right to do what they want with their own property, so I don't see you have any comeback. Put it behind you and move on, it's not worth getting angry over.

Understandable. The problem was is that they were rude to me from the beginning.

I get where you're coming from, but that's how some people are, sadly. I used to get upset at all sorts of things when I was your age, now I'm somewhat older I like to think I've mellowed a bit, although I do still feel the need to issue a few  now and then 

I tried to tell them that it was just varnish but they went back inside without answering me.

Just let him go, he probably not nice person...Just don't hold your angry it will never wins. But you can wins other day! Just keep looking elsewhere and you might find the best moments.

I get where you're coming from, but that's how some people are, sadly. I used to get upset at all sorts of things when I was your age, now I'm somewhat older I like to think I've mellowed a bit, although I do still feel the need to issue a few  now and then 

Hey, at least they will be in the dumpster soon so I can dig them all out.   

Just let him go, he probably not nice person...Just don't hold your angry it will never wins. But you can wins other day! Just keep looking elsewhere and you might find the best moments.

They should be in the dumpster soon so that's good, I can dig them out!

They should be in the dumpster soon so that's good, I can dig them out!

Sure you can, just careful if its same guy seeing you again they might call police. Some cities have strictly ordinance about dump diving can be illegal and could fined or prison time for short. Know what's in your area and avoid troubles.

Sure you can, just careful if its same guy seeing you again they might call police. Some cities have strictly ordinance about dump diving can be illegal and could fined or prison time for short. Know what's in your area and avoid troubles.

It's at my grandma's mobile home park and nobody cares if you dig in the dumpster and besides, I am sneaky about it. 

If dumpster owned by mobile home park landlord so it probably don't care what you doing with garbage stuffs but only all you need to wait for rude dude throw ballast in dumpster then walk away then you can grab it easy.

But there small chance rude dude might want recycled the metal copper for money so you get nothing but some of can of PCB or non PCB capacitors.

If dumpster owned by mobile home park landlord so it probably don't care what you doing with garbage stuffs but only all you need to wait for rude dude throw ballast in dumpster then walk away then you can grab it easy.

But there small chance rude dude might want recycled the metal copper for money so you get nothing but some of can of PCB or non PCB capacitors.

I will just have to see.

I would think the owners would scrap the ballasts to get some money out of them instead of throwing them in a dumpster.

Wth copper nearing 5 dollars a pound
 A 1 KW ballast will  have 6 to 10 pounds
 Of copper in them.  So yes it going make it
 Much harder to find ballast. 

  I can see those mercury ballast been sitting for high price for years ended up gettng scrapped out.