Author Topic: Nema MV ballast wattage.  (Read 1776 times)
bucket175mv
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Nema MV ballast wattage. « on: July 19, 2015, 09:00:33 AM » Author: bucket175mv
Hi there.

I was at the metal scrap yard the other day and when I looked in the "dirty cast aluminum" bin and to my surprise I see a vintage Nema head sitting on top of the pile :)

The PC, bulb and lense have been smashed off but the main body, slipfitter, socket/ballast and smooth style reflector were intact and in good shape.

The fixtrue is dated from 1974 and the ballast is very rusty. My question is, how can I tell what wattage the ballast is? No lables or markings anywhere other than the date of manufacture.

I'm going to assume it's a 175w MV ballast as these seem to be the most common but it could be a 100w or maybe even a 250w perhaps?

I will post pics when I figure out how lol...
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Solanaceae
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Re: Nema MV ballast wattage. « Reply #1 on: July 19, 2015, 02:55:31 PM » Author: Solanaceae
It probably would be 175w but it could be 250 if the refractor is twelve inches across. The other problem is voltage. Is it single or quad tapped.
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Ash
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Re: Nema MV ballast wattage. « Reply #2 on: July 19, 2015, 04:03:11 PM » Author: Ash
Try 250W lamp, if it does not run up completely try 175 etc
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bucket175mv
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Re: Nema MV ballast wattage. « Reply #3 on: July 20, 2015, 08:35:01 AM » Author: bucket175mv
It probably would be 175w but it could be 250 if the refractor is twelve inches across. The other problem is voltage. Is it single or quad tapped.

I believe it's only wired for 120v as I only see two line in connecton points. I will try and post some pics.
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bucket175mv
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Re: Nema MV ballast wattage. « Reply #4 on: July 20, 2015, 08:39:40 AM » Author: bucket175mv
Try 250W lamp, if it does not run up completely try 175 etc
If I had a 250w MV lamp I would but only have 175w and 100w lamps. I did try a 175w clear ED lamp made by Globe  and it seemed to run up to full brightness.
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Ash
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Re: Nema MV ballast wattage. « Reply #5 on: July 20, 2015, 02:55:28 PM » Author: Ash
Can you measure amps in series with the lamp ?
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bucket175mv
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Re: Nema MV ballast wattage. « Reply #6 on: July 21, 2015, 08:38:01 AM » Author: bucket175mv
Can you measure amps in series with the lamp ?

I could do that. I have a good multimeter and how would you go about probing for current measurement tho?
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Ash
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Re: Nema MV ballast wattage. « Reply #7 on: July 21, 2015, 05:04:30 PM » Author: Ash
Nothing special, just wire it in series with the lamp....
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bucket175mv
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Re: Nema MV ballast wattage. « Reply #8 on: July 28, 2015, 09:54:06 AM » Author: bucket175mv
Nothing special, just wire it in series with the lamp....
Thanks Ash.

Used a multimeter many times on automotive DC electrical systems but never with home A/C current. The danger factor is a little intimidating at first.
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Ash
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Re: Nema MV ballast wattage. « Reply #9 on: July 28, 2015, 11:17:18 AM » Author: Ash
Wire it in up ahead, set to AC A, and dont touch while power is on

And use an appropriate multimeter, with the wires in the correct jacks ofcourse.....
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