I have an elusive 50w MV ballast by advance. I've been debating whether to use it or preserve it. I came to the decision to install and use it somewhere, since I might as well enjoy the pleasures of life instead of letting it rot away in its cardboard prison cell.
My ideas were...
Homemade MV post top lite (the ones I see are craptastic ones with plastic lids).
Buy a 70w HPS yardblaster and replace it with 50w MV gear.
Buy a HPS wallpack and replace it with 50w gear.
What are your thoughts or ideas, LG?

Buy a cooper OVC and use that

I'd go with wallpack (if they are good quality), cobrahead, indoors recessed can, or remote gear (in the garage etc for a light outside)

I would make a recessed can or miniature highbay.

You could mount the ballast in an appropriately sized electrical box and wire it to a standard recessed can light that has trim for a standard A19 lamp (built-in reflector), similar in size to the 50W MV lamp, and rated for damp locations.  The can could be installed in an outdoor location like a roof overhang and be wired to a photocell for dusk-to-dawn operation.  Anyway, it's a novel way to light up an area on the outside of the house.

Matt

Update: I put it into a floodlight that was originally for 100w MV cram Ed 17 minibulbs. The ballast and bulb fit perfectly so the optics aren't screwed up.

Update: I put it into a floodlight that was originally for 100w MV cram Ed 17 minibulbs. The ballast and bulb fit perfectly so the optics aren't screwed up.

Hey that's pretty cool. Did you have a pic of this constructed fixture? I'm currently building a custom Regent patio lantern with a 50 watt MV bulb and 35/39 watt MH magnetic ballast.