Use a piece of metal instead, to act as a heat-sink. The WH3 will take 2+ hours to heat up to 38C in an open-air environment.

As far as I know, the 18w can burn base down to horizontal, never base up. When you get the cases from home-depot, Philips will likely have burning instructions or a diagram on lamp cartons or the case itself.

It's also important to remember not to move the lamp during or after operation. The liquid sodium can easily slosh into the emitter-burners which can be fatal. Let it cool for half an hour before moving.

I might use a piece of wood, however mounting the ballast slightly elevated off the wood to allow airflow around it? Unless I can get a piece of metal.

I looked online and a WH3-120-L isn't too expensive.

I did not know that you should allow the lamps to cool before moving them. Thanks for letting me know.

WH3's in my watch list:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/282114309194 (used)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/361587169787 (used)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/223466758231
https://www.ebay.com/itm/223268977440

WH3's in my watch list:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/282114309194 (used)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/361587169787 (used)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/223466758231
https://www.ebay.com/itm/223268977440

Amazon has one for like $20 with free one day shipping. I'll probably go that route.

Ok I just received my Fulham Workhorse WH3-120-L ballast today. I am still waiting for the Leviton bayonet socket I ordered. So how exactly will I wire this ballast to the socket when I receive it? One side of the ballast has 1 white and 1 black wire. I'm assuming power coming in. The other side has 2 red and 1 yellow wires. There is no green for ground. I plan on splicing the ballast to an orange extension cord.

One side of ballast:
Black <=> 120volts Hot
White <=> common
Must ground the ballast aluminum case.

Other side of ballast (for 18w SOX):
Both Red wires <=> black socket
Single Yellow wire <=> white socket
ground any metal part to ground of ballast case, but the Leviton socket might not have a metal part. Ground the socket when mounting on a fixture via mounting screws.

One side of ballast:
Black <=> 120volts Hot
White <=> common
Must ground the ballast aluminum case.

Other side of ballast (for 18w SOX):
Both Red wires <=> black socket
Single Yellow wire <=> white socket
ground any metal part to ground of ballast case, but the Leviton socket might not have a metal part. Ground the socket when mounting on a fixture via mounting screws.

Hmm according to the photo in the listing for the socket both wires are white. Here's the eBay item number for the socket.

361617639569

I forgot it doesn't matter for LPS. Either wire to 2red and the yellow to the other socket wire.

I forgot it doesn't matter for LPS. Either wire to 2red and the yellow to the other socket wire.

Ok thanks. I'll upload pics when I get the socket and get it all wired up

As far as I know, the 18w can burn base down to horizontal, never base up. When you get the cases from home-depot, Philips will likely have burning instructions or a diagram on lamp cartons or the case itself.

Base up to horizontal and never base down. At base down, the liquid sodium accumulative at the ends of the tubes near the electrodes, and attacks the seals, causing cracking.

I mean base up = ┴ (socket with lamp up), and base down = ┬ (socket with lamp down), but I can only speak for myself.

We should be sayng "LAMP UP" or "LAMP DOWN" instead.

Ok so I will make a base that will have the lamp be horizontal.

Hi , I know of a HPf 18w SOX ballast you can get online. Last one available and going for $79 US plus ship. Seller does accept offers. If interested please PM me for link. I got one myself and its on the way now

Hi , I know of a HPf 18w SOX ballast you can get online. Last one available and going for $79 US plus ship. Seller does accept offers. If interested please PM me for link. I got one myself and its on the way now

Saw it, last one. There were 4 left last week. Thought of making a grab for it but it's just NOT WORTH IT. You can buy a similar HPF ballast (I think) with a nice wallpack here. When you get your ballast, let me know the consumption if you have a lamp and a watt meter.

I thought that was a good deal and i had to pay CAD to US which kinda ruined it for me but since you guys are in the US it is a steal. Unlike those ebay ads wanting like 250 + each lol

I seen that wall pack you shared. I passed as I just put together a very similar glass wallpack for my 18w SOX, just needed a real ballast, that crappy one from the gold eye was just terrible


**Edit: Lights plus I just realized you are in Canada, my apologies , this would be a worse deal for you too as it was for me due to the crap conversion rates

Honestly though, 79 US for a new old stock SOX18 ballast is the best youre gonna get. Everyone else wants hundreds for a piece of metal that will be scrap in a few years because Philips just pulled the plug on orders for SOX. If the OP is interested I'll link him to the ballast, its his best option if he wants a real ballast. The fixture is a deal for sure, if you have lamps to spare and need a fixture