There is a place online where you can get a 4 bulb 440watt vho setup including bulbs, electronic ballast, endcaps, wiring, and shipping all for about $225.00. I'll email you if you are interested.
Here is a link to the HelloLights retro kit I have. I posted part of the description clearly stating it is an in series setup.
<a href="http://www.hellolights.com/vhoretrokits.html" target="_blank">http://www.hellolights.com/vhoretrokits.html</a>
Each VHO ballast can power up to 440 watts of...
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I've thought about that (bulb life) a lot but the information does mesh. Hamilton really has no vested interest in stating the same bulb life information since they don't manufacture VHO bulbs. I would even think they would have more to gain by saying the bulbs last longer than 6 months...
"you say it will not work correctly because it is not rated at 220 watts....well it is a matter of opinion"
No it is a matter of fact, not opinion. Look this is what Hamilton and URI told me. Like I said, if you have a problem with the information then take it up with them. I'm fairly certain...
Not exactly, the guys at URI and Hamilton said it would work for 4 to 6 months if, and only if, the wattage of the ballast was rated at a at 220watts. The ballast in question is rated at 160 watts. So it (according to URI and Hamilton) would be effective for an even shorter period than 4 to 6...
A dual ballast 175MH setup with reflector and socket will be $282.50 with 5500K bulbs or $350.80 with 10000K bulbs. These include ballasts, mirror finish reflector, bulbs, and sockets.
Just spoke with a rep from URI. He said that the bulbs will not work on ANYTHING less than a 1500ma ballast without diminished output including the Hamilton 800ma. He told me the EXACT same thing that the Hamilton rep did. Unless the the ballast is rated for 220 watts the 980ma ballast will...
Since some of you seem to be into conspiracy theories, perhaps Hamilton is selling a HO ballast for use with VHO but just stepping up the wattage to jerry rig a VHO setup. I don't believe it myself but it's no further a reach then what some of you are saying.
The Hamilton rep also said that with an 800ma ballast it will run the bulbs at VHO quality effectively BUT only for a maximum of 4 to 6 months before an noticeable decrease in lamp output. He also said the 4 to 6 month rule was only possible if the total lamp wattage DID NOT exceed the wattage...
Lie #2: Assembled Hamilton ballast does NOT included endcaps and all. It includes power cord an lamp cord. No endcaps, reflectors, etc.
I just got off the phone with Hamilton and they stated that YES THE 800ma BALLAST IS A 220 WATT BALLAST. ANYTHING RUN ABOVE THE WATTAGE RESTRICTION WILL CAUSE...