parts list for odyssea 250W MH light??

[sk8shorty01]

Hello all,
I just recently was given a 2x250W Odyssea lighting fixture (with 260W actinics) that is not in working order and I was trying to get it fixed. At this point I have everything working other than the MH lights because I have found that the capacitor is blown. I am trying to find a part number so that I can order a new capacitor but I have had no luck. Do any of you all out there happen to have a parts list that you could look at and get the number off of? I am not sure if how I have described the light will be good enough to narrow down exactly which one I have. I was just given this light last night, I re-wired the actinics because the wiring was faulty and now I have nothing left to do other than replace the capacitor for the MH lights. Please let me know if there is any more information that I need to give you to help narrow down my search. Thanks a lot in advance!

 

[peckhead]

by capacitor do you mean ballast because they tend to suck on these fixtures

 

[sk8shorty01]

The capacitor is within the ballast. The ballast works other than the capacitor that is connected to the lead that runs the MH lights. I could take a picture when I get home to give you a better idea.

 

[codylowe]

You are better off just ordering new ballasts. Odyssea is known for their underpowered ballasts, also the older versions are considered a "fire hazard" - which is probably why the capacitors are blown.
I would look at Icecap or Coralvue ballasts (about $100 each).

 

[sk8shorty01]

This ballast has already been rewired for the firehazard reason. The capacitor overheated and blew, so that needs to be replaced. I will have all new wiring, and mostly new components inside the ballast, so it is almost not a Odyssea ballast anymore (considering I re-did a lot of the work). At this point it is kind of an odyssea housing with new internals. I understand that the icecap ballasts are very well respected, but with Christmas coming up I am trying not to spend very much money on myself. I might go ahead and get one after Christmas, but I believe right now that is out of the question.

 

[scsinet]

I've never seen the inside of the oddysea ballast units before, but usually, ballast sizes are standard for a particular wattage for all magnetic ballasts.
250w ballasts usually use a 15 microfarad, 400 volt capacitor. It should set you back about $15. You should be able to get it at any local electrical supply house.
BTW, if money is a question but you do want to consider electronic, consider Ballastwise. A 250w halide ballast is about $80 through them. A very reasonable price for a reasonable ballast.

 

[sk8shorty01]

Originally Posted by SCSInet
I've never seen the inside of the oddysea ballast units before, but usually, ballast sizes are standard for a particular wattage for all magnetic ballasts.
250w ballasts usually use a 15 microfarad, 400 volt capacitor. It should set you back about $15. You should be able to get it at any local electrical supply house.
BTW, if money is a question but you do want to consider electronic, consider Ballastwise. A 250w halide ballast is about $80 through them. A very reasonable price for a reasonable ballast.

Thank you very much for the info SCSInet, I was hoping you would see this thread eventually as I know you are much more "spec inclined" than I. I will check out these capacitors and see what I can find. Have a good one, I will let you know what I can figure out here in the next day or so.

 

[sk8shorty01]

I found the new capacitors at a local electronic repair shop so I am good to go now. I will be putting them in the ballast tonight. I bought 2, one to fix the burnt one, and the other to replace the other existing capacitor. The "factory" capacitors have a plastic housing, which is probably one reason they end up melting or shorting out, these new ones are all aluminum housed, and seem to be much better as far as construction purposes go. Thanks again for all of your help guys!