The retrokit MH's and even the lights from AHSupply are still amazingly expensive when the cash is Canadian! So I am thinking of trying DIY Metal Halides. I have searched the net and have found some wiring diagrams and "how-to's" so I am not completely hopeless. My plan is to eventually create a 175 or 250 MH ballast(with socket) and save some cash for a nice reflector.
http://home.earthlink.net/~hilldfe21/plans/ballast/ballast.html
According to that page, all I am dealing with is a transformer and capacitor to wire an MH ballast. The page even gives a brief summary of what the things inside are.
My question is: Does anyone know where to get MH transformers and capacitators for cheap? Preferrable if the company is in Canada, but list any good ones. I will probably be looking for a matching socket as well if there are none in my area. My HomeDepot does not have any of these and the Hydroponics store is pretty expensive.
I will be doing more research but any help would be nice. If anyone has any experience in this, please tell!
http://home.earthlink.net/~hilldfe21/plans/ballast/ballast.html
According to that page, all I am dealing with is a transformer and capacitor to wire an MH ballast. The page even gives a brief summary of what the things inside are.
My question is: Does anyone know where to get MH transformers and capacitators for cheap? Preferrable if the company is in Canada, but list any good ones. I will probably be looking for a matching socket as well if there are none in my area. My HomeDepot does not have any of these and the Hydroponics store is pretty expensive.
I will be doing more research but any help would be nice. If anyone has any experience in this, please tell!