Hey guys...
just got my 600W (240V) lumatek and it says that you must not connect a neutral wire to the ballast.
it says connect two "hot" wires and an earth...
does this mean i connect both the 'black' and 'red' wires to the live connection!?
if anyone has experienced this issue and can help me, advice will be much appretiated.
shot guys....

Howdy, well I guess it's time to start posting somewhere so here we go. *Disclamer time: I am not an electrition, so anything said here should be checked out as I am not liable for any problems that might come up, take care working with electronics they will kill you. ** End Disclamer**

OK So like in any or should I say very commonly in light switches or Plug wiring in houses receptacle boxes you have 3 wires for the grounded ones. You Usually have a Black wire, A white wire, and a green wire sometimes the green wire may be just bare copper with a light clear coating on it to protect it from corrosion.

The Black and White wires are your 2 HOT wires + and - Power signals the - or negative IS NOT THE EARTH! The green wire or bare copper wire is the earth wire which shields and grounds the receptacle so you dont get your balls blown off if there was a short somewhere.

In your case I would take a very educated guess and say that yes the BLACK and RED wires will be your "HOT" wires IE Positive and negative power and they connect to the live connections. You should have usually commonly a green wire sometimes different color for blalsts and light shields left over that wire will be your "EARTH" the one that would connnect to the chassis of the ballast or the lights hood on the other end, or somthing labled "EARTH CONNECTION" This is what the round pole pin in the grounded cords or appliances dose.

Well I hope that was clear enough to get you on your way but if not Just give me a shout and will try my best to clear it up a little more for you.

Cheers,

FC.

2 hots and a ground .... thats all 220 is. (120 = 1 hot 2 grounds) all netural wires 120 really lug to the ground lug in the pannel

__________________
Go Medicate Yourself..... Then we will Talk

Shot man.....
you guys rock!that puts my mind at ease!now i know i aint gonna blow the damn thing.
and thanx for the electrical descrition.very insightful!
happy growing

Where you at in the world?

In the US the neutral wire is tied to ground in the main box.

But since its a 240V, 2 hots and a ground sounds about right.
Got a 240/220 outlet in your room? If not, install a 220 breaker and run the wires.

__________________
The Temporary Relief Assistant Trailer Park Supervisor. Carmelisous Jornl :: ElecUsageCostsCalc (now with carbon footprint) :: FloroTubeCompendium ::

When I started reading this thread I thought this guy needs to ask BigBudBalls this question. Low and behold there you are! I read your replies but you talk rings around me about stuff I know little about. Glad we have you on our side keep up the good work.

__________________
OVERGROW AMERICA

i live in south africa man!!
3rd world growing man....
all outlets in houses in SA are 240V sockets.....
we have our advantages tho man...Thanx again guys for the help.
the ballast is rewired and working like a dream...we'll see in time if it pays itself off!!!thanx again everyone for the hastey responses..
keep it green..

Ah! You will LOVE the light. 600W is a *great* light.
Congrats and grow fat budz!

__________________
The Temporary Relief Assistant Trailer Park Supervisor. Carmelisous Jornl :: ElecUsageCostsCalc (now with carbon footprint) :: FloroTubeCompendium ::

Whats up bra! Im also from south africa, cpt! We not that bad, got a few grow shops. Where in south africa you from?

Just so there is less confusion... You are using AC(Alternating Current) power so that means there is no - (negative) or +(positive) wires. there is only "Hot", "Neutral" and "Ground".

If you were using DC power (Direct Current) then there is + and - but those terms cannot be used in conjunction with AC.


AC current has no + or - because it is actually both, at the same time. It alternates between +120v and -120v in a sine wave pattern at 60 Khz ( this is in the States ).

Just an FYI, I thought your post was informative and sounds correct, just wrong terminology used and I just want to eliminate any confusion!! +rep

__________________
It is far easier to ignorantly control others than it is to wisely control yourself.