Outlets and voltage question

Im looking into buying one of those 600 watt 240/volt dual e ballasts. Im no electrician, but beacuse its 240volt, does this mean it has to be plugged into a 240volt outlet? Am i correct that the normal wall outlets here in southern california are standard 120volt?
in which case what would i need to do?

confused.....and thanks

Yes, the outlets in California are 120 volt. I don't know exactly what you need to do to convert it but for my money I would just buy the 120 volt version instead. I have a 120 volt Lumatek 600 watt eballast and it costs the same as the 240 volt version. If you could tell me exactly which ballast you're considering and how much it costs I might be able to give you better advice.

Its a dual ballast, thats why its 240.. its a better deal beacuse it cost 365 and its able to have 2 600 watt lights connected to it, whereas one 600 watt is 200-250$ its also a lumatek.

I do have a dryer plug in the vecinity (big weird lookin plug must be 240?) maybe i could get one of those splitters? I just wasnt sure if the regular outlets were 240 capable.

still confused.

I just had some electrical work done on my house and the 240 Voltage is one of those weird shaped outlets (one hole is vertical the other hole is horizontal) washing machines and dryers are hooked to these outlets. You would probably need to get someone in there to do the work. Not sure how much it would cost. Do not do it yourself because you can get shocked from a 120 volt and laugh about it, but a 240 volt could hurt you. Good Luck

I get it, you're talking about one of these:
Lumatek Dual E-ballast 600 watt 240v Digital HPS or MH - Grow Lights Hydroponics Reviews

You might need some type of plug adaptor for the dryer outlet. It is 240 volts though according to what I've read.

You might also be able to find a better deal on the single 600 watt ballast, if you're willing to risk using Ebay, like this:
Lumatek 600 watt Electronic Ballast MH HPS Grow Light - eBay (item 360104795279 end time Nov-10-08 14:52:06 PST)

hey great find.. you changed my mind...im gonna get 2 of the 120 volt and save the headache.

wait a minute...look at the connection on this ballast..its got a weird 3 prong thing...not like the picture from the company...maybe its foreighn and thats why so cheap?

Lumatek Dual E-ballast 600 watt 240v Digital HPS or MH - Grow Lights Hydroponics Reviews

I think you meant to post the link for the single 600 watt ballast. That's where you plug your light into the ballast, I think they changed it to prevent people from plugging ordinary lights into it. I had an old air cooled reflector and I had to change the cord on it so it would plug into this ballast.

Edit: It says the ballast plugs into a regular household outlet but I'd verify that it's the 120 volt ballast with the seller, sometimes Ebayers do weird things with descriptions. If you don't have a light already they have a good package deal with an air cooled reflector, bulb and the socket system for about $250. That's really cheap.

http://cgi.ebay.com/600-watt-MH-HPS-Lumatek-Grow-Light-Air-Cooled-Kit_W0QQitemZ360103355044QQihZ023QQcategoryZ42225QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

yea..i saw that.. Im fairly new to this indoor stuff, the package seems like a very good price for $250.. when buying and setting up your grow room (i want to have good quality equiptment) but what lingers in my mind is....
( " is a light a light and,a hood a hood?) I mean a basketball is a basketball right? being that it seems like such a good deal, is it bottom of the barrel stuff, you think? i know lumatek is great but dont know about the hood and the bulb?

I dont want to be suckered into poorly built products, but if a horse is a horse then a horse will do what a horse does...

I'm new to this too but I've done some research that's how I ended up buying the Lumatek and a Vortex fan. The bulb is likely the cheapest HPS bulb available. I'm guessing Philips or Sylvania but they're alright just not the most popular probably because the blue spectrum isn't enhanced and they won't last as long as the more popular ones. You could ask the seller for the brand name to make sure it's not some completely unknown brand. You're unlikely to find any 600 watt bulb for less than $35. I think the most important thing about reflectors is that they're air coolable and air can pass straight through them like this one rather than being blocked by odd angles within the reflector. The cheapest I've seen this one for is $90. It's also compatible with the Sun Leaves light lifters without having to drill holes in the reflector like I did. lol, I should work as a salesman for these guys.

thanks for the research.. i too am getting a vortex from ebay..
i found an 8'' vortex 774cfm for $205 free shipping. that is a great bargain.. so maybe i will get the ballast and the fan from ebayr, but buy the reflector and the bulb from the shop.

thanks again.

Yeah, if you get the reflector from there you'll have to pay $50 for shipping. Those things are heavy and bulky. If you can get it locally you could forgo that cost. I bought a used reflector similar to a cooltube but I found it a real hassle to put the bulb in. I had to undo screws and remove the housing for the socket.

I'm just setting up a 4' X 4' grow tent so I got the 6", 452 cfm Vortex. It was $168 CDN.