GE M250: Conversion.
This lantern which I imported from the states was geared for 200w sodium lamps and had a great big open core transformer style ballast for a 480v supply.

I have built up a little geartray with the same mounting holes as the original ballast so it just drops right in.
The original fasteners were self-tappers so I took the liberty of tapping them for proper M5 machine screws.
Unfortunately the only spare 250w MBF ballast I have was this Chinese VS knock-off for 220v so I’ll have to get a proper 240v to replace this in the future. 
Strange mixture of US and EU wiring!

*EDIT* Photo replaced with nice new Parmar 240v ballast.

GE M250: Conversion.

This lantern which I imported from the states was geared for 200w sodium lamps and had a great big open core transformer style ballast for a 480v supply.

I have built up a little geartray with the same mounting holes as the original ballast so it just drops right in.
The original fasteners were self-tappers so I took the liberty of tapping them for proper M5 machine screws.
Unfortunately the only spare 250w MBF ballast I have was this Chinese VS knock-off for 220v so I’ll have to get a proper 240v to replace this in the future.
Strange mixture of US and EU wiring!

*EDIT* Photo replaced with nice new Parmar 240v ballast.

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Album name:FrontSideBus / Lanterns & Fittings
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Date added:24 Nov, 2019
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Comment 1 to 12 of 12
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AngryHorse   [25 Nov, 2019 at 07:43 AM]
As long as it works Cool
FrontSideBus   [25 Nov, 2019 at 02:44 PM]
Runs at about 340w on my 250v mains lol... New ballast required I think lol.
Ash   [25 Nov, 2019 at 08:39 PM]
Compare the winding resistance with a known manufacturer's ballast
fluorescent   [25 Nov, 2019 at 08:55 PM]
"Germany Technology" lol
Ash   [25 Nov, 2019 at 09:29 PM]
I have a Chinese metal can 400W ignitor. Some sticker brand, nothing remarkable. In the bottom of the etch there is a small "eoo" symbol with lightning, resembling "ebo" symbol in the same location on some VS ignitors. The Chinise-san apparently thought it is some standard compliance symbol that gotta be copied (ie. faked). In fact it is the symbol of Elektrobau Oschatz, the company that makes the ignitors in Germany (which is owned by VS)
FrontSideBus   [29 Nov, 2019 at 12:06 PM]
File updated. Got a nice 240v Parmar choke in there now. It's absolutely massive!!! I had to modify the mounting holes in my geartray as the ones I originally did which I expected to fit a multitude of different ballsts were not suitable! It's not far off the size of a 400w SON choke lol.
Danny   [29 Nov, 2019 at 01:40 PM]
Looks good!
FrontSideBus   [29 Nov, 2019 at 07:18 PM]
Cheers. I wish I could use this somewhere lol
jonny-m   [29 Nov, 2019 at 08:29 PM]
Great work mark. You do what I do I always replace the standard self tappers with stainless machine screws. It has to be done lol.
FrontSideBus   [29 Nov, 2019 at 09:25 PM]
I snapped a tap as I didn't drill one hole out to full depth by mistake! Embarrassed I've got a bag full of various threaded brass inserts that you can press into plastic bodies and the like.
jonny-m   [29 Nov, 2019 at 10:27 PM]
I e seen the threaded inserts. I was going to use a few on a trac floodlight but just used some oversized self tapper screws as it was put into use on my mates garage/body shop. It’s done nightly service for a few year now. Fitted with anti cycling son/mh gear from a scrap gamma 6 and it’s currently fitted with a Philips 70w cdo-tt lamp.
FrontSideBus   [30 Nov, 2019 at 01:58 AM]
I've got one of those floods with a 42w PL-T in it but I'm tempted to Cosmo it or something.

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