1. Cheap metal tool box
2. 30' 16/3 water resistant sow wire
3. 1 female receptacle - - type not 11
4. 1 male receptacle (must match female)
5. 1 regular male plug.
6. Wire grommet
7. Ballast for metal halide (100w 250w 400w 1000w)
8. metal halide bulb (100w 250w 400w 1000w)
9. mogul base for bulb

Start by drilling a 3/8" hole in one end of the toolbox. Then cut a 1 1/2" X 3" rectangular hole in the other end. Place the ballast in the center of the box and draw a bolt pattern for the 4 holes in the bottom of the ballast. Remove the ballast and drill the 4 holes with a 1/8" drill bit.

Now place the ballast back in the box and bolt it to the bottom leave 2 bolts loose for now. Take an 8" piece of wire, strip both ends and hook up the female receptacle. The receptacle is color coded, gold goes to the black wire and silver to white wire. Mount the receptacle on the toolbox. Looking at the ballast schematics, hook the black wire to its counter part (probably yellow) on the ballast. White to white. And be sure to use the ground wire between the toolbox and the ballast. Tighten that bolt.

Take 10' of wire and strip both ends put a regular 110 plug on one end. Run the other end through the hole. Place grommet on the wire and in the hole. Put about 12" in the box. Look at the schematics again. There are 2, 220 wires a common (white), and 1, 110 wire hook the common up, then hook the black wire to the 110 lead. Also hook the ground wire between the ballast and the box. Put wire nuts on all connections. Your ballast is ready.

Now take the male plug that matches your female receptacle and connect it to the 20' piece of wire you have left. Hook the mogul base to the other end. Put the bulb in and plug it into the toolbox. Now plug the other plug in the wall. There shall be light.

Hoods come in all shapes and sizes. I built mine because I had special requirements. Mine is made of .032" sheet metal and 1" angle iron. Its base dimensions are 12" X 20" and at a 2' height it throws a 2' x 4' light pattern. When you place a hood on this be sure and have support chains to hold it up. Don't use the electrical cord to hold its weight.

Note examples on pictures.

The reasons for the remote ballast vary. I put the ballast under the stand where my plants are. The heat from the ballast help out in the winter, it keeps the soil warmer. Some people move the ballast out of the plant room to keep the heat away from the plants (Closet growers).

Also, Buck says that if you want to run a 220 volt (which is more efficient), then all you have to do is “buy 16/4 and read the schematics. It's basically the same.” (note:JB)