[the496rocket]

Currently have 4 9x9 Econo 150s on my front deck but am contemplating adding 2 more, I am also going to be putting 2 150s in the back for the rear deck, however I dont have much weight in the back of my boat at all, and I am wondering if I should put the ones (6) that im going to have in the front in a ballast box to even the weight out. boat seems to be nose-diving with only 2 on the front deck. its 1 1748 mod-v.

I had 4 400w on the front before switching to these with a ballast box and the front was about 3-4 inches higher than it is now.

 

[carp31]

I have 10 x 150 HPS mounted now. I build 2 ballast boxes that have 6 each with caps so I can add two more lights later. Each box has a power in plug, two power out plugs, a DC cooling fan, a master switch, and then 3 more switches. The last 3 switches power 2 lights each. I put the boxes on the washboards on both sides of the stern. It was a pain, but totally worth the time. I can pm pics if you need em. :tu:

 

[the496rocket]

I know how I would build them I am just wondering if it is worth it for only 5 lights up front, cause I just spend a lot of time and money in 8 gauge wire to hook them up to. but the troller hits ground before the boat so maybe im good?

 

[ACC]

I know how I would build them I am just wondering if it is worth it for only 5 lights up front, cause I just spend a lot of time and money in 8 gauge wire to hook them up to. but the troller hits ground before the boat so maybe im good?

To me it was well worth it. I run a 1652 flat bottom with 4 hps 150's powered by a Honda 2000e. Moving the weight of the generator and the ballast to the rear of the boat raised the bow a good 2 inches plus it got the generator out of the way. The boat is used for flounder gigging so draft is extremely important. Also, I did not use 8 ga. wire. Just used 16 ga. extension cords to run from the ballast back in the back of the boat to the lights in front.

IIRC cost about $105-$115.
$40 for extension cords;
$20 for tool box;
$10 for connector/plugs to lights
$10 wall switched
$15 male plug ends
$10 five way splitter

 

[SuckerSchwacker21]

Built a ballast box with caps for my 6 HPS 150's on my 1648. Definitely glad I have the extra weight in the back of the boat and not in the front. Otherwise she would be pretty nose heavy. Ballast box is actually pretty easy to build also. Just takes time wiring it all together.

 

[brownc7]

The econolight's housing isn't very sturdy. A few potholes with the ballasts in the light housing and the thin aluminum begins to crack and eventually breaks. I had 7 econolight 150's and I made custom mounts for them and after breaking a couple, I decided a ballast box was the way to go. Its not hard...just take your time and don't get too frustrated. Its a lot of wires. Just my 2 cents...

 

[jg-32]

About how much weight would you have in the ballest box for 6 150's? I'm building a pontoon and wonder if it would be worth it for me to build one.

 

[brownc7]

About 40 pounds

 

[brownc7]

Those lights weigh 6.5 pounds apiece if I remember correctly....but after you gut the housing, all the weight will be in your ballast box....not in your aluminum and glass light housing...its a good idea to build a box.