What are the dimensions of the average VHO ballast?
Don’t know about the size in America but here in Switzerland a rapid- start ballast for one F96T12 VHO (215W) is quite large and heavy. Such ballast is about 610mm long and about 60mm wide/ high.
Keep in mind that we use here the two phase 380-400V mains. For a better power factor two serial capacitors needs to be added into the lamp circuit.