I looked all over eBay and can't find a proper 50 watt mercury vapor ballast. What would be the best alternative way to power a 50 watt mercury vapor lamp? (No wimpy F40T12 ballasts either)

50 watt ballast do show up now and then

How ever there a few ways to power them
using 39 watt MH ballast to power them
with out a ignitor.  or use a European 58 watt
fluorescent choke on 240 volts.

those F40 Fluorescent ballast wont cut it
cause it 430 mA and mercury lamp need at least
630 mA to run.

For the F58T8 fluorescent choke option, would it work running on 240v 60hz instead of 50hz? Also, are 120v 60hz to 240v 60hz step up transformers available?

Yes  you will need a step up transformer. and I have  found transformers at restores.  mine Is a radio shack
transformer powered backwards with a GFCI protected
suicide cord from old hair dryer cord.  and i cut EU plug
off transformer input to a Terminal block.  that transformer been powering my 8 foot pop pack
from UK.  how ever any ballast design with 50 hz and
have a leading capaciitor.  like my 8 foot pop pack does
it will need a reduce cap value change cause current will rise on 60 Hz due leading cap.  how ever just running a 50 Hz choke on 60 Hz is no probems.  it runing 60 Hz to
50 Hz what satuated them. my new home will have 240 volt 15 amp outlet for expeirments and 240 volt plug in lighting circuit.  since power conpany gives you 240/120
volt coming into the homes anyway.

One more question: Would a UK 6 foot 70 watt T8 choke work to power 75 watt mercury vapor lamps?

search 1010-236-c-tc  on eBay the seller has 3 of them for $55 obo they are 120/277 and in a florescent ballast case I'm going to get one eventually but not 3, hope this helps!

search 1010-236-c-tc  on eBay the seller has 3 of them for $55 obo they are 120/277 and in a florescent ballast case I'm going to get one eventually but not 3, hope this helps!

Thank you so much!

I just ordered one of those eBay ballasts today seller accepted $40.00 offer + free shipping in US

I just ordered one of those eBay ballasts today seller accepted $40.00 offer + free shipping in US

Well at least it went to a fellow collector. They were down to the last ballast and I just bought it. Sorry to any other people that might have wanted it.

glad you got one IDK who got the other, Hopefully it was one of us

glad you got one IDK who got the other, Hopefully it was one of us

Hopefully it was someone who knows how to actually use it.

exactly my thought!