Magnetic ballast heat

[soap1964]

Hello everyone,

im new to this community. I found answers in some threads but i wanna ask again cuz they are a bit old. My magnetic ballast produces a lot of heat (i cant keep my hand on it for more than 2 seconds). Is this normal? Am i paranoid?

thanks

 

[soap1964]

***I have eti ballast 250w for 250w hps

 

[Renfro]

They make heat for sure. This is why many growers opt to locate the ballast outside of the grow space and use a fan to cool their ballasts so they will last longer.

 

[soap1964]

They make heat for sure. This is why many growers opt to locate the ballast outside of the grow space and use a fan to cool their ballasts so they will last longer.

thanks! i will try that

 

[Renfro]

thanks! i will try that

You are most welcome. Hope you enjoy our forum, it's a great place to learn.

 

[soap1964]

You are most welcome. Hope you enjoy our forum, it's a great place to learn.

Since i grow autos can i interrupt the lights when are on for half an hour off so the ballast has some time to cool down or this will stresss my plants?

 

[Herb & Suds]

Since i grow autos can i interrupt the lights when are on for half an hour off so the ballast has some time to cool down or this will stresss my plants?

You'll be fine

 

[getogrow]

Since i grow autos can i interrupt the lights when are on for half an hour off so the ballast has some time to cool down or this will stresss my plants?

If your just going to interupt it for long enough to move it then your fine. You cannot do this often. just this once to move it. It wont hurt the girls.

 

[soap1964]

thanks a lot! lets see how this goes

 

[Renfro]

Since i grow autos can i interrupt the lights when are on for half an hour off so the ballast has some time to cool down or this will stresss my plants?

I wouldn't dick with it. The ballast is designed to handle the heat for many years. Firing the bulb on more often degrades its life faster for one thing.

 

[getogrow]

I wouldn't dick with it. The ballast is designed to handle the heat for many years. Firing the bulb on more often degrades its life faster for one thing.

im pretty sure he just wants to cut it off long enough to move it one time. (hes following your advice an getting the heat out of the grow area)

 

[soap1964]

im pretty sure he just wants to cut it off long enough to move it one time. (hes following your advice an getting the heat out of the grow area)

nope, the ballast is already out of grow tent, next to it on a table. i wanted to interrupt the light cycle everyday for half an hour so i can cooldown. but now i know that it isnt a good idea. so i will leave it as is for now (on a brick) and then i maybe will add a pc fan on it. peace

 

[getogrow]

nope, the ballast is already out of grow tent, next to it on a table. i wanted to interrupt the light cycle everyday for half an hour so i can cooldown. but now i know that it isnt a good idea. so i will leave it as is for now (on a brick) and then i maybe will add a pc fan on it. peace

In that case he is right (like always) Them thangs are made for all that heat. put it on a brick or anything that wont catch fire. Do not interrupt it.
I have ALWAYS used magnetic ballast. Im using 4k's right now that are well over 10 years old .....one is at least 15, closer to 20.

 

[soap1964]

thanks mate! i feel a lot safer now

 

[thumper60]

Hello everyone,

im new to this community. I found answers in some threads but i wanna ask again cuz they are a bit old. My magnetic ballast produces a lot of heat (i cant keep my hand on it for more than 2 seconds). Is this normal? Am i paranoid?

thanks

If you cant keep your hand on it for 2 seconds with out burning unplug that fucking thing before it burns your house down!! not normal or right!!

 

[soap1964]

If you cant keep your hand on it for 2 seconds with out burning unplug that fucking thing before it burns your house down!! not normal or right!!

one friend gave me his magnetic ballast (same model) and it does the same thing.. i guess its normal.. no fire possibility imo if i dont overload the socket.

 

[thumper60]

one friend gave me his magnetic ballast (same model) and it does the same thing.. i guess its normal.. no fire possibility imo if i dont overload the socket.

Its not normal for a ballast to burn your hand in two seconds!! But whatever happy growing.

 

[soap1964]

Its not normal for a ballast to burn your hand in two seconds!! But whatever happy growing.

u talk for magnetic ballast or electronic one?

 

[Renfro]

Its not normal for a ballast to burn your hand in two seconds!! But whatever happy growing.

He just has soft hands. lol

Ballast transformers do get hot, not hot enough to start a fire but uncomfortable to put your hand on. It's nothing to worry about.

 

[Renfro]

u talk for magnetic ballast or electronic one?

A digital ballast won't get as hot because the semiconductors involved won't handle the heat, thus the aluminum heat sink.