Magnetic ballast heat

[thumper60]

u talk for magnetic ballast or electronic one?

Either one I run both an have for many yrs never have I had one burn me. warmish- hot yes but burn in 2 seconds!!! Like renfo says very soft hands LOL

 

[thumper60]

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

I run a few 1k mags can keep my hand on it for as long as needed no where near burning. Whats he running open ballast?

 

[Renfro]

I run a few 1k mags can keep my hand on it for as long as needed no where near burning. Whats he running open ballast?

I know as much as you do, he didn't provide a pic. Without an IR temp reading we are just going by his description.

 

[FastFreddi]

I know as much as you do, he didn't provide a pic. Without an IR temp reading we are just going by his description.

I wonder how old the wiring may be that it is plugged into? Perhaps causing heatup due poor conductivity?
I am no electrical engineer..just a thought, or extension cord?
FF

 

[soap1964]

i have an ETI 250w compact ballast. I made a little research and maybe i screwed the wires too tight on the connectors or maybe its due to an old wire. the wire used to connect this ballast to the socket is 3-4 years old maybe.

 

[FastFreddi]

Worth a try op.
FF

 

[soap1964]

Worth a try op.
FF

i will make some changes and will monitor how it goes tomorrow

 

[soap1964]

I wonder how old the wiring may be that it is plugged into? Perhaps causing heatup due poor conductivity?
I am no electrical engineer..just a thought, or extension cord?
FF

u mean its better to run straight from the socket and without the extension cord?

 

[soap1964]

if thats the case i would expect the extension cord build up some heat as well but it doesnt

 

[soap1964]

maybe i got soft hands lol

 

[FastFreddi]

Hopefully you have a 12 g wire sized extension cord.. or heavy duty.
Peace.
FF

 

[soap1964]

Hopefully you have a 12 g wire sized extension cord.. or heavy duty.
Peace.
FF

i dunno what this is mate... i just have a cable that can carry max 16A and 250V.. im in europe so maybe this is a heavy duty cable.. my ballast is <=1.4A so i think i have no problem. now i checked every component (breakers, extension cords, ballast, etc) so i can make it right. so the conclusion is that the ballast produces normal heat and my hands are soft or the ballast is old and produces more heat as a result..

lets hope for the best!

 

[FastFreddi]

i dunno what this is mate... i just have a cable that can carry max 16A and 250V.. im in europe so maybe this is a heavy duty cable.. my ballast is <=1.4A so i think i have no problem. now i checked every component (breakers, extension cords, ballast, etc) so i can make it right. so the conclusion is that the ballast produces normal heat and my hands are soft or the ballast is old and produces more heat as a result..

lets hope for the best!

Right on, lol Yessir!
Peace.
FF

 

[FastFreddi]

Right on, lol Yessir!
Peace.
FF

I wish an awesome grow op.
FF

 

[soap1964]

I wish an awesome grow op.
FF

thanks mate! thanks everyone that helped with their level of knowledge! hope all the best!!!

 

[thumper60]

thanks mate! thanks everyone that helped with their level of knowledge! hope all the best!!!

For real if you cant put your fingers on it with burning!! Unplug that fucking thing before you kill somebody.

 

[Renfro]

Man stop sweating it.

 

[spek9]

For real if you cant put your fingers on it with burning!! Unplug that fucking thing before you kill somebody.

Magnetic ballasts get very hot. That's one of the drawbacks to them. They've been this way since their inception.

If a magnetic ballast is having electrical problems, it'll show itself through the light. It'll randomly dim, behave inconsistently, or plain not turn on at all.

Keep the ballast free of dust, ensure it isn't in an enclosed space, and always ensure adequate space around it for air movement.

 

[Renfro]

If a magnetic ballast is having electrical problems, it'll show itself through the light. It'll randomly dim, behave inconsistently, or plain not turn on at all.

Or it will pop a breaker. Nothing to worry about at all.

 

[thumper60]

Magnetic ballasts get very hot. That's one of the drawbacks to them. They've been this way since their inception.

If a magnetic ballast is having electrical problems, it'll show itself through the light. It'll randomly dim, behave inconsistently, or plain not turn on at all.

Keep the ballast free of dust, ensure it isn't in an enclosed space, and always ensure adequate space around it for air movement.

Not sure what kind of magnetic ballast your talking about the ones I use from hydrofarm run warm, I can put my hand on it all day long no burning? I agree 100% on the dust,enclosed space, I hope that is common sense