600w HPS takes 2 hrs to start

C

chimayred

Member
Hi guys,

I have 4x600W HPS lights. split in two pairs they are started by two timers. Start times are about a minute or so apart.

All was well for a while, but then one of these would start taking approx. 2 hrs to light up. It would carry on OK for the remainder of the "day time". Replacing the bulb, replacing the timer, power board - does not help.

Any ideas ?

Cheers
 
jondamon

jondamon

Well-Known Member
gagekko said:
Haha... Why would you wait so long to replace ballast? Maybe you wanna stress the plants and get some hermies?
Click to expand...
Well read! Lol.

He's using 4x600w. So one not working properly isn't going to stress them too badly as there is still 1800w being run.



J
 
C

chimayred

Member
Thanks for replying :)

Indeed, might try the ballast. Though from what i understand those things either work normally or not at all...
 
Figong

Figong

Well-Known Member
chimayred said:
Hi guys,

I have 4x600W HPS lights. split in two pairs they are started by two timers. Start times are about a minute or so apart.

All was well for a while, but then one of these would start taking approx. 2 hrs to light up. It would carry on OK for the remainder of the "day time". Replacing the bulb, replacing the timer, power board - does not help.

Any ideas ?

Cheers
Click to expand...
How long is 'a while' regarding it working? Have you moved or touched the light? Sounds like the bulb could just be a bit loose in the socket.. make sure it's cool to the touch and use latex or something in the way of a glove that will not leave oil.. check how tight it is in the socket. If it's still difficult to turn but you can feel a lil' bit of play, a light.. and I do mean -very- light amount of graphite on the bulb base should allow you to properly seat it. Assuming that's not it, I agree with the other posts which point to ballast or high-voltage ignitor, more specifically. Are you getting any hum out of it at all, or not even a hum? (re: the ballast)
 
C

chimayred

Member
Figong said:
How long is 'a while' regarding it working? Have you moved or touched the light? Sounds like the bulb could just be a bit loose in the socket.. make sure it's cool to the touch and use latex or something in the way of a glove that will not leave oil.. check how tight it is in the socket. If it's still difficult to turn but you can feel a lil' bit of play, a light.. and I do mean -very- light amount of graphite on the bulb base should allow you to properly seat it. Assuming that's not it, I agree with the other posts which point to ballast or high-voltage ignitor, more specifically. Are you getting any hum out of it at all, or not even a hum? (re: the ballast)
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Man, this might actually be it - will check the bulb is properly in and let you know. Thanks so much for your input !
 
Figong

Figong

Well-Known Member
chimayred said:
Man, this might actually be it - will check the bulb is properly in and let you know. Thanks so much for your input !
Click to expand...
Have seen bulbs not seated completely causing this, so I wouldn't rule it out - all else fails we rule out the seating of it as an issue :D
 
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