Almost harvest time... ballast won't start.

[roesn]

I am in the final weeks of flowering my plants but today when I checked my box, the light was off when it wasn't suppose to be. Its not just the bulb.. the ballast it self doesn't run in any way or make a noise. It just sits dead when giving it power.

Its a 600w ipower growlight digital ballast. Has anyone else encountered this problem or know what could be causing it? What should I do at this point? My plants have been in the dark for at least 24 hours.

 

[Baxter Wentworth]

Unless you're an electronic repair tech you need to run out and get a new ballast. Even if it's under warranty a replacement or repair from the manufacturer will take too long.

 

[fir3dragon]

I am in the final weeks of flowering my plants but today when I checked my box, the light was off when it wasn't suppose to be. Its not just the bulb.. the ballast it self doesn't run in any way or make a noise. It just sits dead when giving it power.

Its a 600w ipower growlight digital ballast. Has anyone else encountered this problem or know what could be causing it? What should I do at this point? My plants have been in the dark for at least 24 hours.

a hydrofarm phantom will fix it. I'm getting one myself.

 

[dbkick]

a solis tek matrix will fix it just like the phantom but with more features!

 

[dbkick]

This is one reason I buy quality even though I pay the price, this is also the reason why I buy local and from a mom and pop shop. The place I shop if you buy a ballast from them and it quits working they'll give you a loaner to use until they get it sorted. I bet the place I shop would loan me a ballast even if I didn't buy it there.
OP back on topic more, I've seen several posts about ipower and people having issues. There may be a fuse in the ballast that's user serviceable . good luck.

 

[midnitetoak]

I had a similar problem & had to get a replacement ballast quick fast in a hurry. It is true that you get what you pay for & all those cheapo ballasts are junk. Do yourself a favor & get/order a quality ballast and rig up some CFLs to get by with in the meantime. I am using the same ipower ballast you are but have not had issues with it yet. Good luck

 

[midnitetoak]

Actually I am using an ipower 400w ballast currently but I know there are much better quality ones out there. 1 or 2 days in the dark shouldn't hurt them much but I went a whole 8 days with no lights. My girls basically shed all their foliage & it took 3 weeks to recover them. Get CFLs in the interim & you will avoid this.

 

[fir3dragon]

a solis tek matrix will fix it just like the phantom but with more features!

I agree the matrix is a good 100+ more then the phantom. I snagged mine for 155 cheapest I can find a matrix for is 268 a matrix will be a good investment but right now I'm good for 2 years or so by then they should have a better ballast for me to invest in, as well as a blockbuster 6 reflector but that's off subject lol

 

[thinn]

These ipower ballasts stopped working threads are starting to rack up here. In the last couple months 90% of the "ballast wont fire up" threads I have read, have been Ipower. My suggestion, pony up to get something that is reliable......I understand that not everyone can afford a good ballast but IT IS the business end of a grow and should not be bargain shopped....specifically for the reason you have just encountered. If the money is not there, save for a reliable ballast.

 

[AHoleNotherLevel420]

ok im just going to say this.. anything ELECTRONIC.. if ur not paying for the GOOD STUFF.. just stay Mag.. there much easier to fix.. and they last longer.. u can use Sunsystems.. Xtrasun.. or whatever.. mags just don't buy shit on EBAY.. just get from a grow store .. instore or online.. but u wont be sorry. I been running Sunsystems 1000w swtichables.. for 3 years without a hiccup.. and another 1 for 7 years withouot an issue.

 

[Dr. Skunk Bud]

I had that happen on my last grow but what I did was unplug the cord from the ballast and plug it back in it worked for me but your situation may be different. Its worth a try anyway.

 

[fir3dragon]

ok im just going to say this.. anything ELECTRONIC.. if ur not paying for the GOOD STUFF.. just stay Mag.. there much easier to fix.. and they last longer.. u can use Sunsystems.. Xtrasun.. or whatever.. mags just don't buy shit on EBAY.. just get from a grow store .. instore or online.. but u wont be sorry. I been running Sunsystems 1000w swtichables.. for 3 years without a hiccup.. and another 1 for 7 years withouot an issue.

i disagree with the eBay part. All of my items are from ebay, you just need to find good sellers. I haven't had a problem with anything of mine except one 6 inch fan which I paid 50 for and it was used so I didn't expect it to last more then a year. Just ordered more stuff from eBay.