600w hps bulb/ballast problem

markybuds

markybuds

Well-Known Member
i bought a 600w sun system magnetic ballast and hood with a 600w hps and a 600w MH bulb. i had to buy the magnetic ballast because my digital ballast was interfering with the modems and internet connections throughout my apt building,, but thats another story. I am now on my 3rd replacement HPS bulb from where i've bought this light,,, and its the same result. it illuminates but will not kick on. the reason i dont believe its the hood or ballast is because the MH bulb works perfectly fine. and i am now in my 9th week of flower having to do so with the MH bulb. not optimal but doing the job. if theres anyone out there that can shed some light, give some suggestions or point me in a direction it would be truly appreciated as i'm on the brink of firing bulbs out of my window :) thanks in advance peeps!
 
ATL HYDRO

ATL HYDRO

Active Member
Are you sure the ballast is compattible with MH and HPS? Read the grow light real good and make sure it says hps and mh compattible. You may have bought a ballast that will only run a mh. That's really all I can think of. I've heard of digital ballasts not running certain bulbs but not the other way around. A 600w switchable magnetic is pretty rare but they do exist.
 
markybuds

markybuds

Well-Known Member
yes,, i got the second replacement bulb to kick on once but thats it. the following morning it did not turn on when the timer flipped to on. it just illuminated.
 
ATL HYDRO

ATL HYDRO

Active Member
If you weren't mid grow I would just tell you to try to send it back for a refund. One thing I can think of that might be your problem is turning off and on the light multiple times in a row while it is still hot can blow your bulbs. You have to let it cool completely before changing bulbs. When you fire up one of these lights it sends a jolt to the bulb to get it started up that can be damaging to the bulb. You can do searches on here of other people with similar problems.
 
markybuds

markybuds

Well-Known Member
ATL HYDRO said:
If you weren't mid grow I would just tell you to try to send it back for a refund. One thing I can think of that might be your problem is turning off and on the light multiple times in a row while it is still hot can blow your bulbs. You have to let it cool completely before changing bulbs. When you fire up one of these lights it sends a jolt to the bulb to get it started up that can be damaging to the bulb. You can do searches on here of other people with similar problems.
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that sounds logical,, i let the ballast cool down for 10-15 mins before i switched bulbs,, i guess i'll try switching them at lights out and hope it kicks on in the morning.
but when i switched back the MH for the HPS i waited 10 mins and the MH kicked right on. i guess (hope lol) you cant expect the same things from different bulbs. thanks 4 your time and input!
 
ATL HYDRO

ATL HYDRO

Active Member
If you have the money to spend up front I would order a different make and model hood and reflector, continue flowering with your mh that works, and when the new grow light gets there send that one back for a refund. If the seller wont give you a refund then just sell it on ebay, someone will buy it.
 
markybuds

markybuds

Well-Known Member
ATL HYDRO said:
If you have the money to spend up front I would order a different make and model hood and reflector, continue flowering with your mh that works, and when the new grow light gets there send that one back for a refund. If the seller wont give you a refund then just sell it on ebay, someone will buy it.
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i just bought this light because my 1000w digital was interfering with with my whole apt buildings internet,, the cable company pin-pointed it to my apt. and some navy seal looking tech support guy was knocking at my door with the super lol,, i wish i had it like that but i cant afford 3 grow lights within 2 months :-| this blows
 
ATL HYDRO

ATL HYDRO

Active Member
According to the ebay ad your mh bulb is 4100k so it isn't too far off from the proper spectrum (2100k is standard hps spectrum and I've seen mh bulbs in the 5-6k range), so I have no doubt you can grow killer buds with that light.
Yeah don't you wish someone warned us about the interference thing? I just sold 2 digitals and bought 2 magnetics same problem, check my signature... Well good luck anyways..
 
markybuds

markybuds

Well-Known Member
yea they're doing fine. RP sour kush,, more on the sour diesel side i'd say. i can tell by the smell, stretch and flower time. im at 9 weeks and its looks to have 2 more to go. all i normally use the MH for is the 1st 3 weeks of flower to minimize stretch. the red spectrum in a HPS triggers flowering hormones early on but adds to the initial stretch. basically i'm losing out on lumens and im adding more heat.
 
$

$$$

Member
Hey, Markybuds.

Did you ever figure out your problem? I ordered the same ballast 2 weeks ago and it will not light my 600w HPS. It will work with a 400w HPS..which is what I am having to use..I even ordered a new ballast, but it still will not work with 600w. I bought 3 600w bulbs before I figured out it wasn't the bulb. Just curious if you ever figured out your issue...I am about to go to the local store to buy yet another ballast and drop even more money.
http://www.virtualsunhydroponics.com/Agricultural/products/VS600WMB.asp?rt=2

If anyone else has any ideas, it would be much appreciated.
 
shaun2000

shaun2000

Well-Known Member
209 Cali closet grower said:
If you have no switch and it magnetic then only one bulb will work.
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i know this is an old post, but this reply was bullshit, and since it was a google result , wouldnt want somebody trusting that.

my ballasts dont have switchs. mag ballast, 400w and 600w. both take mh and hps.

Word to the wise, dont trusteverything you read, cause most of it is snake oil and bull shiznit
 
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