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

roesn

roesn

Member
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.
 
B

Baxter Wentworth

Member
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

fir3dragon

Well-Known Member
roesn said:
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.
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a hydrofarm phantom will fix it. I'm getting one myself.
 
dbkick

dbkick

Well-Known Member
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

midnitetoak

Active Member
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

midnitetoak

Active Member
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

fir3dragon

Well-Known Member
dbkick said:
a solis tek matrix will fix it just like the phantom but with more features!
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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
 
T

thinn

Well-Known Member
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.
 
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AHoleNotherLevel420

New Member
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

Dr. Skunk Bud

Active Member
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

fir3dragon

Well-Known Member
AHoleNotherLevel420 said:
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.
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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.
 
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