Broken Light?

drcheat

Member
I have a 1000w HPS light, but it keeps shutting off! It turns off and then starts back up again, and it has to heat up every time. :cry:

Does anyone have any idea what the problem may be? The 600w runs just fine. Is it the electric? the Balast?

Any input would be great. Thanks.
 

Jason2011

Active Member
"Does anyone have any idea what the problem may be? The 600w runs just fine"???
are you using the same ballast for the 1000 as you did for the 600 ?
 

drcheat

Member
No, the balast on the 1000 is the right one for it. It ran fine for almost 2 years. It sucks! I paid almost double vs the 600. I think it's an extrasun.
 

Knox

Member
In core & Coil HPS ballasts the ignitors are used to ignite the bulb. So if it initially fires up then the ignitor is not the problem.

If you had a capacitence meter that measures uf (microfarads) then you could check the Capicitor (90% of core & coil ballast issues) it should read 26uf for a 1000w. These meters are pricey though. Your local hydro shop should be able to test that for you. The capicitor holds the charge and is likely what blows or wears out due to any power surge. However those problems usually show as not lighting at all or running dim.

The third component is the transformer and if this is bad you might as well just buy a new ballast if you are not within the warranty.

But most likely its just the lamp. Take your ballast in to your local hydro shop. They should have no prob testing a new bulb on your ballast.

good luck!
 

woodsmaneh!

Well-Known Member
Did some looking around some more and if you go to Venture lighting the have a trouble shooting guide and in fact as said above it happens when a bulb goes end of life. I always replace mine 1000w on my birthday, use them one year and sell them for 40$ used. I have had old style ballast do the same thing come on then when hot shut down.
 

drcheat

Member
Thanks for the advise, I might take it to my local hydro store. I hooked it up again, this time to a 20 socket. Last time it was a 15, I think. And it works fine, i've been running it all day and no problems yet.

It is possible that when I was having the problem, it was due to power loss or something? My neighbors were doing construction at the time, and it would seem to go off the same time a loud power tool would turn on. But later on, it would turn of constantly.... so who knows. That's why I would love to hook it up through 240! My dryer plug looks like this
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Major-Appliances-3603/2009/9/Dryer-wall-plug-1.htm
Anyone know where I could get the cable so I could use the 240v, outlet? And how would I hook up a timer?

I was wondering, what kind of cable would be more efficient (less loss), a 25 ft 12 gage or 100 ft 10 gage? This is rather off topic, but... can I power one of the 4in duct fans by just hooking up a plug and wire like for a lamp?

I still think I'm going to go to the hydro store so they can check my ballast and lamp. I should replace my lamp, but I just don't have the $ right now, but if my lamp is alot less productive than I don't want to run it either.
 
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