Confused as hell...will wall recepticle operate 1000w hps on 100%

iontoxicated415

iontoxicated415

Member
Okay yall heres question...is my old wiring causing my 1000w hps to not operate correctly? I ve blowed 2 bulbs replaced everything but the lighing socket and everything is new...soooooo why cant it operate at 100 only 75%?

okay i dont have a dedicated breaker for my grow light recepticle....i have a 1000w hps/mh apollo electronic digital dimmable ballast with 42 in hood i ve replaced the bulbs twice hps ...IM NOT STUPID I DO NOT TOUCH WIT FINGERS TO PUT IN...AND THE HPS BULBS BLEW THE INSIDE THE GLASS THE TUBE BROKE APART....i can watch the mh running at 100% flickering till i cut back to 75 % then runs fine ...15 amp breaker and 12/3 cords running to everything.....does anyone think if i have my homeboy to run a 220 line it would solve these issues?
 
PattyWagon

PattyWagon

Well-Known Member
A standard wall socket can handle around 1800 watts safely. Usually a standard circuit breaker will only take 15 amps before the fuse blows or board shorts out. Make sure your combined power usuage does not exceed 15 amps. Frayed,corroded, or bad wiring can lead to unfortunate consequences. If neccesary call an electrician and have him take a look(obviously with all grow related stuff not in sight). Also you can request a circuit breaker that can handle increased amperage. They make 30amp and higher.
 
sikkinixx

sikkinixx

Active Member
I work in the construction field and it is unlikely that the wiring has anything to do with the bulbs blowing. I operated a 1000w light, lots of fans, dehumidifier, etc. on a 15 amp breaker without problem. Having a basic understanding of electrical is a MUST to SAFELY grow marijuana. And yes, if you know an electrician have him come check out your set up and make sure everything is on the level, it would be a pretty embarrassing 911 call if you had a fire. I did just upgrade to a 30 amp, do it you you have the option. It's probably something wrong with the ballast or lamp? Never handle bulbs with your bare hands: the grease on your fingers can make bulbs blow when they heat up.
 
direwolf71

direwolf71

Well-Known Member
Don't touch the bulb with your fingers, use a towel or clean rag when you screw it in to the socket. Touching the glass will shorten the life of the bulb.
 
skunkd0c

skunkd0c

Well-Known Member
hids are durable more so than most other types of light
i have never heard of not touching one because the grease on your fingers might shorten the bulb life
sounds absolutely ridiculous, but im sure there is a study somewhere ?
 
djwimbo

djwimbo

Well-Known Member
skunkd0c said:
hids are durable more so than most other types of light
i have never heard of not touching one because the grease on your fingers might shorten the bulb life
sounds absolutely ridiculous, but im sure there is a study somewhere ?
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That's Lightbulb 101, sorry to say, but every person I know that runs HID knows that.

Same issue with ANY high temp bulb, like headlight bulbs in a car. The grease creates a heat spot(refracted light concentration), and will cause the bulb to crack.
 
ArCaned

ArCaned

Active Member
skunkd0c said:
hids are durable more so than most other types of light i have never heard of not touching one because the grease on your fingers might shorten the bulb life sounds absolutely ridiculous, but im sure there is a study somewhere ?
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It's a well known fact about HID bulbs, fingerprints can break them. QED.
 
slowandsteady

slowandsteady

Well-Known Member
op you have another location to test your light out at ? that would help narrow down ballast or wiring. even spend a weekend in a motel and take along your night light.
 
bass1014

bass1014

Well-Known Member
few questions about what the hell is going on..

first you stated its a 1000wtt but what type of light is it?? does it have a brand name or is it a shop light?

when you say it blew bulbs what do you mean by blown? busted or just not working.. busted bulbs are from you touching the bulb and leaving a slight film on it sometimes unseen but it will destroy the bulb and can explode... so always use the container the bulb is wrapped in to install the bulb..

If you run a surge protector and plug the light in first to the surge protector and it should blow the surge protector first.. if the ballast is faulty and keeps blowing the surge protector or a breaker then your risking a serious fire..

IMHO i woild replace the ballast.. and then figure out why the other one is faulty.. if its a brand name there should be a guarantee or atleast a service tech support..
 
superstoner1

superstoner1

Well-Known Member
PattyWagon said:
A standard wall socket can handle around 1800 watts safely. Usually a standard circuit breaker will only take 15 amps before the fuse blows or board shorts out. Make sure your combined power usuage does not exceed 15 amps. Frayed,c
PattyWagon said:
A standard wall socket can handle around 1800 watts safely. Usually a standard circuit breaker will only take 15 amps before the fuse blows or board shorts out. Make sure your combined power usuage does not exceed 15 amps. Frayed,corroded, or bad wiring can lead to unfortunate consequences. If neccesary call an electrician and have him take a look(obvious
PattyWagon said:
A standard wall socket can handle around 1800 watts safely. Usually a standard circuit breaker will only take 15 amps before the fuse blows or board shorts out. Make sure your combined power usuage does not exceed 15 amps. Frayed,c
PattyWagon said:
A standard wall socket can handle around 1800 watts safely. Usually a standard circuit breaker will only take 15 amps before the fuse blows or board shorts out. Make sure your combined power usuage does not exceed 15 amps. Frayed,corroded, or bad wiring can lead to unfortunate consequences. If neccesary call an electrician and have him take a look(obviously with all grow related stuff not in sight). Also you can request a circuit breaker that can handle increased amperage. They make 30amp and higher.
Click to expand...
Two dangerous things about this post. 1. There is a rule of electrical to not exceed 75% of a circuit's maximum amperage. 2. You NEVER add a larger breaker to an existing circuit without changing to a lower gauge wire. This is extremely dangerous. The wires are matched to handle appropriate amperage and adding a larger breaker to wires too small is a fire waiting to happen.
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Click to expand...
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PattyWagon

PattyWagon

Well-Known Member
I was not suggesting or giving a how-to install a breaker him self. I'm just saying if he has extra circuits available on the main why not have an electrician install a 30amp breaker. You always use 10 guage wire for the main to new 30amp breaker, that's a no brainer man.Only retards throw in new breakers with exsisting wiring(unless identical breaker).I'm am licensed to do this type of install in my state. Breakers and sub-panels are constructed to operate at 80% of the designed amperage. A good trick is to use fuses that trip at that exact percentage of the max load capacity. By NO means do I EVER suggest anyone do this install with out a licensed electrician. BTW you would be surprised by home many people with old homes have fucked up wiring. Especially basements. Never hurts to have it inspected.
 
J

JayKitchen

New Member
Regardless, you really need to get an electrician to check your outlets and breakers. I'm a doofus with this but it is critical that your wiring/breakers can handle what you are running. Can save you a lot of heartache down the line. Also, I try to handle my bulbs with latex or nitrile gloves, just a good practice, but make sure the bulb is cool before you touch it!!!!
 
Frosty125

Frosty125

Member
You said u were running apollo.
There is actually a thread i just saw on here warning people about apollo lights. Im pretty sure it said he bought two and they both blew. Maybe its related to your problem i would check it out.
 
sikkinixx

sikkinixx

Active Member
I think jay's point here is that there is no such thing as common sense in regards to things. Patty say's only retards would put in a higher rated breaker with out also adding a heavier wire, I know that, Jay knows that, and clearly Patty knows that, but I don't agree it's something "only retards don't know." Patty, where does one acquire this "obvious" knowledge? When people receive vague information on a dangerous topic, they might just follow it. My point is this: we are here to help each other, not make each other feel stupid. Yes, you need to have equal rated wire and breakers. You absolutely should use a rag to handle bulbs, I do that with all bulbs, even house lamps. ALSO, AMP and WATT ratings are NOT LIMITED TO YOUR WALL SOCKET AND BREAKER!!!! Every extension chord, power strip, and timer has a power rating as well. READ LABELS!!! Electrical fires are WAY more likely to from over loading hardware then bad wiring. People, know your craft. If you are reading this you are on the internet, and therefore have no excuse not to having a basic understanding of electrical. BE SAFE, and good luck.

Amp to Watt conversion
http://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electric/Watt_to_Amp_Calculator.htm

Breaker, Wire and Load size chart
http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/08_How to Calculate Breaker Wire Size & Wattage.pdf

Was that so hard?

Information, not insults.
 
PattyWagon

PattyWagon

Well-Known Member
My "Vague" info was to call an electrician and not attempt it. REQUESTING an extra breaker to be installed by an electrician is not complicated or sketchy. I guess I got my knowledge after 4 years of training for my journeyman's card in electrical wiring and service. I'm not here to make anyone stupid or get them selves hurt. If your entire grow is on one circuit, you better be positive your total load is 80% or less. Everything said in this thread is spot on except the few who bare hand bulbs. I come here and absorb so much info from all of you. Especially super stoner. Just thought since this topic is relevant in my mind I'd contribute. My bad.
 
superstoner1

superstoner1

Well-Known Member
Patty, i really wasnt trying to start a big thing. Your original post was very vague and an inexperienced person would read what u said as just change the breaker. Just wanted that brought to light.
 
PattyWagon

PattyWagon

Well-Known Member
superstoner1 said:
Patty, i really wasnt trying to start a big thing. Your original post was very vague and an inexperienced person would read what u said as just change the breaker. Just wanted that brought to light.
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Agreed, I assumed he had a basic knowledge of electrical usage. I think the finale of this thread will curb people from tinkering in their power panels.
 
iontoxicated415

iontoxicated415

Member
tyhnx guys for info and yes i absolutely have a lil electrical knowledge but the 75 percent of load is my problem ...im havin a dedicated 220 line installed by friend license electrician....THIS ALL AFTER REPLACING BULBS CORDS AND BALLAST/......I LOVE GROWIN!!!!!!!
 
B

BossHoggins

Member
Good choice going 220.

I prefer 220 for larger loads like A/C and lighting. Electricians are expensive, hopefully your friend cuts you a break. I ran my own lines and it cost me maybe 150 bucks in materials to run 75' away after all was said and done. Took me a good 4 hours to complete.

A lot of people are afraid of this kinda stuff, but if you pick up 'the ugly yellow book' and have some minimal training, you really can save a ton of money. I've always enjoyed algebra, so electrical circuits are fun for me. I tend to overbuild most things too, allowing for unexpected future expansion. Usually 50-100% if there is room on the main breaker for it, and if I can afford the extra copper.

I've also seen plenty of circuits that could be upgraded with a larger breaker. My house had a few. When they built houses with cheap copper prices, they just threw the same gauge wire everywhere and de-rated the appropriate circuits with a 15A breaker here, 20A there in the main box.
 
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