Magnetic ballast heat

soap1964 · Apr 5, 2020

Hello everyone,

im new to this community. I found answers in some threads but i wanna ask again cuz they are a bit old. My magnetic ballast produces a lot of heat (i cant keep my hand on it for more than 2 seconds). Is this normal? Am i paranoid?

thanks

soap1964 · Apr 5, 2020

***I have eti ballast 250w for 250w hps

Renfro · Apr 5, 2020

They make heat for sure. This is why many growers opt to locate the ballast outside of the grow space and use a fan to cool their ballasts so they will last longer.

soap1964 · Apr 5, 2020

Renfro said:
They make heat for sure. This is why many growers opt to locate the ballast outside of the grow space and use a fan to cool their ballasts so they will last longer.

thanks! i will try that

Renfro · Apr 5, 2020

soap1964 said:
thanks! i will try that

You are most welcome. Hope you enjoy our forum, it's a great place to learn.

soap1964 · Apr 5, 2020

Renfro said:
You are most welcome. Hope you enjoy our forum, it's a great place to learn.

Since i grow autos can i interrupt the lights when are on for half an hour off so the ballast has some time to cool down or this will stresss my plants?

Herb & Suds · Apr 5, 2020

soap1964 said:
Since i grow autos can i interrupt the lights when are on for half an hour off so the ballast has some time to cool down or this will stresss my plants?

You'll be fine

getogrow · Apr 5, 2020

soap1964 said:
Since i grow autos can i interrupt the lights when are on for half an hour off so the ballast has some time to cool down or this will stresss my plants?

If your just going to interupt it for long enough to move it then your fine. You cannot do this often. just this once to move it. It wont hurt the girls.

soap1964 · Apr 5, 2020

thanks a lot! lets see how this goes

Renfro · Apr 5, 2020

soap1964 said:
Since i grow autos can i interrupt the lights when are on for half an hour off so the ballast has some time to cool down or this will stresss my plants?

I wouldn't dick with it. The ballast is designed to handle the heat for many years. Firing the bulb on more often degrades its life faster for one thing.

getogrow · Apr 6, 2020

Renfro said:
I wouldn't dick with it. The ballast is designed to handle the heat for many years. Firing the bulb on more often degrades its life faster for one thing.

im pretty sure he just wants to cut it off long enough to move it one time. (hes following your advice an getting the heat out of the grow area)

soap1964 · Apr 6, 2020

getogrow said:
im pretty sure he just wants to cut it off long enough to move it one time. (hes following your advice an getting the heat out of the grow area)

nope, the ballast is already out of grow tent, next to it on a table. i wanted to interrupt the light cycle everyday for half an hour so i can cooldown. but now i know that it isnt a good idea. so i will leave it as is for now (on a brick) and then i maybe will add a pc fan on it. peace

getogrow · Apr 6, 2020

soap1964 said:
nope, the ballast is already out of grow tent, next to it on a table. i wanted to interrupt the light cycle everyday for half an hour so i can cooldown. but now i know that it isnt a good idea. so i will leave it as is for now (on a brick) and then i maybe will add a pc fan on it. peace

In that case he is right (like always) Them thangs are made for all that heat. put it on a brick or anything that wont catch fire. Do not interrupt it.
I have ALWAYS used magnetic ballast. Im using 4k's right now that are well over 10 years old .....one is at least 15, closer to 20.

soap1964 · Apr 6, 2020

thanks mate! i feel a lot safer now

thumper60 · Apr 6, 2020

soap1964 said:
Hello everyone,

im new to this community. I found answers in some threads but i wanna ask again cuz they are a bit old. My magnetic ballast produces a lot of heat (i cant keep my hand on it for more than 2 seconds). Is this normal? Am i paranoid?

thanks

If you cant keep your hand on it for 2 seconds with out burning unplug that fucking thing before it burns your house down!! not normal or right!!

soap1964 · Apr 6, 2020

thumper60 said:
If you cant keep your hand on it for 2 seconds with out burning unplug that fucking thing before it burns your house down!! not normal or right!!

one friend gave me his magnetic ballast (same model) and it does the same thing.. i guess its normal.. no fire possibility imo if i dont overload the socket.

thumper60 · Apr 6, 2020

soap1964 said:
one friend gave me his magnetic ballast (same model) and it does the same thing.. i guess its normal.. no fire possibility imo if i dont overload the socket.

Its not normal for a ballast to burn your hand in two seconds!! But whatever happy growing.

soap1964 · Apr 6, 2020

thumper60 said:
Its not normal for a ballast to burn your hand in two seconds!! But whatever happy growing.

u talk for magnetic ballast or electronic one?

Renfro · Apr 6, 2020

thumper60 said:
Its not normal for a ballast to burn your hand in two seconds!! But whatever happy growing.

He just has soft hands. lol

Ballast transformers do get hot, not hot enough to start a fire but uncomfortable to put your hand on. It's nothing to worry about.

Renfro · Apr 6, 2020

soap1964 said:
u talk for magnetic ballast or electronic one?

A digital ballast won't get as hot because the semiconductors involved won't handle the heat, thus the aluminum heat sink.

Magnetic ballast heat

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