Jack Dupp
- 507
- 93
Howdy folks,
I've got a real head-scratcher of a problem at the moment, and could use some collective advise to figure it out.
I am running 2 Galaxy Select-a-Watt ballasts (set at 600w) , 2 XtraSun batwing reflectors, and 2 Ushio 600w bulbs. Each ballast is plugged into it's own outlet, and is controlled by a digital timer.
Yesterday when I did my morning check of my garden, I found one of the lights not on. The first thing I checked was the timer and it was in order. The next thing I did was check the "reset" button on the ballast. It had not been tripped. Next I changed out the bulb. That did not work.
The only spare ballast I have is an XtraSun 1000w switchable MH/HPS magnetic ballast. I removed the digital ballast and replaced it with the magnetic. Hooked up the socket cord and installed a 1000w HPS bulb. Came back 10 min. later. Nothing. I bypassed the timer and plugged straight into the outlet. Nothing.
I checked that the outlet was delivering power with both voltage detector and a volt meter. The outlet was getting power. I changed out the batwing and socket cord for another hood and cord, plugged them in and screwed in the 1K HPS bulb. Nothing.
At this time I contacted my electrical buddy and had him walk me through testing continuity of every cord that I had used and all were fine. I figured by now it must be the bulbs. So I try 3 different bulbs; one 1k HPS, one 1K MH, one 600w HPS. None of them work. My sparky buddy was at a loss, and I had a splitting headache, so I resolve to fix it in the morning.
Today I bring in both ballasts, the 3 bulbs, and the batwing and socket, to an outlet that I know works.I try out all the different combinations and check continuity from socket to plug to see if I had missed something. Nothing worked. So I go out to my grow to grab a bulb, that I know works, before the timer kicks on. I bring that bulb to check it with both ballasts and neither one fires it. I replace the good bulb back in my grow and when the timer kicked, it lit up.
At present, I cannot figure out if I have 3 bulbs that don't work, or 2 ballasts, or both. I'm heading to a local grow shop to see if they can figure it out, or have the digi ballast sent back to Sun Systems. Any advise or suggestions appreciated.
Thanks.
I've got a real head-scratcher of a problem at the moment, and could use some collective advise to figure it out.
I am running 2 Galaxy Select-a-Watt ballasts (set at 600w) , 2 XtraSun batwing reflectors, and 2 Ushio 600w bulbs. Each ballast is plugged into it's own outlet, and is controlled by a digital timer.
Yesterday when I did my morning check of my garden, I found one of the lights not on. The first thing I checked was the timer and it was in order. The next thing I did was check the "reset" button on the ballast. It had not been tripped. Next I changed out the bulb. That did not work.
The only spare ballast I have is an XtraSun 1000w switchable MH/HPS magnetic ballast. I removed the digital ballast and replaced it with the magnetic. Hooked up the socket cord and installed a 1000w HPS bulb. Came back 10 min. later. Nothing. I bypassed the timer and plugged straight into the outlet. Nothing.
I checked that the outlet was delivering power with both voltage detector and a volt meter. The outlet was getting power. I changed out the batwing and socket cord for another hood and cord, plugged them in and screwed in the 1K HPS bulb. Nothing.
At this time I contacted my electrical buddy and had him walk me through testing continuity of every cord that I had used and all were fine. I figured by now it must be the bulbs. So I try 3 different bulbs; one 1k HPS, one 1K MH, one 600w HPS. None of them work. My sparky buddy was at a loss, and I had a splitting headache, so I resolve to fix it in the morning.
Today I bring in both ballasts, the 3 bulbs, and the batwing and socket, to an outlet that I know works.I try out all the different combinations and check continuity from socket to plug to see if I had missed something. Nothing worked. So I go out to my grow to grab a bulb, that I know works, before the timer kicks on. I bring that bulb to check it with both ballasts and neither one fires it. I replace the good bulb back in my grow and when the timer kicked, it lit up.
At present, I cannot figure out if I have 3 bulbs that don't work, or 2 ballasts, or both. I'm heading to a local grow shop to see if they can figure it out, or have the digi ballast sent back to Sun Systems. Any advise or suggestions appreciated.
Thanks.
