Digital Greenhouse brand HPS

[gainesvillegreen]

A month or two ago, my friend bought a new 600w Digital Greenhouse HPS setup from High Tech Garden Supply. It's a digital ballast with a 2'x2' air-cooled hood/reflector. We had been running this 12/12 at my friend's house for the last 3 weeks or so with no problems when the thing just powered down 6 hours into the 12.

I didn't have much time when I got over to his house, but I checked over everything as quick I could. The bulb is definitely screwed in tight (as I'm aware this is a common problem) and everything was connected properly. When plugged in to the wall outlet, the digital ballast's cooling fan powers on, so I know that the ballast is receiving power at the very least. When I unplug the system, and plug it back in, the element inside the HPS bulb will flicker blue for a split-second and then shut back off, but never emit light.

It will be two days or so before I can get back over there to troubleshoot the light so I was wondering if anyone had any ideas or experience with this type of problem.

Thanks in advance-

[gainesvillegreen]

Ok, so here is a pic of the bulb; it is most definitely fried.

[Dutch Pimp]

Your the third person this month to report a problem with digital ballasts.

The main problem seem to be; not ALL bulbs are compatible with ALL digital ballasts.

I consider digital ballasts unsafe. Why?...1. not UL or ANSI rated.

Would you buy a toaster or microwave at Walmart that was not UL rated?....I doubt it...they would not sell them. There's too many digital ballasts on the market (on the Internet) made in Spain, China and East BumbleFuck that are unsafe. If it's electrical, it better have a UL rating on it...if not good luck.

[BlueBear]

I run a digi and two coil/magnetic and will choose my digi any day over the coils, unless I had to run a generator because mose generators can not run a digi. reasons why I like digi's, very little heat, about as much as a lap top, as quiet as a lap top, with out that hum, and have a significantly less power draw which allows me to use more if I wanted to. Most coil/magnetic ballast kits are not ul rated and in my exp, the DIY kits that most people buy are fire hazards to say the least, you need to find something that is strongenough to hold the 40Lb thing and something that is fire proof and not combustible, a light exaduration, but trying to make a point that imo the digi is just nice and convenient.
I think that most European growers would laugh at us for still using the magnetic ballast, but then again they are all about efficiency in their opps.
Last thing, I would not run any other bulb in a digi except a Hortilux for all of those technical and mythological reasons that you could probably find in some secret report. Also, the lumatecs 400's and 600's are top dog IMO and the Future Bright and Galaxies are pretty reliable in the 1K range.
Adieu

[greenhorngrower]

Your the third person this month to report a problem with digital ballasts.

The main problem seem to be; not ALL bulbs are compatible with ALL digital ballasts.

I consider digital ballasts unsafe. Why?...1. not UL or ANSI rated.

Would you buy a toaster or microwave at Walmart that was not UL rated?....I doubt it...they would not sell them. There's too many digital ballasts on the market (on the Internet) made in Spain, China and East BumbleFuck that are unsafe. If it's electrical, it better have a UL rating on it...if not good luck.


Digital ballasts are fine..:thumbsup:.. weed isnt FDA approved, you going to quit smoking now?

[greenhorngrower]

Oh yeah, as for the lighting problem.. you probly already know by now, but its the bulb.. the 600w growbrights are generic shit and are not compatable with the digi greenhouse ballasts.. they will replace it for free, most likely with an Agromax or something..:thumbsup:

[klondike_bar]

its not whether the government likes them, its whether they are truly safe and/or properly suited for your needs. if not, your putting yourself and the plants at risk

[greenhorngrower]

yeah, hence the whole ansi bit (American National Standards Institute)

Not every product you use has been approved by a Standard assessment organization.. but that doesnt mean the product isnt safe.. . They run about 150 degrees cooler for starters. When is the last time a digi has caused property damage? I dont think safety should be a huge issue when purchasing a digital ballast as long as its used properly.. imho they are far more superior to any magnetic ballast and the benefits far outweigh the negatives..

[gainesvillegreen]

When it comes to digital vs. magnetic, digital wins hands-down in my book. They are more efficient, longer-lasting, cooler, etc. etc..

The bulb was a piece of crap and was not intended for use in a digital ballast. Had I checked the bulb before he put it all together, I could have saves us both the trouble... but that's what I get for being lazy.

A new bulb is on the way and so I can begin to get back to the old game.

[greenhorngrower]

When it comes to digital vs. magnetic, digital wins hands-down in my book. They are more efficient, longer-lasting, cooler, etc. etc..

The bulb was a piece of crap and was not intended for use in a digital ballast. Had I checked the bulb before he put it all together, I could have saves us both the trouble... but that's what I get for being lazy.

A new bulb is on the way and so I can begin to get back to the old game.


yeah, I had the same trouble with the same system just 3 weeks ago.. htg was very helpful though..:D