Q about hps ignition

[michaelpeg]

i just bought an old 400 watt hps system and im not sure if it works or not because i plug it in and all i can hear is the buzz of the ballast but the light does nothing i have only had it plugged in for a few seconds because electricity kind of scares me and im affraid of getting electrocuted or starting a fire. how long does it take for a 400 watt hps to start giving off light? i know my 150 watt hps would let you know right away when you plug it in.

[michaelpeg]

also the bulbs are really old and used so nevermind i will ask this question once i try a new bulb

[killerweed420]

The light should come on almost immediately. You might pickup an ignitor and try to see if that works. Be sure to unplug the ballast before you do anything,and let it sit for about a half hour to let the electricity discharge. Both the ignitor and capacitor are very easy to change.

[PlainJane]

:thumbsup: killerweed420.

The ballast is meant for a 400w HPS bulb, right?

[Dutch Pimp]

i just bought an old 400 watt hps system and im not sure if it works or not because i plug it in and all i can hear is the buzz of the ballast but the light does nothing i have only had it plugged in for a few seconds because electricity kind of scares me and im affraid of getting electrocuted or starting a fire. how long does it take for a 400 watt hps to start giving off light? i know my 150 watt hps would let you know right away when you plug it in.

my 400 watt magnetic ballast has a buzz upon start up...and full light takes 3-5 minutes....maybe more?...I never timed it.

[PlainJane]

my 400 watt magnetic ballast has a buzz upon start up...and full light takes 3-5 minutes....maybe more?...I never timed it.

Blimey, that's a long time. I presume that is normal? Mine has a slight hum and takes a couple seconds from the time of the contactor click to show some light and gets steadily lighter for about a minute, probably no more. I am embarrassed to admit I am not sure if mine is magnetic or not. I suspect not because I don't get those funny dark stripes when I take photos under it. :p

Also, for the sake of safety, it is best to run your lighting system through a contactor. It handles the massive power loads of the ballast and spares many a fried timer and ultimately fires and failures.

[Dutch Pimp]

Also, for the sake of safety, it is best to run your lighting system through a contactor. It handles the massive power loads of the ballast and spares many a fried timer and ultimately fires and failures.

I use a manual timer designed for swiming pool pumps. $18. 15 minute increments available. I figured a pool pump timer can handle any jolt....:thumbsup:...never a problem.

Yours sound digital...ex. "dark stripes"

[DTRave420]

My MH conversion bulb takes a few seconds to fully ignite...My HPS light turns on immediately as soon as I hear the click of the timer...Both of my ballasts are HydroFarms...I don't know the model name of the 400 but the 600 is a HydroFarm "Power House"...:stoned:

[killerweed420]

:thumbsup: killerweed420.

The ballast is meant for a 400w HPS bulb, right?
It should say on it somewhere. Do you have a model number?
The ballast is the same but the ignitor and capacitor are different fpr hps and mh

[michaelpeg]

i know that when a bulb burns out there is still a faint glow, but is it possible for the bulb to not ignite due to the age? (5 years old)

[killerweed420]

Bulbs go out all the time so replacing the bulb is always the first place to start. Buy one and try, if that isn't it atleast you have a backup bulb now, which everyone should have. Its a real piiser to have a bulb go out in the middle of a grow and the nearest bulb is 4 days away.

[michaelpeg]

yeah that would suck for sure, when your bulbs go out do they still give off a faint glow?

[killerweed420]

I've only had one go out so far and didn't light at all.

[michaelpeg]

alright thanks guys it was just the bulb, everthing is good now:thumbsup: