More lighting questions!

[TamyLove420]

My 1000 watt HPS light says I can only run the light for 12 hours. I'm in the veg stage and I wanna run it for 18 hours. Can I do that even though the box says no?

TamyLove420 Reviewed by TamyLove420 on 01-13-2011. More lighting questions! My 1000 watt HPS light says I can only run the light for 12 hours. I'm in the veg stage and I wanna run it for 18 hours. Can I do that even though the box says no? Rating: 5

[keylime]

I'm sure you can. HPS is generally used in flowering where you need only 12 hrs....but it can also be used in vegging. Should be no problem.

keylime

[TamyLove420]

but is it safe to run the ballast and the bulb for 18 hours?

[TANKJR]

Yes, they tell you this to try to keep you from overheating the ballast or bulb....as long as fans are involved and keeping things cool, you can run it 24/7 on, so 18 on is not a problem at all....ck the temps of the ballast, plug, cord, etc occasionally to make sure they are just warm and not hot...hot is a problem, (generally means a loose or bad wire connection) warm just means it's working right. :jointsmile:

[WashougalWonder]

Yes but the poster has been posting how hot the ballast is getting, to the point of melting plastic.

[GaGrown]

Is the ballast a digital or magnetic one?
If magnetic? I would unplug it and open the box and check the capacitor.. and all componets for scortch or burning,even melting. That would be where the problems start. Even at the plug end. Is it a 3 prong plug? Or has it been broken off,GROUND PRONG.. Is it HPS only? Is it under warranty? New? Used?

If used,then it has probably been used past it's lifespan.. Componets should be replaced,then. Depending on how long it was in use.

[TANKJR]

Yea, she has another thread that says the hydro store replaced it...she had a red hot bad ballast.

[GaGrown]

Yea, she has another thread that says the hydro store replaced it...she had a red hot bad ballast.

Guess I missed that one... Cool!:thumbsup::stoned:

[TamyLove420]

Is the ballast a digital or magnetic one?
If magnetic? I would unplug it and open the box and check the capacitor.. and all componets for scortch or burning,even melting. That would be where the problems start. Even at the plug end. Is it a 3 prong plug? Or has it been broken off,GROUND PRONG.. Is it HPS only? Is it under warranty? New? Used?

If used,then it has probably been used past it's lifespan.. Componets should be replaced,then. Depending on how long it was in use.

its new and its a magnetic ballast. it takes both hps and mh lights...i think im doin ok now...i have a cooling fan blowing on the ballast and it seems to be staying at a nice temp.

[TamyLove420]

another question....Can I use 2 cfl lights on each side of my hps light? would it be good for vegging?