URGENT HPS LIGHTING HELP NEEDED

[oliwog]

errm i dont quit know wot to do.
so i jus got me a 600 watt hps lamp to go in with me grow know ive connected the ballast to the lamp but i have an earth wire that runs from the reflector part but has nowhere to go on the ballast there is only 5 sockets for wires the one earht is connected up right but wot do i do with the other earth???????/
do i even need it??????????
also the bulb i got doesnt seem to fit in very easily i cant actually get it to fit properly in the lamp holder there is no connection how can i fix this
and one other thing i have 3 envirolights can i use one of the lamp holder from one of those will it still power the hps bulb properly??? they do look similar??
and how do i hang it or some how fix it wots the best way ive got some small chain given to me by a local grow shop and a poll that goes from one side to the other in my cupboard im jus cant figure the best way to do it if you get me
I NEED AN AWNSER ASAP IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

oliwog Reviewed by oliwog on 10-03-2006. URGENT HPS LIGHTING HELP NEEDED errm i dont quit know wot to do. so i jus got me a 600 watt hps lamp to go in with me grow know ive connected the ballast to the lamp but i have an earth wire that runs from the reflector part but has nowhere to go on the ballast there is only 5 sockets for wires the one earht is connected up right but wot do i do with the other earth???????/ do i even need it?????????? also the bulb i got doesnt seem to fit in very easily i cant actually get it to fit properly in the lamp holder there is no Rating: 5

[Weedhound]

Wow, good luck. Sounds pretty complicated to me.

[m.g.]

this is why most of us buy our lights in the kit so all the needed componants are in one box. trying to piece together high amp electronics is dangerous for the layman and best left to the pro's. if it were mine i'd pack up everything and take it to a licensed electrician...or send back to the company you bought it from and ask for a complete kit.

[GanjaBaby]

Oliwog,
You can attach the earth wire to any metallic part of the ballast that is not in contact with any of the other wires. The earth wires are used mainly to discharge small stray electrical currents. Also make sure that there is an earth wire running from your ballast to the socket plug.

As for the reflector it looks like the standard reflector with a mogul socket. And your lamp looks like it should fit fine. I had the same problem with my lamp, it is a little difficult to screw in, you feel like you are gonna break the thing, but its actually quite strong. Just make sure you apply enough force to keep the lamp in your grip but not too much lije the glass is going to break. Just keep screwing :-) It WILL fit, if it feels like its screwed in place, check to see where the metal part of the bulb is in relation to the socket, the metal part should be completely in the socket, if its a little out, screw some more :-)

Regarding the envirolights, im assuming you are talking about compact fluorescent lights, some of them can fit into the socket and run without a problem but make sure your envirolights have an auto ballast, if your lights look like this: http://www.agrolite.com/espanol/agrolite.php
and have a greenish thingy at the end where it connects to the socket then you should have no trouble screwing it into a proper ballast because the lights contain their own, which will just reducde the current/wattage that end up going to the lamp.

About hanging lights, chains work, good against heat and such, i personally use strong nylon rope found at almost any do it yourself store, as long as what you are using fits, and can support the weight of the lamp it will work.
Good luck with the grow man! Peace

[oliwog]

right i got the fitting sorted the one problem i got now is that theres a lot of current coming throught the earth and the bulb doesnt light properly is the ballast supposed to buzz anyone

[mistyganjatree]

the earth wires go together at the unit, and at the lamp, to the shade where you will find a nut and bolt, or maybe even a crimp conector!
simple enough for the layman! duh!

[oliwog]

tried both earths together on the ballast jus tripped out the power so thats not it whys it not workin anyone know

[oliwog]

this is rather urgent otherwise my plants will have to flower in darkness i dont think thats gonna happen no matter how much i want it to
i changed the holder for the bulb it fits in easily now
all connections are ok i think apart from the second earth still lotsa sparks when its touchin a metal part of the ballast and still no propor light jus a slight blueness goin dwn the middle help me please

[hudson88]

Turn it off and either call an electrician or take it to your grow shop and ask for help. Don't fry yourself or set fire to your place for the sake of one night.
Peace

[NewGrower]

I don't know if this will help you or not looks like a digital ballast to me but heres a link to how to wire hps and mh http://forum.grasscity.com/grow-room...ing-howto.html