First off, hello all. This is my first post on this site but surely not the first time I've gotten help off it. I could not find anything like this in pervious posts. My ballast is hooked to a timer and I've recently noticed that the bulb doesn't always turn on, the ballast kicks up fine but the bulb comes on for half a second then turns off and the ballast stays running. It's getting so bad where the bulb only comes on once every 5 or 6 tries.. I don't touch my bulb with bare skin, it's about 2 years old with two grows, it's a 400w mh bulb, ballast is dimmable. Also I've gotten a burning smell off of it a couple times recently. Like burning rubber but there's no plastic there and the pots are not burning. That's all the info I could think of that might be relevant plus extra probably. Help would be greatly appreciated
911! Emergency!
- Thread starter Bud421
- Start date
bird mcbride
Well-Known Member
Check the socket?
CouchlockOR
Active Member
If it is a magnetic ballast there are only a few things it could be.
1. Check the bulb with another ballast
2. Bad ignitor
3. Bad capacitor
A grow shop can do the testing for you. Or you can cross check with another ballast.
To me it sounds like either a bad bulb or ignitor. You can find you tube videos on replacing the ignitor.
This is assuming that the bulb is screwed all the way in.
If it smells like something burned that could be a cap.
1. Check the bulb with another ballast
2. Bad ignitor
3. Bad capacitor
A grow shop can do the testing for you. Or you can cross check with another ballast.
To me it sounds like either a bad bulb or ignitor. You can find you tube videos on replacing the ignitor.
This is assuming that the bulb is screwed all the way in.
If it smells like something burned that could be a cap.
It's all the way in, took the bulb out and put it back in once or twice to be sure. And sorry it's a digital ballast. I'm going to go plug in my hps bulb and see if it still happens. If it does, it's probably the ballast. I'll get back to you guys soon! Thanks for the speedy replies
bird mcbride
Well-Known Member
We're waitin' on ya
CouchlockOR
Active Member
Honestly I would consider using a T-5 set up rather than the MH. You get better dense growth. And cooler temperatures. Also MH bulbs are not rated to be used without a sealed hood as they are not listed to do so. When MH bulbs start to go out they can literally blow up which is why they need to be in a sealed hood. MH bulbs contain mercury witch makes them a hazard. I had one blow up on me before. What a fucking mess. Since the bulbs contain mercury they can not be put into the trash. MH is a pain. IMHO
Mr.J420
Well-Known Member
The smell of burning is cinda scary, makes me wonder if your ballast is on the way out, is it a cheap china import or name brand? You can try to swap out the bulb first which is cheaper. I had a 400w mh bulb turning on then off then just stayed off no visible problems never touched, not even 2 years old but no smell of burning. You should also check the timer, although unlikely.
lowrider2000
Well-Known Member
try kicking it
Mr.J420
Well-Known Member
If kicking it doesn't work then get a hammer.
CouchlockOR
Active Member
So I just tried putting a different bulb in and the problem stopped, I'm guessing my mh bulb is bad.. Oh well. Cheaper than getting a ballast. The burning smell I'll ignore until it comes back again. Anyone in here able to make a suggestion on what bulb to get? I need a 400w mh(not going cfl because my grow room is very cold and actually needs heat 24/7 in winter) I have grown with cfl for veg and know about the pros and cons. I'm not quite sure if all 400w metal halides will work with my 400w dimmable ballast, first time replacing to be honest.
Anyone in here able to make a suggestion on what bulb to get? I need a 400w mh(not going cfl because my grow room is very cold and actually needs heat 24/7 in winter) I have grown with cfl for veg and know about the pros and cons. I'm not quite sure if all 400w metal halides will work with my 400w dimmable ballast, first time replacing to be honest.
CouchlockOR
Active Member
Good idea. Until then be careful when burning that bulb.
haulinbass
Well-Known Member
florencents contain mercury as well fyi.