Help!!! - Plugging into the wall, remote switch, surge protector shot!!

Can I plug straight into the wall? -- I'm worried that the electrodes will get jossled and my bulb will go bad -- If I remember correctly, I've seen this with lightbulbs where if they aren't secure they go bad or maybe too if the power goes up and down.

I'd prefer having an on off switch on the side of the wall, I run practically all the time (veg). -- suggestions for a outlet switch?

it is around 150w hps remote ballast / reflector & bulb.


Thanks

Hardwire an intermatic timer into the line off the plug and branch it to a box.
Only do electric work if you feel comfortable and competent doing so. Otherwise hire an electrician.

Your worry isn't really a worry unless the plugs are old/worn or wired improperly, or if the load exceeds 80% of the rating of the line and breaker on the rest of the run. You can get a tester to test if it's wired in reverse and if it's grounded.

no need for electrical work, it all has outlet and uses less electricity than a gaming pc's power supply

My question is does an intermittent change in power to a bulb cause it to go out?
You bring up a question in my mind, -- what happens if a ballast is running with a dead bulb'

-- I've never seen anything on that before... --

K. Good luck.

Jjgrow420 said:

K. Good luck.

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While not exactly intuitive -- something is off here
Why an intermatic timer why not?

Plug it in. Look at commercial lighting controllers, those are just a circuit breaker in a box with a bunch of outlets wired to it.
Some of them, like this one, have no visible breaker devices, probably relies entirely on the panel to trip if there's an issue.

You don't need one of these if you run 1 light these are for when your running multiple high output lights.

Greggl102 said:

While not exactly intuitive -- something is off here
Why an intermatic timer why not?

Click to expand...

Just gave you an option to feel better. There's many ways of going about it. Plugging a 150w light into a wall receptacle shouldn't have any problems and I think you're diving deep down a rabbit hole you don't need to but hey if that's what you want I'm just giving you an option.

I had a bulb go out on me while I was away, while the device was disconnected entirely from any power -- (the cord was out)

I suspect somebody who fancies me may have tried to illuminate my device by plugging it into the wall 120v AC outlet -- or it could have been me while I was above the reflector fiddling with the surge protector reset button

thing was from like 1985

I have faint memories of turning burning out bulbs, (1 hps, mostly incadescent) and have heard something on this, so I cme here to have it brought up again - as I could find very little information on it doing a google search with the terminology I know -- I'm sure it is somewhere?

Just wanted the fellow growers to know too

and possibly find out why plugging straight into the outlet, or the toted "On/off" can cause the arcing that can cause bulbs to burn out instantly
I suspect this was the case,
but
I'd like to know how it works

My aim in the last post was to generate discourse on if ,and why, plugging into the outlet while on will ruin a bulb.

this way I can find more information on the topic, using relevant search term keywords

& alert the future generation of HID growers

I don't understand what you're asking.

The moment you apply power and the bulb heats up is the most stressful part of its life cycle, and also the time when it's most likely to burn out. If there is a loose or intermittent connection, whether it be in the outlet, the switch, or the bulb socket itself, that's even worse for the bulb.

I'm so confused.

you know how when you plug a cord into a wall it sparks sometimes?

my ballast has no on off switch, if it gets plugged into the wall - which it shouldn't, what happens? and why?

why shouldn't it get plugged into the wall

I think the answer has to do with arcing or power jumping on / off within the light bulb and that is what kills it instantly--


I'm asking if someone can elaborate on why ballasts should not be plugged straight into the wall. - meaning inserting 3 prong into wall outlet by hand**

I have the feeling that if the 3 prong was smacked into place just right, it wouldn't cause intermittent connection, but inserting a 3 prong into the wall by hand, likely causes the arcing-- and that quick on/off/on fire up that may be the result of a few spark zaps happening back an forth is what is destroying brand new bulbs

Greggl102 said:

& alert the future generation of HID growers

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You've come to the right place. Maybe we can help you find a nice safe led fixture, eh?

Okay I think I see what you're saying.

If you're worried about possible arcing or intermittent connections when you plug directly into a hot outlet, just use a power strip with a switch, and use the switch to turn the bulb on and off. I don't really think it should be a concern either way, since you have the ballast between the outlet and the bulb.

If you switch to LEDs you won't have to worry about such silly things...

One word.
Upgrade.