Mars Hydro light won't turn off

Sofio · Sep 7, 2023

Hi my first grow and all going well, but the new light I bought is not working as expected. I turn the knob to off then the light go out. then a minute or so later they turn back on very dim but ON> I have nothing external--no app, no controller. Only using the fc4800 dimmer know to adjust.

Any ideas why the light does not stay in OFF condition? I saw where others had this but did not see the resolution posted.

Thank you

leatherbackturtle420 · Sep 7, 2023

Sofio said:
Hi my first grow and all going well, but the new light I bought is not working as expected. I turn the knob to off then the light go out. then a minute or so later they turn back on very dim but ON> I have nothing external--no app, no controller. Only using the fc4800 dimmer know to adjust.

Any ideas why the light does not stay in OFF condition? I saw where others had this but did not see the resolution posted.

Thank you

Not sure why its doing that, sounds like a driver or dimmer problem.
I went away from Mars when 2 of their lights caught fire on me.

And no, im not bashing Mars, because i know it can happen with any companies product.

Was just saying be careful is all.

Sofio · Sep 7, 2023

thanks for the warning my terrapin friend. An electrician said if it comes back on in the off position it must be shorted. I have written them and hope to get resolution. Sucks as I am about to go to flower in a week on first grow

TCH · Sep 7, 2023

Sofio said:
Hi my first grow and all going well, but the new light I bought is not working as expected. I turn the knob to off then the light go out. then a minute or so later they turn back on very dim but ON> I have nothing external--no app, no controller. Only using the fc4800 dimmer know to adjust.

Any ideas why the light does not stay in OFF condition? I saw where others had this but did not see the resolution posted.

Thank you

I would definitely reach out to @MarsHydrofactory and ask them about it.

ebgms · Sep 7, 2023

Get one of these, they are reliable as a heart attack:

Plug the main grow light power supply cord into the timer, then plug the timer directly into the wall and follow the instructions to set it to 12/12 or whatever schedule you want. It comes with excellent instructions.

I've used one of these to control my lights for almost ten years now: No problems, ever, and it's accurate to within +/- one minute.

It's good for up to 15 Watts at 120 Volts so if you're using an LED setup you won't even come close to that.

Link (to one of many vendors):

Intermatic 15 Amp 24-Hour Indoor Plug-In Timer, White TN311K - The Home Depot

Control your outdoor lights from your indoor space by using this excellent Intermatic Indoor PlugIn Timer White.

www.homedepot.com

hotrodharley · Sep 7, 2023

It’s probably your home wiring. Not the light. Contact an electrician who will come check your circuit to see if it’s properly grounded.

Sofio · Sep 10, 2023

ebgms said:
Get one of these, they are reliable as a heart attack:

View attachment 5324678

Plug the main grow light power supply cord into the timer, then plug the timer directly into the wall and follow the instructions to set it to 12/12 or whatever schedule you want. It comes with excellent instructions.

I've used one of these to control my lights for almost ten years now: No problems, ever, and it's accurate to within +/- one minute.

It's good for up to 15 Watts at 120 Volts so if you're using an LED setup you won't even come close to that.

Link (to one of many vendors):

Intermatic 15 Amp 24-Hour Indoor Plug-In Timer, White TN311K - The Home Depot

Control your outdoor lights from your indoor space by using this excellent Intermatic Indoor PlugIn Timer White.

www.homedepot.com

I decided to take your advice. The light does turn on randomly in the off position. The outlet checks out fine with a tester. It's a gfci bath outlet installed by lic electrician 20 yrs ago, so not old wiring. This timer works great for $17 at home depot

medidedicated · Sep 10, 2023

leatherbackturtle420 said:
Not sure why its doing that, sounds like a driver or dimmer problem.
I went away from Mars when 2 of their lights caught fire on me.

And no, im not bashing Mars, because i know it can happen with any companies product.

Was just saying be careful is all.

Crap I just bought two mars lights and now see all these comments about it…

edit I saw a comment or two about fire but every product can do that, I have brands that smoked up on people but now I see loads and loads of comments of that. I took the driver off and no cords touching the light, hoping for the best.

smoke and coke · Sep 10, 2023

Try plugging the light in without the timer and turn it on. Then turn it off and wait. If the light stays off then your timer is bad. The contacts in the timer may not be opening up enough.

If the light turns back on without the timer, then most likely it’s the switch on the light.

Does the gfi outlet test properly when you hit the test button, then reset button?

Cpappa27 · Sep 10, 2023

medidedicated said:
Crap I just bought two mars lights and now see all these comments about it…

edit I saw a comment or two about fire but every product can do that, I have brands that smoked up on people but now I see loads and loads of comments of that. I took the driver off and no cords touching the light, hoping for the best.

Mars light always ran hotter for some reason. Even some of their first ones, super heavy and super hot. I dont use them anymore though. Been using chinese brands and no problems so far.

Sofio · Sep 10, 2023

smoke and coke said:
Try plugging the light in without the timer and turn it on. Then turn it off and wait. If the light stays off then your timer is bad. The contacts in the timer may not be opening up enough.

If the light turns back on without the timer, then most likely it’s the switch on the light.

Does the gfi outlet test properly when you hit the test button, then reset button?

It was turning on before I even bought the timer. So def the switch. Thanks for the input. The GFI was tested with an outlet tester and showed proper install

Drop That Sound · Sep 10, 2023

Sofio · Sep 10, 2023

So it seems to me that something in the switch or proximity is making a contact randomly when in off position. It does not always do it. My dilemma is do I return it for safety concerns? The mech timer is a workaround I can accept, but is it safe? hmmm 4 more days to decide, just hate the hassle of returning

1212ham · Sep 10, 2023

Sofio said:
So it seems to me that something in the switch or proximity is making a contact randomly when in off position. It does not always do it. My dilemma is do I return it for safety concerns? The mech timer is a workaround I can accept, but is it safe? hmmm 4 more days to decide, just hate the hassle of returning

Did you contact Mars???

Sofio · Sep 10, 2023

Yes and they asked me for video and pictures. I did take video but haven't sent yet. I bought from amazon so it is still returnable. If I keep I will send the video and request they provide warranty service. I hope they would be willing to send me a new driver.

MyBallzItch · Sep 10, 2023

I bought a fc3000 because of testing on some site. When my light came it didn't test anything similar. I bitched them out and they sent me another light which was much warmer light and tested closer to the ones they sent to the sites doing early testing. I say that as an example of their business ethics but I still use the first light and it's been going strong after a few years. Both of my lights came with little switches near the knob to turn off/on. Are you saying you have the switch off or it's on with the knob turned down?

smoke and coke · Sep 10, 2023

Sofio said:
It was turning on before I even bought the timer. So def the switch. Thanks for the input. The GFI was tested with an outlet tester and showed proper install

One last thing to try would be to test the light on a different circuit that is not gfi protected. Just a process of elimination.

The light shouldn’t be a safety issue but with that being said, it’s a new fixture and no one wants a faulty fixture right from the start. I myself would reach out to Amazon for a replacement.

I have seen and still do where people change their bulbs in the recess lighting to led. Then I have to go and fix them because they flicker or are still on but dim when the dimmer switch was turned off. The problem was either the dimmer switch was going bad or most often was the dimmer switch was not rated for led bulbs.

smoke and coke · Sep 10, 2023

MyBallzItch said:
I bought a fc3000 because of testing on some site. When my light came it didn't test anything similar. I bitched them out and they sent me another light which was much warmer light and tested closer to the ones they sent to the sites doing early testing. I say that as an example of their business ethics but I still use the first light and it's been going strong after a few years. Both of my lights came with little switches near the knob to turn off/on. Are you saying you have the switch off or it's on with the knob turned down?

That’s a good question. Are you using the dimming knob to turn off the light or the on/off switch?

Sofio · Sep 10, 2023

smoke and coke said:
That’s a good question. Are you using the dimming knob to turn off the light or the on/off switch?

thanks, I'll clarify. The unit has a dimmer switch. It's a push button. Dimmer off and light is 100%. Dimmer on and the dimmer knob controls level. You are asking was it all the way down or off. It was off . IT actually clicks to the off position once you reach the lowest setting. I had it clicked off. No timer. Light not connected to any other devices. It turns on randomly. I suspect the dimmer knob. Thanks

Mars Hydro light won't turn off

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