My HPS isnt working, what can i CHECK :)?

Just tried my ballst with HPS, its hanged properly [Hopefully] in the reflector.

Voltage is right for my country and i have barely anything else electric going. I turned on the ballast, [plugged it in] it started to do this buzzing. Like not loud, more it let me know it was working. But the bulb didnt light up, so i plugged it out immeditaly.


Is there something i can check? its 250W Analogue
I inserted the bulb holding it with a clean towel. Dont know if i screwed it in hard enough, but i was afraid it might break.

Thanks !

johnkallaha said:

Just tried my ballst with HPS, its hanged properly [Hopefully] in the reflector.

Voltage is right for my country and i have barely anything else electric going. I turned on the ballast, [plugged it in] it started to do this buzzing. Like not loud, more it let me know it was working. But the bulb didnt light up, so i plugged it out immeditaly.


Is there something i can check? its 250W Analogue
I inserted the bulb holding it with a clean towel. Dont know if i screwed it in hard enough, but i was afraid it might break.

Thanks !

Click to expand...

How long did you wait before you turned it off? Is it new? If not how old is it?

5 seconds! Its perfectly new, first run! Just checked the bulb again and it seems to be attatched properly- Cant screw it in more.

Takes a little bit for the bulb to fire up ...

yea magnetic ballasts can be a little iffy on start up, but with that said you can work the shit out of those little bastards and they can take it

Yep, wait a minute, I have a old 250 that takes a minute to fire

make sure you have a hps bulb with a hps ballasts or a mh bulb on a mh ballast. or if you have a switch. make sure it's on the right setting for hps/mh

My old faithfuls have already taken 5 minutes to fire up completely. Does it partially light or is there nothing happening at all ? Dont be afraid of that bitch twist that fucker in there tight enough.

If doing what chuck said above doesn't work, open up the ballast. Make sure no disconnected wires. Especially a wire that connects to the female outlet that you plug ur hood into. I've had it happen a few times with new ballasts. If that doesn't do the trick, order a new ignitor. It's always good to have an extra one around anyways. Can you check with a
Different bulb?

plug all in and give it 5 ..nothing, go return, bad bulb would be my first .. BUT GIVE IT 5 MIN

piss it off and invest in a new ballast. Stuff waiting 5 minutes for a bulb to light up these days.

So, i tried to light it up three times a couple of days ago. No response from the bulb whatsoever.... waited maybe 5-10minutes one time. Today i unscrewed and screwed back in again, slightly harder this time. It did light up in a manner... it flashed a blue/white light every 5 seconds and made a ringing noise. Whats wrong?

I just want my plants to get some light

johnkallaha said:

So, i tried to light it up three times a couple of days ago. No response from the bulb whatsoever.... waited maybe 5-10minutes one time. Today i unscrewed and screwed back in again, slightly harder this time. It did light up in a manner... it flashed a blue/white light every 5 seconds and made a ringing noise. Whats wrong?

I just want my plants to get some light

Click to expand...

Have you checked it out with a different bulb yet?
Have you opened ballast up, and checked for loose/disconnected wires? Have you ordered a new ignitor yet?
It's GOOD to have a replacement ignitor and cap on hand anyways, just in case this shit happens again down the road.

Aeroknow said:

Have you checked it out with a different KNOWN to be good bulb yet?
Have you opened ballast up, and checked for loose/disconnected wires? Have you ordered a new ignitor yet?
It's GOOD to have a replacement ignitor and cap on hand anyways, just in case this shit happens again down the road.

Click to expand...

ive been away since the day i wrote the thread. When i came home i re-screwed it, that was one advice and perhaps the first. I saw 2 flashes coming from the reflector and a buzzing noise, so i turned it off. Is it safe to keep it on to see if the light turns on even if it buzzes? =9 thanks

Magnetics buzz and flicker, its what they do. It will be buzzing all day, if ya want a quiet ballast ya gotta buy a digital. The flickering will stop after it warms up

Haha, i believe the Ballast is quieter then my fans. The Bulb makes the noise x)!

It should start immediately. The noise from my 10 year old ballast isn't really that noticeable. Somethings obviously faulty. Take it back. If you bought it on ebay, file a paypal dispute, not an ebay dispute.

There are a few tricks to run ...to make your HID gear last longer,

1: smear Vaseline on the thread of the bulb (makes it a lot easier to remove later, and prevent rust on thread or seat}

2: Never over tighten the bulb

3: Store the ballast when not in use on a study dry cool shelf, if you ever see OIL leaking from it, replace quick

4: Always Always have a spare bulb, or better replace bulb every year ...regardless

5:Always hang the ballast up above your waist, keep well away from water, below your waist, you ever get the ballast wet, hit the emergency off switch ..YOU DO HAVE AN EMERGENCY OFF SWITCH?

6: just before starting always, always wipe the bulb with iso or alcohol smear and soft rag, saves finger prints being burnt in(Hollywood trick)

good luck
"V"

OMFG, It just started!!!! I had been screwing it in too loosely. Now i did it with both hands and it finally LIT UP. I am sooo happy. Finally, goodbye CFL!!!