my xtrasun 1000w switchable ballast quit working

kevin

kevin

Well-Known Member
without warning my light quit working. i checked all the obvious things, i tried both bulbs and neither light up. i took the top off and didn't see or smell any burnt wiring or parts. what are the most common problems with these units. or maybe a link to a diagnosis flow chart. i tried all the search engines without much luck.
 
tricka

tricka

Active Member
yeah what Jesus said i will have a look for ya tho....need to know whether its a new digital-some can be cheap, or a magnetic one
 
kevin

kevin

Well-Known Member
it's a magnetic and the light quit working while the light was on. you can hear it hum but neither light even tries to flicker. it looks just like a working unit so i don't think pics will help much.

jesus of Cannabis said:
digital or magnetic? pics would help.

is it plugged in?
Click to expand...
 
M

mrmadcow

Well-Known Member
if the ballast is humming,the god news is the most expensive part(the ballast) is most likely good.the HPS side needs a capacitor and an ignitor While the MH only uses a cap &normally, the cap has a different value between HPS &MH.pop the lid & check it out(here is where a picture of the inside would help). the ignitor will have 3 wires but the cap only 2.
since neither work, a good bet is the ignitor is ok & if the unit has 2 caps,the odds of both going are slim but if only 1 cap.....
my guess would be a faulty switch or poor connection.
:!:WARNING!:!:- the capacitor stores juice like a battery and can zap you even after being unplugged! carefully short the 2 terminals out to discharge before playing w/ any wires inside.
 
kevin

kevin

Well-Known Member
we use to load up automotive capacitors and leave them laying around for unexpecting folks. these wer'e half the size of a dime roll but carried one hell of a punch, i could imgine what this big one would do. since the lamp quit working while it was running i'm going to start with the capacitor.

mrmadcow said:
if the ballast is humming,the god news is the most expensive part(the ballast) is most likely good.the HPS side needs a capacitor and an ignitor While the MH only uses a cap &normally, the cap has a different value between HPS &MH.pop the lid & check it out(here is where a picture of the inside would help). the ignitor will have 3 wires but the cap only 2.
since neither work, a good bet is the ignitor is ok & if the unit has 2 caps,the odds of both going are slim but if only 1 cap.....
my guess would be a faulty switch or poor connection.
:!:WARNING!:!:- the capacitor stores juice like a battery and can zap you even after being unplugged! carefully short the 2 terminals out to discharge before playing w/ any wires inside.
Click to expand...
 
P

purple*afgani

Member
Hello every one !!
I have a similar sitiation.. my digital e-ballast 1000w is making a sizzling sound like frankenstien electro rods.. the light works fine but now I have this hummin noise.. any insights or advice would be appreciated. I am also handy with a soldering iron. so I will get into the trenches np.

thanks ppl

also the HPS makes the noise the MH does not and both bulbs will come on.
 
kevin

kevin

Well-Known Member
a capacitor fixed my problems. hopefully someone can help you out.

purple*afgani said:
Hello every one !!
I have a similar sitiation.. my digital e-ballast 1000w is making a sizzling sound like frankenstien electro rods.. the light works fine but now I have this hummin noise.. any insights or advice would be appreciated. I am also handy with a soldering iron. so I will get into the trenches np.

thanks ppl
Click to expand...
 
H

hard2want35

Member
mrmadcow said:
if the ballast is humming,the god news is the most expensive part(the ballast) is most likely good.the HPS side needs a capacitor and an ignitor While the MH only uses a cap &normally, the cap has a different value between HPS &MH.pop the lid & check it out(here is where a picture of the inside would help). the ignitor will have 3 wires but the cap only 2.
since neither work, a good bet is the ignitor is ok & if the unit has 2 caps,the odds of both going are slim but if only 1 cap.....
my guess would be a faulty switch or poor connection.
:!:WARNING!:!:- the capacitor stores juice like a battery and can zap you even after being unplugged! carefully short the 2 terminals out to discharge before playing w/ any wires inside.
Click to expand...
i have the same problem my ballast hums i tried changing bulbs using the the cords from the other ballast ive definitely concluded its this ballast took the cover off the end right now money is an issue is there a way to test either the capasitor or ignitor
 
Kind Sir

Kind Sir

Well-Known Member
I was going to get xtrasun 1000watt hps not the mh just hps...is it a decent brand? Complete grow light for 350
 
PapaBill66

PapaBill66

Member
old thread I know but seeing how easily they are to fix I am gonna go this route,
Just found a guy who wants to sell 2 of them for 50 bux and their switchable
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top