New Digital Ballast Possible Problem Need Advise

So i've been running a new virtual sun 1000 watt digital system and after a few hours of running smooth i noticed that the light intensity was slightly fluctuating. Its not very noticeable but after staring at my plants for ten minutes i was sure that the light kept slightly dimming then getting bright again.

I was wondering if its just because it is a new ballast or something and it will go away{i feel like my older one used to do this but cant remember...}

Or maybe it is faulty and i should bite the bullet and return it now while i still can.

Also it is running on a 25' extension cord that is warm with the 1000 watt load.

Any input is appreciated. thanks in advance.

I already don't like what I hear....extension cord??? Make sure it's rated for the draw of ur ballast or u will burn ur place down. Dimming can be caused by many factors such as a faulty transformer(city), or the step up tranformer in ur ballast itself. I'd look in the cord first as voltage drop will occur over distance. I've seen dimming in many industrial buildings due to the city transformer being faulty. If thats the case, it will not only affect ur supply voltage but many other services being fed by the same transformer.

I agree with Ilovebush. You have a fire hazard.

Get something a lot heaver, like a contractors extension cord, or dryer cable.

ya that was my first feeling when i felt the warm cord, it is normal home depot extension cord not sure of gauge but i thought it was rated at over 1500 watts at 120 and it is warm from 1000 for a few hours{possible faulty outlet or wiring??} does longer distance increase heat or something?. When is dims it is only for a split second then it goes back to normal. I dont think it is the city b/c my other 1000 works normally and it is not on an extension cable..

I am just confused why the extension cord would cause a flicker rather than just a complete failure or constant dim effect. but im going to switch the outlets and see if it stops the flickering. and pick up some heavy duty extension cord tomorrow{need to use extension to spread out watts over to breakers lol caused a fire hazard trying to make my room safer.. doh}

Thanks for the help

Think of electrical as plumbing...the flow of electrons/holes (amperage) is disrupted over distance because its push potential(voltage) is reduced. The transformer cannot rectify the supply as it oscillates with reduced voltage and thus the flickering. It creates a bottleneck effect over distance reducing the ability for amperage to be supplied at a constant rate. I won't get into the calculation but every conductor is rated for a loss of power over distance. It's basically as distance increases so does the resistance in the conductor. Try a heavy duty cord as you mentioned and see if that fixes ur problem. I'd go with 12/2 BX (armoured cable) if you can get your hands on it. Message me and let me know what happens...glad to help.