Apollo 4 ballast timer getting warm

[cfl...KING]

So I have 2 1000w galaxy ballasts each on their own Apollo 4 ballast timer. One is getting warm, the other isn't. Both are on their own 20amp circuit. One is a older galaxy 400/600/1000w ballast the other is a "newer" galaxy legacy de 600/750/875/1000w. Neither is on turbo mode, just plain 1000w. I just got them today, it isn't hot but it's warm, it's the one that's running the Galaxy legacy de.

I had already bought another good used galaxy ballast for my new room, it gets here Wednesday. Figured I may swap it out.

Any thoughts?

 

[Switcher56]

electronics due get warm by default (the dissipation of unused energy). Your post is a little ambiguous to me. If you have a way to check what the draw is of the device that is causing the "overheating" of said ballast. The draw should tell the tale... That is where I would start... but you need to carry out a controled experiment to get to the bottom of it IMHO. Good luck

 

[@peace]

So I have 2 1000w galaxy ballasts each on their own Apollo 4 ballast timer. One is getting warm, the other isn't. Both are on their own 20amp circuit. One is a older galaxy 400/600/1000w ballast the other is a "newer" galaxy legacy de 600/750/875/1000w. Neither is on turbo mode, just plain 1000w. I just got them today, it isn't hot but it's warm, it's the one that's running the Galaxy legacy de.

I had already bought another good used galaxy ballast for my new room, it gets here Wednesday. Figured I may swap it out.

Any thoughts?

Hey man I just looked up your setup. I would take that de ballast off that timer. Those timers are rated for a max of 1000W which you are at, I'm not a fan of running electrical safety equipment to their max at all times, but it is listed for that. The problem I think that you are having though is that those timers are rated for 60Hz and that doubled ended ballast runs at 110 Hz.

 

[cfl...KING]

Hey man I just looked up your setup. I would take that de ballast off that timer. Those timers are rated for a max of 1000W which you are at, I'm not a fan of running electrical safety equipment to their max at all times, but it is listed for that. The problem I think that you are having though is that those timers are rated for 60Hz and that doubled ended ballast runs at 110 Hz.

So replacing it with a regular galaxy legacy ballast would work? I have 2 on the way that were for my new 4k room.

 

[flower~power]

This may sound dumb and overly simplistic but it works for me since I’m usually running anywhere between seven and 10 ballasts at a time and they’re all mounted slightly off the floor by an inch or two and then I run small directional circulating fans to get a strong air current on each them ..Some of the newer digital ballast have internal fans already mounted in them (and that helps a lot)

 

[@peace]

So replacing it with a regular galaxy legacy ballast would work? I have 2 on the way that were for my new 4k room.

Depends on how long it was running warm like that. I personally would get a new timer for the new ballast. You do have a 20 amp circuit backing you though, it's just that if you did damage the timer it may eventually fail and test the circuit. A regular galaxy ballast should work on that model of timer no problem though as long as it runs at or around 60Hz. I would look at getting an intermatic if you are in a legal area. I have one of those timers and switched mine out to an intermatic

 

[@peace]

This may sound dumb and overly simplistic but it works for me since I’m usually running anywhere between seven and 10 ballasts at a time and they’re all mounted slightly off the floor by an inch or two and then I run small directional circulating fans to get a strong air current on each them ..Some of the newer digital ballast have internal fans already mounted in them (and that helps a lot)

I ran a fan on my ballasts as well. I am pretty sure he is talking about the timer getting warm though.

 

[cfl...KING]

Depends on how long it was running warm like that. I personally would get a new timer for the new ballast. You do have a 20 amp circuit backing you though, it's just that if you did damage the timer it may eventually fail and test the circuit. A regular galaxy ballast should work on that model of timer no problem though as long as it runs at or around 60Hz. I would look at getting an intermatic if you are in a legal area. I have one of those timers and switched mine out to an intermatic

1 12hour cycle. I have 2 intermatic 113 but seen these specifically made for 1000w ballasts an swapped.

The ballasts will be here tomorrow, I'll just run the single legacy 1000w tonight an ditch the de ballast

 

[cfl...KING]

This may sound dumb and overly simplistic but it works for me since I’m usually running anywhere between seven and 10 ballasts at a time and they’re all mounted slightly off the floor by an inch or two and then I run small directional circulating fans to get a strong air current on each them ..Some of the newer digital ballast have internal fans already mounted in them (and that helps a lot)

The ballasts then selves are normal temp. Its the Apollo 4 ballast timer that is getting warm.

 

[flower~power]

OK I understand I’m extremely low tech but just thought I would chime in

 

[cfl...KING]

OK I understand I’m extremely low tech but just thought I would chime in

Appreciate the input. I will keep the fan in mind for my new 4k room.

 

[@peace]

I would think that you are fine then. In my situation I have other people in the house so the thought of a fire makes me overly cautious. I also have a stab-lok panel as well and they don't have a great reputation for actually tripping breakers.

 

[cfl...KING]

I would think that you are fine then. In my situation I have other people in the house so the thought of a fire makes me overly cautious. I also have a stab-lok panel as well and they don't have a great reputation for actually tripping breakers.

I do too man, that's why even feeling the timer warm got me nervous. An then I seen a few posts about the 113hb timer only being rated at 8amp for a ballast I looked for alternatives. That's when I found the Apollo 4 ballast timer. Bgh has them on sale right now I'll probably order another one to have on hand

 

[@peace]

I have a T101 intermatic, they are the heavier duty ones. Yeah never a bad idea to have spare gear around. I have several spare extraction fans, waiting for "one day" lol.

 

[cfl...KING]

I have a T101 intermatic, they are the heavier duty ones. Yeah never a bad idea to have spare gear around. I have several spare extraction fans, waiting for "one day" lol.

I have an extra 6" maxfan too lol

Just ordered another Apollo 4 ballast timer they are on sale for $30 plus shipping. Just double checked an the 2 new(used) galaxy legacy ballasts I ordered are indeed 60hz like 1 of my ballasts is now an that timer never got warm. So hoping this will fix the issue and I'll sell the Galaxy legacy de ballast. Don't know why the hydro store sold me that ballast for a single end 1000w hps hood... Thank you for your help! I'll get back with results with the new ballast installed tomorrow night!

One of the reasons I haven't finished my 4kw room is how I'm going to control all 4 lights. 2 is one thing I just have them on 11hr45min each so even if they are off by say 5-10min it will still be 12/12.

 

[cfl...KING]

Half hour in with the new/used regular galaxy legacy ballast an Apollo 4 timer is not warm! I'll post back in a couple hours!

 

[cfl...KING]

After about 3hr the Apollo is slightly warm. Not like before but still not cool like the other. I do have a new one on the way. Thinking the other ballast may have effected it some.