Bulb not firing! need help quick

[FirstTracks]

Specs:
HTG supply>Digital Greenhouse Systems: 600w digital switchable ballast:agrosun bulb

Problem: bulb not firing.

Description:

I went to check n my room today and 6-8 hours into the cycle my light was not on. Power is going through the timer (15A mechanical) to the ballast, because the PC style exhaust fan built into the ballast is still running.

My light isn't even trying to start up, not even a glow. It was working fine yesterday, then all of a sudden today it's not working. I have no clue if the bulb burned out sometime this morning or just never came on.

I cannot confirm whether or not power is getting to the bulb. I tried unplugging the ballast to bulb cord and plugging it back in. It didn't make a difference.

The bulb does not look burnt out, maybe about an inch of light brown on the tip of the tube, but that's about it.

Here are the options I have thought of so far, but I need help here. Other options are welcome.

1) buy a new 600w bulb and see if its the bulb.
Problem: costs me $70+

2) take out the current bulb and plug in an expendable 250w bulb
problem: this may pop the bulb Will it just shatter in there?

3) buy a voltometer/whatever tool I need to check for power flow and check the current at the bulb.
problem:tools cost money



Please help me out. even if its just a guess. maybe something similar happened to you. anything.

I have a normal lightbulb running in the room at the moment to maintain the light cycle.

 

[FirstTracks]

bump

 

[sparkjumper]

I would buy a new lamp because even if its not the problem,you'll use it eventually if you plan on continuing growing for any length of time

 

[FirstTracks]

thanks sparkjumper
I know I'll need a new lamp sometime
Money is a bit of an issue at the moment.....unemployment sucks

Any clue whether a 250w HPS bulb would pop right away and cause a mess? If its the ballast itself I'd rather save money on a bulb for now.......I only have 3 months on this bulb and I know it should have plenty of time left on it.

Is there a good/safe way to check inside the ballast to see if the problem is the capacitor or ignitor? I don't want to shock myself to death...

 

[deepchunk]

i would go to kraigen auto and purchase a volt meter for under 20 dollars and check your voltage where the screws in it easy you may need the socket line and you can check your bulb by using the continuity of your bulb or take in your system to the local grow store and have the check it........... dc

 

[bterzz]

Sorry im not tons of help but recently my bulb burnt out and I was clueless to as if it was my ballast or bulb and it ended up being my bulb, best of luck getting the situation figured out.

 

[FirstTracks]

bterzz: what kind of ballast/bulb. age of bulb?

deepchunk: i might do that. Do i check on the inside of the bulb socket or somewhere on the outside?

 

[exploziv]

i'd not put a 250w into a 600w set-up...
and if i really want to do this, I'd be behind a wall when I fire it..
maybe try to put the 600w into a 250w set-up to see if it does something... (if you have the 250w set-up of course)

does the ballast make some noise when you start it? does it heats a little? the wiring is ok?

I think if you go at a local electrics store they would check the bulb for you... you can try this. also a voltmeter should be ok to have in the house, so if you find a good price on it you should buy it.

Good luck!

 

[FirstTracks]

I have a 150w HPS, but would I fry the ignitor/capacitor overloading them? my 250w ballast has a messed up cap or ignitor........never properly diagnosed, so that's out.

you think an air cooled hood (easy cool 6) would contain the shatter of a 250w bulb? and how probable is it that it'd pop and shatter on me?

Thanks again

maybe i'll use this for an excuse to move some of my stuff outside early.....
I really don't want to though.....all moms im keeping

 

[exploziv]

if you put a lower wattage ballast and igniter and a higher wattage bulb you will not overload the set-up. if there isn't enaugh power for the bulb to start, it would not start. if the bulb doesn't start in like 10 seconds you cut the power.

but if you'll try to put a bigger wattage set-up on a smaller wattage bulb, there could be some problems. also if the bulb blows there would be some force in the blast. that is why I said I'd do this only if I really need/want to do it, but standing behind a wall.

so if you will try something that the bulb wasn't designed to withstand, take all precautions you can! don't play with electric power...

 

[Wait...What?]

got a multimeter? that might show a burned out bulb. ive never tried it.

 

[hoosierdaddy]

Dewd...if it is digital, there is no capacitor or ignitor is there?

 

[FirstTracks]

at Hoosier:
I don't know at all whats inside it.

at smokin shogun:
I think HD/Lowes only carry up to 400w HPS sizes, though they might've changed that.

waitwhat: a multimeter might be the tool I was thinking of........i think i made up something before........voltometer? maybe not.....

 

[CoonLover]

Money is a bit of an issue at the moment.....unemployment sucks

Hey another unemployment grower!!
Nice to meet you.

Is there a good/safe way to check inside the ballast to see if the problem is the capacitor or ignitor? I don't want to shock myself to death...

Ya, unplug it..

 

[exploziv]

Be aware that some capacitors and other electronic parts could retain enaugh power to shock you to death. So be carefull!
(Don't know if a ignitor or capacitor from a bulb set-up could retain electric power... but it's better to be safe than sorry!)

I know this from a friend of mine which is an electronics engineer.

 

[hoosierdaddy]

The capacitor is what can hold the charge until it goes to ground. The way they work allows them to do this. They are actually a power storer, or battery of sorts.
Once taken to ground after being powered down, they won't hold any more charge. Just make sure it isn't you that is the ground.

But again, I am not certain that a digital unit has these items.

 

[Betty's Boy]

What you need is a voltage meter, if you want to know if your ballast or lamp are any good. You could also use a tick tester, which look's like a pen, and tell's you if you have power to a unit. It will beep and light up, but it will not tell you if your getting a full 110 or 220 volt's to that unit. for that you need a voltage meter. a little more expensive than a tick tester. Don't put a 250 w in a 600 w. All you'll get is a 250 that burn's real bright for a very short period of time. hell it could be a breaker for all we know. and to check if the ballast is good with a voltage meter or multimeter, where the bulb screw's in touch the very center with 1 probe and the side with the other..! Question's..?

 

[sparkjumper]

A capacitor can knock the shit out of you long after its been unplugged.If I didnt have a store that would check it for me,I'd have to get another lamp

 

[Schizophrenic]

Just purchase another bulb, either way its going to get used. G'luck

 

[FirstTracks]

Be aware that some capacitors and other electronic parts could retain enaugh power to shock you to death. So be carefull!
(Don't know if a ignitor or capacitor from a bulb set-up could retain electric power... but it's better to be safe than sorry!)

I know this from a friend of mine which is an electronics engineer.

yea, this is what I was asking about getting shocked....the capacitor issue.
hell, people can get messed up from a 400w tv capacitor, I'm sure my 600w could do some harm.

Coonhunter: the 'unplug it' comment is bad advice to be really honest. Just gotta say that so no one with the same problem comes through here and decides to take that advice.

I appreciate the attempt at advice......but its good to know about the subject first. no offense intended.

On a side note, nice to meet you too. I'm hoping to leave the unemployment crowd soon though. been wating on this one job to hire me for about a month...

What you need is a voltage meter, if you want to know if your ballast or lamp are any good. You could also use a tick tester, which look's like a pen, and tell's you if you have power to a unit. It will beep and light up, but it will not tell you if your getting a full 110 or 220 volt's to that unit. for that you need a voltage meter. a little more expensive than a tick tester. Don't put a 250 w in a 600 w. All you'll get is a 250 that burn's real bright for a very short period of time. hell it could be a breaker for all we know. and to check if the ballast is good with a voltage meter or multimeter, where the bulb screw's in touch the very center with 1 probe and the side with the other..! Question's..?

Exactly what I needed here. I think I can grab a voltage meter for $20-30 or borrow one from a friend. Probably will be my lowest cost/most effective option. If the bulb isn't getting power, I think I'll just call up htg and get a replacement if I can. I heard they're pretty good as far as that goes.



THANKS EVERYONE FOR THE HELP

Its nice to be able to find some place I can actually ask these questions......can't really go around to random electrician friends asking about my ballast..........almost the same as just walking them into my grow.

Any and all advice will still be considered. If you have any good ideas/experiences/advice, just pop in