Digi ballest took a crap

[ManicOrganic]

I got a 600w digi ballest almost a year ago. I used it for one grow, put it away for a few months, then I just busted it back outa week or so ago to flower some Heaven X ulitmate moonshines I had. It worked for the last week, but I just checked it today and it was out. Is there any way to trouble shoot the ballest to check for electrical promblems? The bulb looks fine, but I don't really know. Is there a way to check? Other than just buying a new bulb and putting it in? I have a good muti meter. If the bulb was bad would it have a ohm reading?


Any one with any ideas help me out here.

thx:MO

 

[GOT_BUD?]

It should have a measure of resistance, but I don't know how much. If you have zero resistance (a short) or an open circuit (meter reads nothing, not a short), then it might be your bulb.

But I really am just guessing based on my experiences in the electronics field. So take my advice with a salt block

 

[minds_I]

Hello all,

I would consider the bulb first.

minds_I

 

[Liam]

Good luck buying a new 600W bulb, they are a dying breed.

 

[thc43]

bought a 600wt globe two days ago cant see them vanishing over night or in the future imagin the $$$ phillips are making on just the 600wts(most commonly used size).

Is the ballast making noises eg click click trying to fire the globe? maby a fried smell? in ballast or timer. sounds like the ballast is the problem ive never had a globe fail. Check you havnt bumped the overload button or have the switch half way between MH and HPS if its a switchable ballast if running from a 4x way adaptor hit the reset or try pluging straight into wall.. may as well check the fuse/ meter box for tripped circit. Im no good with electrics either and dont like fires so i would normally take it back to place of purchace for a $15 send back to maker for replacement or quick fix or atleast a shop test with old globe.

 

[Guest]

Set your multimeter on continuity and do a check from the nipple to the screwshell.Most testers will beep if there is continuity.I'm 99% sure on this,100% sure on incandescent lamps

 

[ManicOrganic]

thanks guys

I'm almost sure it's the bulb. I got a OL reading on the old fluke. Too bad the bulb was rather new. I had heard the digi ballest burn em' up some times but it had worked good for a bit.

thanks:MO

 

[cocktail frank]

id say try the bulb too

 

[imnotcrazy]

Guys, HPS/MH bulbs are Arc tubes, there is NO internal connections. Just an anode and cathode at each end of the arc tube, unless the gas that the tube contains can conduct the small amount of electric current the multimeter uses to test for continuity you will get an Overload/open reading from the multimeter. They make specialized testers for flouroscent/HID bulbs for this purpose....

 

[cocktail frank]

im onto your tricks INC

 

[imnotcrazy]

Sorry off topic but:


You're onto my tricks, but your "current mood" says "CRAZY" and I'm not hahahaha