Digital Lumatek 600 watt Popping fuses

[onahah]

Does anyone have an idea of why a 600 watt lumtaek may be popping fuses? I have opened it up to take a quick peak around and everything seems to be fine. I see no charred black stuff or smell any burnt chemicals.

The Power Plug did melt up a bit it appears. It was hard to get off. I only have one thing on the wall outlet (the lamp). Appears to have happened two times now, since i added a digital timer to the mix... Would that be the problem maybe?

 

[nephilthim]

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I would run a surge protector before your timer,melted plug?if the light flickers with normal appliances say a t.v. or a heater,plug them into suspect outlet ,and see if they or other house lights flicker when turned on.
if so you have a bad connection somewhere in your electrical line that is building up heat and resistance hence the breaker popping.
I would suggest check fuses,or panel and see what each circuit is using power.better yet find another circuit or plug.

 

[onahah]

Im sorry, i should have been a bit more specific with the information. The fuse that i am writing about is the actual fuse that is in the ballast itself.

It comes with a small 5 x 20mm 10a 250v fast blowing fuse located under the plug on the ballast that goes to the wall. The fuse has now popped two times since i had connected this new timer.

I cant find any fuses around me, so it sucks and im going to have to order them..


I have since opened my ballast again and seen some resin deposited around the heat sink (the actual part we see and touch, the purple). The back of the plastic where the prong that had melted the wire connected to the wall looks to be heated up substantially.

Does anyone know if a digi ballast sets on fire or the black stuff keeps it controlled.

I am asking because im wondering if i should buy the fuses or get another 600w.

And then im going to ask the question that everyone aSKS.......

who would upgrade from a 600 to a 1000 watt..

does anyone know what kind of warranty comes with a lumatek, i have had it for maybe 1 1/2 yrs..

 

[sparkjumper]

I would upgrade being a 1K user and those in-line fuses are there so the internal wiring doesnt catch on fire in case of overload which it definately sounds like you have a problem with.I dont know anything about digi ballasts I'd get some old fashioned 1K magnetic ballasts and grow.I've heard too much weird stuff about digi ballasts and timers and I never have problems with my ballasts

 

[onahah]

thanks

thanks

sparkjumper: thanks for the info. i actually have a 1k magnetic ballast, and just made a post about the temps about it in the grow designs forum. I have never had a problem with that ballast and i have had it twice as long as the 600 and it has been non stop burning. I guess im going to have to upgrade to a 1k.

I went to radio shack and the guy also said if the wiring on the wirre that goes to the outlet had melted, it would be a seriouis internal problem. i didnt tell him what i was using, just that my power cord had melted. (he was a older gentleman who appeared to have a good knowledge about electroinics)



Next question, where would you order from. i had ordered from mdhydro but they sent me a bent up 600 lumatek that had scratch marks and was painted with a damn purple marker!

thanks for even lookin all

 

[Sundance]

Call Lumatek directly 866-369-8943 ... and tell them what is happening

I am sure they will sort you out

Take excellent care

 

[onahah]

Hey sundance, thanks for the info! Do you think they will do it just like that?! im hoping so! kind of bummed out if i have to buy another one so quickly!

Magnetic over DIGI!

just kidding, i just had a defective one it seems

 

[TroubleGuy]

Lumateks have a 3 year guarantee. Lumatek will replace/fix it for you, just let them know what it's doing and they'll sort it for you.

I'm using a 1,000 and haven't had any problems. i think you're right though, you had a defective one

 

[onahah]

called lumatek and they told me to
Call the place I bought it from. I can't find the invoice from when I bought it. Gonna be rough if they don't got records :-(

They are closed today. On the website it says returns after 30 days should go through the manufacture warranty.. Would anyone suggest I call lumatek back? I have had the ballast since nov, 07

edit:
*found the invoice!* hope they replace. have to wait till tueday

 

[TroubleGuy]

There's a 3 year warranty. One of them is gonna replace it for you, otherwise you have certain legal recourse if you choose to take advantage of it.

 

[vlady8me]

How'd this turn out for you? might be getting the same thing myself....

 

[onahah]

Stepped it up.

Stepped it up.

I got rid of it and got me a new one. i like 1ks better.