**HELP: 1000 watt HPS switching off on me****

[madpenguin]

Dude... I can't believe they are coping out and sending you a capacitor. Sure, that could very well be the problem but make sure there is a discharge resistor in your ballast before you go poking around. It should be within the ignitor or across the terminals of the capacitor.

It should have one but never assume. If your capacitor isn't properly discharged before you replace it you could be in for a surprise. Nothing is a "drop in piece" on a ballast unless you know what your doing. They just don't want to pay to have a new ballast shipped to you is all that's happening.

But yes, that could be the problem. That's why I suggested returning the ballast.

 

[Hydro-Soil]

They just don't want to pay to have a new ballast shipped to you is all that's happening.

That was my first thought as well. Shipping an iron core around is expensive.

 

[madpenguin]

Your not kiddin'. Those mugs are heavy.

I'd also check your papers and make sure it's not going to void any manufactures warranty by performing work yourself.

Up to you but they are trying to pull a fast one on you, no doubt.

 

[spyvsspy]

Thats exactly what I was thinking. I said on the phone "I need to return my bulb and ballast", and as soon as I said "ballast" he quickly seemed defensive and asked me why. I understand that they are heavy and expensive to ship, but it definitely seemed like a cop out to me. He asked "are you mechanically inclined" and I told him "I can plug it into the wall and I'm pretty good with a Skilsaw," just joking, obviously I have no idea what I am doing inside of a ballast.
He then acted as if he was looking something up and told me it is a "drop in piece".........we'll just have to wait and see.

Good point on the warranty madpenguin...hadn't thought of that one. I'm going to call and make sure that doesn't void the warranty. On the warranty sheet it says, "systems modified in ANY way will void warranty"...........hmmmmmmm, I'm going to have to get a little clarification on that before I go poking around in there.

Thanks for all the advice and sticking with me madpenguin and HydroSoil, yall are good people, and I wish all the best juju to both of you. :friends:

I'll let yall know what happens once I get my new bulb, "drop in" capacitor and a little inspection from my electrician friend.

Thanks again madpenguin and Hydro-Soil. -spy

 

[spyvsspy]

GOOD NEWS!!!!!
SO I sent my bulb back to HTG and they sent me a replacement AgroMax 1K bulb. They forgot to include the capacitor that they said they would include, so I was hoping and praying that the new bulb would work........ plugged it in, switched on the AC and HALLELUJAH!!! The light didn't even flinch. They said it was probably a lack of gas in the arc, which caused it to extinguish whenever there was a slight dip in electricity.

SO, no need to rewire my house, get a new ballast, etc.................

Thanks again for the help Hydro-Soil, cocktailfrank and madpenguin, mad kudos to all of you!!!
Grow on, -spy

 

[madpenguin]

That's interesting....

I thought you said you had taken your bulb into the shop and it worked tho.... Without inducing a load on that same circuit in the shop, it really wouldn't have been much of a test tho.

Glad it's sorted.

 

[Hydro-Soil]

Enjoy!

Now you can thoroughly test your ventilation setup. Time to bake a batch of stinky stuff in the oven!

 

[Photorikki]

Bulb Cycling.

Bulb Cycling.

guys-

I have 2 400 watt HPS from HTG also and the same hing is happening to me!
The light cycles.

I finally returned the bulb for a new one and now my second 400 watt is doing the same thing the first one did!
Both are just a few months old.

I live in a studio apt in an apt building and I don't have breaker box here to determine seperate electrical lines. All my lights dim when the fridge kicks on.

How the heck to resolve this?!?!