HPS flickers, doesnt turn on

[plasticat]

I'm aquainted with a grow powered by a 400w HPS. Sometimes, when the light is plugged in, it just flickers (not bright at all!) instead of really turning on. A lot of the time it turns on after ~30 minutes, but somtimes not at all. As we are entering the last stages of flowering, it is very important that the light works! The light's cord is 3-pronged and the outlet is 2-pronged, so we are using one of those little convertors.. maybe thats where the problem is?
any help is muuuuuch appreciated

 

[SEEDYNONO]

sounds like you've already got it figured out.

to check plug it in a regular 3 pronged plug and fire it up..

 

[R4st4]

ive had same problem ...but that was cause the bulb was old..got a new 1 and now it turns on as its supposed to...

 

[Guest]

It wouldnt be because of the adapter,I'd try a different lamp

 

[Guest]

agreed, crap bulb. it's "cycling"

 

[Buzzsmirk!]

bad bulb (old) AND/OR the starter cap,
just my .02
peace!
BUZZ!

 

[Maj.PotHead]

in my sig you'll find a link for ballast trouble shooting

 

[irie-i]

maybe the cord from the ballast to the lamp is too long

 

[NiteTiger]

Gotta agree with the folks saying lamp

 

[plasticat]

damn... we've been using the bulb for like 2 months so i dont think its an age issue... i guess they could have sold us a bunk bulb.

 

[R4st4]

how old is the ballas, maybe its the ignitor

 

[stretchpuppy]

I've had this happen when I didn't screw the bulb in all the way.

I would hate to use one of those adapter with my 400w ballast... I'd get a new socket installed too.

 

[Guest]

I'm aquainted with a grow powered by a 400w HPS. Sometimes, when the light is plugged in, it just flickers

Ive seen this behavior from Hps/MH plugged into a circuit that was maxed out.. I think a 400 is about 5.5 amps (I dont remember) so it needs some decent power to light up. If you have that on a 15/20amp breaker with a bunch of other devices it may be fighting for power. Simply try it in another
circuit you know has room to spare before replacing parts, good luck

 

[Guest]

If the bulb is flickering. It sounds like the ignitor to me. If you where to be pulling to may amps. The breaker would trip on you. Sounds like the ignitor is not igniting the bulb.
Good luck,
BG

 

[Guest]

If you where to be pulling to may amps. The breaker would trip on you.

Not necessarily, as I just said, I experienced the same behavior on a maxed circuit *without* tripping the breaker for that circuit, Once again, I said maxxed, not overloaded.. Problem was solved by running a dedicated circuit with 80% utilization instead of 100%. take care

 

[Guest]

Not necessarily, as I just said, I experienced the same behavior on a maxed circuit *without* tripping the breaker for that circuit, Once again, I said maxxed, not overloaded.. Problem was solved by running a dedicated circuit with 80% utilization instead of 100%. take care

I guess its possible. Just saying what happen to me twice. I'm sure you could be right as well as i could be right. When dealing with electrical gear. Unless you use a meter to test voltage or ohms. There's no telling where the problem "might"be. I say get out the meter and start trouble shooting everything. Glad to see everyone trying to help out. That's why i love this place. I did run into two sun ballast that had bad ignitors. If you test everything with a meter. You'll find the problem soon enough. Good luck and take care everyone.
BG

 

[Guest]

I guess its possible. Just saying what happen to me twice.

Im sure its possible, anything is possible. However, before throwing parts & dollars at a problem the simple culprits should be explored and dismissed first, . Sometimes you need to read the tags (amp usage)on every device on that circuit to know your good to go. Grow on !

 

[Guest]

Im sure its possible, anything is possible. However, before throwing parts & dollars at a problem the simple culprits should be explored and dismissed first, . Sometimes you need to read the tags (amp usage)on every device on that circuit to know your good to go. Grow on !

No doubt, and you are totally right. I personally would do what you stated. The easiest and cheap way to start trouble shooting. Is to check the power draw and amp draw. Very quick and very easy, "But" if load is normal. I would then say it would be ignitor. LOL, not going to rest about the ignitor. Jokin. I hope to hear what the fix was. To much on one outlet will cause a few different problems. Take care and be safe.
Later,
BG

 

[treble]

I had this once myself... I had been using the lamp for about 2 weeks on my 3rd grow no probs then 1 afternoon it started flickering.... glad I was home... I was unsure what to do so I just isolated the whole grow space - electricity wise. Then I unhooked the ballast - 400w

My ambients were about 80 degrees which isnt too high. We can go 110 here easy.

I let it sit 30 mins and started it up again. No problems and none since.

As for power load on that circuit, it "may" have been an issue at that time but not likely, my power needs are pretty low 'cept for the lamp.

so perhaps consider heat as well as circuit load for your setup. Check to make sure the ballast can vent heat properly...

I also replaced my bulb just as a matter of course because it was getting on... but I cant recall if it was before or after this incident.

treb