Lumatec Dual 600

[Mr Blah]

I got a couple of these (Used) a yr ago.
Doing fine until one unit had one of the white reset buttons pop out and one bulb was out.
I shut off the 240 timer to push back in the reset. The thing was, even though the timer said OFF. The lamp that was on...was still on!
So I unplugged the ballast all together clicked in the reset button and plugged in the ballast to the timer. Big spark and the reset button popped out again.

Lumatec says there is something wrong with the cord from the hood to the ballast.
Before I go rip everything apart. Has anyone had this happen to them? Or have any suggestions?

 

[LEDfoot]

Have you checked the timer--I'm guessing the contacts got welded together.

 

[Mr Blah]

Have you checked the timer--I'm guessing the contacts got welded together.

Not sure if I know what you mean?
The timer was working when I went to the room cause one of the lights that are plugged into the dual ballast was on.

If I understand you; Do you mean that the power would still go threw the timer to power the ballast and have something welded together due to heat/arc?
Even if it was the timer contacts welded together why would only one be on?

 

[Mr Blah]

I kept it off for the rest of the 12 hr cycle. In hopes someone would know what went wrong.
I will try it tomorrow when lights are suppose to be on. First I will try it directly into the receptacle. Than I will try another 240 timer. Process of elimination will eventually get to the bottom of it.

 

[Jhhnn]

I'd start by taking the bulb out of the affected socket. If the reset doesn't trip, power down & try the known good bulb in that socket. You may just have a bad bulb.

 

[Mr Blah]

I'd start by taking the bulb out of the affected socket. If the reset doesn't trip, power down & try the known good bulb in that socket. You may just have a bad bulb.

That's what I thought also but the bulb is a month old (Hort eye).
and there is no crack and no blacking anywhere.

But I will try it. THanks

 

[LEDfoot]

Not sure if I know what you mean?
The timer was working when I went to the room cause one of the lights that are plugged into the dual ballast was on.

If I understand you; Do you mean that the power would still go threw the timer to power the ballast and have something welded together due to heat/arc?
Even if it was the timer contacts welded together why would only one be on?

Well, I'm guessing half of the ballast works and the other half created such a surge of current when it failed that the timer will always be "on" --the "switch" inside the timer is stuck together.

 

[Mr Blah]

I tried it with no Bulb with bulb. Same thing. Fucken toast.
I got an extra ballast so I'll have to pick another one up at the hydro store. I just can't figure out how to wire up. As it is I only have 240 socket for the dual, so I can only plug in one 600wat ballast. I got to pick up a light controller also.

The 12 plants that are in there are on week 7 of a 8-9week strain. Looks like I will be harvesting that room a little early.

 

[vein5]

Happened to me and the screws inside the light bulb socket were loose and it was shorting out.

 

[Mr Blah]

I'll check it out.
Thanks

 

[Mr Blah]

Well I finally opened the ballast up and everything looks fine, from what I can see. Everything is covered in that black shit. I mean everything.
I then opened the 240 timer and saw that one of the terminals had holes in it (right side) and all black from the arc. on the inside of the plastic timer.
I really don't dare to plug directly into the 240 wall rec.
Are these designed to run properly using one side while the other is shot?

So is this defiantly the ballasts fault? Or is it the timer?
If it was the ballast wouldn't I see some melting going on inside...anywhere?

The other 240 rec is still working which is daisy chained to this one.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[babelfish]

sounds like a fire hazard, my advice would be to replace.