Magnetic Ballast can fry chicken

[onahah]

I have magnetic ballast, sun supply. sun leaves supply, that gets ridiculously hot. its a hps/mh burning ballast.

I really never touch the thing while its on, but i was attempting to move it from its position while it was on and noticed i can only put my fingers on it for a mere few seconds! Ive recently read about the guy on the forums whos ballast started giving off smoke because his capacitor broke and it got me a bit nervous

 

[sparkjumper]

Thats impressive can it also boil rice?I looove arroz con pollo.I've never heard of a hps/mh ballast what wattage is it?

 

[LolaGal]

Onahah: I got 3 of the Sun Systems 6 400 MH/HPS ballasts, and none of them run that hot! Something is surely wrong! I can hold my hand on any of them for as long as I care to.

Is it in an enclosed space? If so, better get a fan on it!! Be careful, something is definitely wrong!

 

[Haps]

My K's are not that hot either, nor a 400, warm to slightly hot.

 

[sin-seed]

I have two 1k HPS SunSystem ballasts, and they ARE that hot. I can only touch them for a few seconds. They are still under warranty, so maybe I'll take them to the hydro shop and have them checked.

 

[antimatter]

Another good reason to keep them in boxes and not mount them onto plywood like some do..

 

[Phillthy]

Another good reason to keep them in boxes and not mount them onto plywood like some do..

Agreed. Keep them on wire shelves and have a fan on 'em.

 

[onahah]

Thanks

Thanks

thanks for the advice all. Im not saying it can really fry a chicken as i dont have a thermometer on it or have tried lol, but it is pretty damn hot!

Its not in an enclosed area, and i have to say that this thing is from... 1999? I seen a date on it that was from 1999 but im not sure when it was first used etc. got it on ebay 2-3 yrs ago. And i didnt know how old it was then

Sounds like two new fuckin ballasts have to be bought lol! anyone have a website to reccomend? im in the market for 2 1ks now. or maybe a 1k and a t600 watt my did lumatek burnt.

I was using the 600 in a 3x3 ft tent on a 6" vortex with can66.. should i just upgrade that to a 1k, or is it too much for a 3x3 tent?

 

[Hammerhead]

Change to digital Ballast less heat more efficient more lumen output.

 

[onahah]

Still Havent

Still Havent

I still havent gotten around to upgrading this 1k to another digi 1k,, but i was wondering if there is anyone else out there who has a sun supply ballast that gets extremely hot where you can barely even touch the ballast itself for more than 10 seconds.

The handle bar it has stays cool, but the ballast itself is still fuckin hott.

 

[joluvs2gro]

I think that most all magnetic ballasts get pretty hot, mine do anyway but they're not sun systems or no shit like that either. I use all commercial grade lighting systems, I have found that they are way way cheaper and last ten times as long as that junk from the hydro store. I also thought that the stuff that the hydro store sold would run alot cooler for the prices they sell them for, Now I am really glad I buy the cheap stuff! If you're going to use magnetic ballasts, get on craigslist and buy used from businesses that have upgraded for tax breaks. If you wanna buy from the hydro store, buy digital ballasts and definitely use surge protectors with them too!!

 

[madpenguin]

Change to digital Ballast less heat more efficient more lumen output.

I'll second that. Both my hydrofarm 250w ballast/reflector combo's get outrageously hot. Circa 1995.... Way too hot to touch for more than one second. I use them as supplemental lighting in the winter so I don't have to run a space heater.

Digi's are nice and cool plus way more efficient.