Is this what a 400 HPS should look like?

[AmsterdamLiving]

This is the ballast that has been arching causing it to crackle. See this thread about it. http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=129272

I turned off the lights then plugged it in. There is a small spark that appears. I got a photo but its blurry and makes it look bigger than it is

 

[AmsterdamLiving]

 

[FreezerBoy]

I'm no electrician but, if I saw that and heard the crackling you describe, I'd toss it out yesterday.

 

[nightcrawler]

hahah yah same here, it looks like its starting to leak to.

 

[foolish fool]

gadamn that's pretty gnarly. looks like it's time for a replacement no doubt.

 

[Jnugg]

Throw that freaking thing out and start over with a brand new ballast.

You can get a Lumatek digital reall cheap...at my two local hydro shops they are cheaper than a magnetic ballast of the same wattage.

 

[Hazy Lady]

That is fire waiting to happen, it is not worth the risk, replace it and be safe.

 

[Philosophelon]

I'm gonna be original, and tell ya to roll the dice.

Just kidding -- it's lucky that you noticed the arcing before you had a fire. Don't use that ballast ever again, even to test it. You don't want to be anywhere near arcing electricity.

 

[GanjaGrow]

I've seen some pretty fried ballasts but that one is one of the worst I've seen in a while. That got hot enough to melt and burn the coating on the copper wires and magnet, now that's some heat. Did you figure out what caused the meltdown?

 

[shaunmulok]

Wow dude that is someditch it before you burn ya house down

 

[dotblunt]

Kudos for the pics, now I'll know what to look for in a fried ballast.

Second the lumateks, I've got 2 of the 400Ws and nary a problem. Plus they run either HPS or MH so you can't loose.

Dot

 

[pontiac]

go to your nearest lighting supply store and get that thing replaced!

just replace the core; the other components seem fine.

 

[Deaner]

Get rid of that thing or you'll be the next marijuana growing fire victim on the local news.

 

[BeardedClam]

I'd 86 that ballast or we might read online "Local man caught growing weed after firecrews are called to a house fire, DA vows to make an example of the rebal"

 

[Deaner]

You wouldn't want this...

I'm actually amazed that you had to ask if it was normal.

 

[ddrew]

House Fire, first immediate thought upon seeing those pics.
Your lucky that thing didn't start a fire already.

 

[thekid818]

I'm glad you're safe. Don't turn that thing back on.

 

[Deaner]

What are the circumstances that you believe to have caused this? Age? Location? Maintenance? User error?

 

[Sleepy]

man, that looks brand new (not the charred parts).

return it for a replacement, or throw it out.

either way, i agree with the rest...DO NOT USE IT!!!

 

[FreezerBoy]

I'm starting to feel bad for the poor little ballast. Everybody doggin' on it. Maybe we should give it a trophy for it's self esteem like, "World's Ugliest Ballast"