sun system 400 dual ballast might be going...

[litebuzz]

I have a dual 400w hps and 400w mh sun system light set up. The ballast is making some noise and the mh is flickering. I'm thinking maybe its starting to shyt the bed. I bought it like 5 or 6 yrs ago and use it every year.
I'm thinking of getting a new ballast...just wondering if I should just do a 1000w of hps because the dual set is out of stock.

Whatta yas think? If you had to replace your system...what would you get. I'm not afraid to spend $ for quality.
I run 2 lights...the other being a 600w...that's like 4 yrs old...sun system also. TIA.

 

[stonedar]

you don't have a dual ballast you have a switchable magnetic ballast, dual ballasts run 2 lamps
you need a new capacitor for your old ballast, fixing it is cheap. I'd fix it for a back-up at least, if you get a new ballast.

if you get a new ballast chances are it will be digital as thats what everyone pushes now. check the warranty.

 

[litebuzz]

my ballast does run 2 lamps at once...its not a switchable one. I run a 400 hps and a 400 mh at the same time. It's just that the mh is flickering.
I'm leaning toward the 1000 w hps sun system...and I suppose I could try to fix the one I have for a spare like you said...esp if its an easy fix.

 

[stonedar]

ohh, a sun system 7. they are kinda rare and 'spensive. kinda a niche gadget, do you use the reflector that came with it?

lotsa of threads on here about magnetic vs digital ballasts. I come down in the side of magnetic mostly. depends on wattage I guess.

as an alternative to a sun system. check out this ballast, it's built like your SS-7 all american or high quality parts and has a lifetime warranty. made by CAP.
http://www.plantlightinghydroponics...-mh-switchable-grow-light-ballast-p-2944.html

 

[litebuzz]

yeah I do...with the glass....so I don't hurt myself...lol. It's rare? It's the first light I ever bought and I had read that I needed both light spectrums. Money wasn't really an issue because I was just looking to do it right from the beginning...I was just learning! lol
I guess I got my $worth from it. Actually it seems to be working fine right now...I shut it off for a few minutes and its running okay...but I know this may be the start of it crapping out.
Thank you for the tip...I will research what the difference is between magnetic and digital...I'm sure I'll find plenty of posts about it.