Ballast/light/timer problem...HELP!

[sneaky101]

Ok, so just before my last harvest a few weeks ago my timer went haywire. It would randomly stop coming on. So I go buy a fairly cheap timer to make due till I could get out and get a better one, but it did the same thing. Frustrated, the next day I make the trek to town and get a digi surge protector with a built in timer that controls 2 of the 8 or so outlets. At first it seems to work as expected, but then it seems like it randomly won't kick the ballast on. So for the past few days when I wake up (lights on at 3am) I check and the lights are off. It was a once a week thing but now 3 days straight. Every time I change the auto status to on, the timer turns the lights on. With this going on with 3 completely different timers, I think that item may not be the issue. One last note on the timer, it is plugged into a delay switch if the power is interupted so the lights will have a 15 minute cool down period, but the surge protector is plugged into it' with the ballast directly plugged into the surge protector.

The ballast is a 1k turned down to 750watts and was purchased about a year and a half ago but used for the first time about 3 months ago. The bulb is a 1k Hortilux, the newer one for digi ballasts. Been working fine, but noticed yesterday there is a high pitched whistle coming from the hood area' so I'm assuming it is the bulb, but not certain. Guess it could be some noise coming from the fan that I'm hearing come out of the air called hood. But thats what this post is for...to help me figure it out.

Can't think of any other relevant info to supply. At first I thought timer (still have a new backup timer that I was gonna try after lights out this afternoon), but after 3 I'm not so sure. I don't quite understand a bulb causing the issue' but that hummm bothers me, so that leaves the ballast as the issue by reason of deduction. But it comes on without delay or any problems once the timer is set to the "on" position. So that brings me back to the timer..."can you see the loop IMO stuck in.

If anyone has experienced this, or just know the "fix"....please, HELP!!!

 

[budlover123]

Most timers are designed to work on the current they pass through and most ballasts need a higher current than the timers work at. Intermatic outdoor timers seem to work more like a switch to turn the outlet on and off rather than having the current pass through the timer to operate it. They use a AA battery to control the timer.

 

[sublimesmoker]

yep sounds like the timer to me too, look at the back of it and c what its rated at should b in amps and volts. i c alot of post's about cheap timers fryin or screwing up. i'd look into intermatics, they usually only run about $40 and r bulletproof for the most part.

 

[sneaky101]

120vac and 15 amps. And I think it is rated for 1800 watts, not certain, but I did make sure it was rated high enough for my ballast. The only other thing I have plugged into that surge protector is a green light I only use when lights are off. I previously used a heavy duty outdoor timer and it worked like a champ for about 4-5 years and I found one just like it (except for color) and was gonna try that tonight once lights go out.

I think my lumatek uses about 8.5 watts during use, and per an email to their customer support, the draw of amp is based on watts used. So, since I'm only using 750watts, I should only be using a little over 6 watts during lights on. But I feel ya about it drawing more amps when it is fired up, but the wall outlets are only rated at 15 amps too, so why would amps matter at fire up? Idk, hopefully the other timer will correct the issue.

Anyone know why a bulb would screech like mine is doing?

Btw, thanks for the tips guys.

 

[sublimesmoker]

sorry bro not a sparky but i'm pretty sure its the initial spike on startup that messes with the cheap timers, but it does sound weird that ur bulbs making that noise, seems theirs been a few threads about lumatek here lately, maybe check one of those.

 

[ougro12]

Couple Suggestions

Couple Suggestions

Sneaky101,
Two things come to mind and it appears to be two issues you are currently dealing with. First is the noise, either go into the room when dark and turn on the fan that is hooked up with the light or with the light on just turn off your fan for like 5-10 seconds and see if the noise goes away, If the noise goes away I suggest it is the fan. If not then replace the bulb.
As far as the timer issue goes it seems to me to be more the surge protector. I have the same ballast as you and I know from the power going out that the light will not attempt to reignite until the ballast is ready, usually around 15 minutes. Only once did the ballast not reset and I had to manually press the reset button on the ballast itself. I also run mine on 120 volts AC and just use a basic heavy duty timer and a plug in with a simple surge protector. Oh, and get that delay switch out of there you already have one in the ballast. Good luck with your finish.-o12

 

[sneaky101]

Sneaky101,
Two things come to mind and it appears to be two issues you are currently dealing with. First is the noise, either go into the room when dark and turn on the fan that is hooked up with the light or with the light on just turn off your fan for like 5-10 seconds and see if the noise goes away, If the noise goes away I suggest it is the fan. If not then replace the bulb.
As far as the timer issue goes it seems to me to be more the surge protector. I have the same ballast as you and I know from the power going out that the light will not attempt to reignite until the ballast is ready, usually around 15 minutes. Only once did the ballast not reset and I had to manually press the reset button on the ballast itself. I also run mine on 120 volts AC and just use a basic heavy duty timer and a plug in with a simple surge protector. Oh, and get that delay switch out of there you already have one in the ballast. Good luck with your finish.-o12

Nice to know about the delay startup with the ballast. Thx! I will definetely get the delay switch out of there and replace the timer tonight and keep my fingers crossed.

As for the noise, I've only noticed it when the lights are on. I want to say I did unplug everything an it remained, but alas, Im sure I was high and my memory isn't what it used to be, but it isn't making the noise ATM and the light is on. And i haven't noticed the noise at all when it is dark. Guess I may have to contact the seller about a replacement bulb. It's only about 3 months old and the only 1k bulb I have.

 

[StRa]

I've got a digital timer for my 400w lumatek and it works well (and I stop replacing every month the analogic timer!!!)

few friends suggested me to put a relay between timer and ballast...check this one below.....my 2 centz

http://www.hg-hydroponics.co.uk/ecotechnics-powerstar-1-way-relay-contactor-189-p.asp

Unless you already have a contactor built into your lighting system you will need one of these to protect your timing equipment from the surges created by HID lighting.

 

[Kcar]

I would say your having bulb or ballast probs. Most likely the bulb. Resonance.

 

[Hydro-Soil]

You removed the 'delay switch' and the issue is gone?

Should you decide to use a delay switch in the future... plug it into the timer and the lamp into the delay switch... not the other way around.

Stay Safe!

 

[Phaeton]

I run mechanical timers, 13 of them. If I get a failure it will affect one light, the rest will be fine. The timers are mechanical and no unexpected failures in six years. They make noise or get hot first, plenty of warning.

But this is about ballasts, I have one digital (phantom) high frequency ballast (needed to test a sunpulse) and it does not like to turn on with these timers. The fluorescents come on, the HID's come on, the LED's come on, the fans come on, but the digital ballast needs to be manually off/on before it ignites almost 50% of the time. Timers have been moved around and the surge protectors are between switch and ballast.

My low frequency digital ballasts are due this week and getting a handle on this has become a bit more of a priority. I don't like the high freq ballast and do not care, but the low freq ballasts are precious to me.
I have a smattering of electical education so going tech on me will only be confusing until I look it up, I do not mind kicking and screaming as I am brought up to date.

 

[sneaky101]

It's the c.a.p. hot start and high temp protection hlc-3 that I'm using. My theory was that using this item, every time the timer went off it would detect that as a power failure and always be 15 minutes late turning the lights on due to the delay once it detects power. But that was just a theory. Since it isn't needed with the digi ballast I am going to remove it completely from this tent.

I did email the company I bought the light from and they said send it back for a replacement. I love that store, best customer service! Just been wondering if I should try and switch it out for a digilux or badass bulb. Opinions anyone"

 

[Kcar]

Ushio's are bulletproof on digi ballasts. That being said, I'm replacing my $85 ushios with $20 GE Lucalox XO's. So far, so good.

 

[budleydoright]

Ushio's are bulletproof on digi ballasts. That being said, I'm replacing my $85 ushios with $20 GE Lucalox XO's. So far, so good.

where can I get lucalox for 20?

 

[Kcar]

Maryland Hydro

 

[budleydoright]

where can I get lucalox for 20?

Maryland Hydro

That's an awsome smoking deal for what's supposed to be a great 600w bulb. Time to rebulb!

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Bennyweed1]

It is a ballast or bulb problem. No doubt about it.

No way can it be every single timer you bought. Your lighting setup is 75% or more of what growers use. A simple 110vac 15a timer plugged into either a 15a or 20a 110vac outlet.

I dont know what it could be though. I guess I would start at the bulb and to try isolate the fault. Its either the bulb or ballast and the cheaper way to isolate the fault is by replacing the bulb first IMO. If it still happens just return the bulb assuming you can reproduce he problem within the return period.

I am nearly 100% it isnt your timers though. No way.

 

[budlover123]

Most timers are designed to work on the current they pass through and most ballasts need a higher current than the timers work at. Intermatic outdoor timers seem to work more like a switch to turn the outlet on and off rather than having the current pass through the timer to operate it. They use a AA battery to control the timer.

120vac and 15 amps. And I think it is rated for 1800 watts, not certain, but I did make sure it was rated high enough for my ballast...

The point is it doesn't matter what your timer is rated as, I've seen many timers eventually stop working while operating ballasts, it's a design flaw, intermatic or anybody that makes a decent outdoor timer that has a digital timer mechanism on a separate battery operated circuit will start your ballast every time from what I've seen.

Try being your own timer and plugging it into the wall yourself, I bet it starts for you

If you can find reliable mechanical timers, where'd you get them? Even the intermatic ones I've tried fail after 3 months. Must not be using the same ballast I've seen tearing through timers.