Old Ballast? still good?? help

[Apache Kush]

I had a small grow of Master Kush clones under a 400w light, only did two grows (not many light hours at all) before I moved and had to put it in storage..

Long story short its been a few years and I need to know if this setup is still useable??

or do I bit the bullet and need to buy new 400w bulb and replace the old ballast? I know i can still use the reflector so thats good. So again my questions:

1. Does a Ballast go bad if it sits in a garage for like 3 years?
2. Do I replace the the bulb and is that it?
3. Is this still safe?...like i said low miles only two grows on it
4. I think I read a ballast loses its punch after a while> T or F?

I guess I should do a goggle or use the search. However, if you read this please leave a comment. Thanks..

 

[festerous]

I would replace the bulb and the capacitor as they tend to leak when not used.

 

[Apache Kush]

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?threadid=230318
found this thread says, it legit to replace the bulbs ever third grow so thats good info
i was gona replace the bulbs anyways but now im certain...

as for the Ballast idk?/

 

[Apache Kush]

ok thanks man...a capacitor can't be to much money...easy fix

will the guys at the hydro store have a clue if i give them the brand name...idk they will most likely up sell for a new one me haha

 

[Apache Kush]

more good info just found

+ ''there are only a couple things that can go wrong in a ballast,if its a MH then the capacitor can go bad,if its a HPS then the capacitor and the ignitor can go bad,if its a magetic ballast.Other than that they are bulletproof.Point being is,if they come on,they are usually fine ''

+ for an example,I have a 400 watt MH that I bought back in 1995,replaced the capacitor in 2008 and its fine
+ Replacing Caps should be mandatory maintenance for everyone every few years.... they do affect the output of the bulb over time. The ignitor only needs to be replaced if your ballast is having trouble firing the bulb every time.

+ As stated above,capacitors every 2 years for optimal lamp output.
FYI(lamp will light up but NOT reach full brightness when these go out)


- old ballast are fine as long as the caps have been replaced. the older they get,the more they hum. the magnetic casing that holds the winding vibrates and in due time loses its tolerances. sun 1 are better than say a harvest master or a lumina or some other knock off name chinese ballast. the windings arent as tight and they make considerable more noise than the sun 1 advanced/universal ballasts. youll pay 125 for a cheap...y or 225 for a quality one that can in therory last 10 years. the mag will run any bulb and the bulbs will last longer as well.

-As above .. I only run the ole ironsides and dont trust the new digis.. not to start a match here..eh .. eh.. I replace all capacitors every 18 mos ( overkill) and replace ignitors every 2 years.. break em open once a year and clean em out.. one warning .. capacitors are charged so short em out first..

* Excellent tip on replacing the ignitors and capacitors instead of buying new ballasts... I had no idea you could do this. So are these the only parts in a ballast that wear? (Ive never even looked inside my 600s before)So could a noob electrician replace these parts inside the ballasts? I mean im keen but i don't really want to die from electric shock...????? ^^^^^hmmmm? idk

+++ by shorting the terminal he means running an insulated screwdriver across both terminals which will short it out therefore discharging it.. hope this helps
++ Yes...if it's unplugged and you discharge the capacitor first (short the terminals), then it is just detaching reattaching two wires. Very simple once you open your ballast case and look, you just take out the old, put in the new.

 

[festerous]

caps are around the same price as an entry level bulb.

 

[Apache Kush]

q: So do the capacitors degrade just with use or also from age? I have lamps that are 15 years old but only used once or twice until now. Is there a way to know if the capacitor is going or gone or you just replace it every few years?

A: Capacitors can be tested for leakage, which can happen with age, regardless of usage. You need a capacitor tester, which any radio tech should have

 

[noyd666]

RIVES=had a article in here how to replace capacitors etc.

 

[festerous]

They degrade fastest from non use.

 

[Apache Kush]

RIVES=had a article in here how to replace capacitors etc.

Ok ill search ''how to replace capacitors '' or is that the dudes avatar name? (RIVES)

Thanks guys. I for sure will be replacing this stuff.

 

[Apache Kush]

If you can find the thread and link it that be cool cause I just failed to find anything on capacitors...or the dudes profile if you friended hiim and ill search his ''all post by'' RIVES