Cord length

[S_a_H]

I am looking for a new 600w HPS light and was wondering can I go longer than 15 feet from the ballast to the light ? Can I safely extend it? or do I lose to much power the further away it is? I would like to hang the ballasts in the attic and run the cord to the bulb down through the ceiling to keep the heat in the attic.

S_a_H

 

[MTF-Sandman]

I know it's been done, but I'm not sure about the voltage drop that would be incurred or what precautions you'd need to take for it.

Can you just locate the ballasts directly above where the hoods will be mounted in the room? Then you wouldn't need the long ass cords...

 

[stonewall]

depends on the ignitor.

 

[treble]

yes most likely both would have some impact.... I would expect big voltage drop in short distance on these things just because my head tells me thats what should happen.....

I dont know the answer but I found these guys who make a ballast with detachable lamp cord..perhaps its replaceable ....cant vouch for them tho...could be worth asking

treb

 

[Guest]

if u wanna extend that far i believe u need a reflector/ lamp holder with the ignitor built into it

 

[Guest]

a 5 KVA socket assembly which is what you probably have for 600W comes standard with a 15 ft #16 gauge wire,to extend it to 25 ft you'd need to replace it with #14 gauge wire.Try http://homeharvest.com/lampcomponentspartsSS.htmEDIT !!LOL I just reread it and it says foir everything but 600W HPS wouldnt you know.

 

[stonewall]

The only limiting factor is the ignitor. If you list which ignitor you have we can give a definative answer.

When an ignitor is used, increaseing wire size does not neccesarily increase the maximum allowable distance from ballast to lamp. In fact increased wire size can usually increase the capacitance of the wire which actually attenuates the ignition pulse even more.

 

[S_a_H]

Well thanks for the replies to this question and when I get the unit Monday or Tuesday next week i'll post what ignitor is being used and most likely the 15 foot cord well be enough but I was just awonderin.

SaH

 

[hazeywonder]

I dont think you should have a problem i extended my 600 they are all about 25 feet away now and it didnt change anything... I would say use the biggest wire necessary 14-12g should do the trick... heres mine i used 14g for for 600w

 

[_Dude]

Old thread but I have the same question. How would anyone figure out how long a cord of a given gauge could be just by knowing what model ignitor is being used? Tell us how to figure it out on our own. Teach a man to fish right?

Or how to mount an ignitor on a hood would be cool.

 

[B. Friendly]

from a personal experience make sure the cord is rated for high voltage. I had a quality cord burn out on me after 15', but it was a 1000w ballast. Just get a good thick, cord rated for what your gonna do, ask the guys at home depot they'll tell ya.

 

[dtfsux]

I had 9 1000 w HPS ballast kits from HTG and wired all my hoods with 12/2 romex. But bulbs kept blowing, every few weeks, tried 3 brands of bulbs as well. My longest run was probably 25-30 feet. Then I moved the ignitors to the hoods and I ran for about a year+ till I shut down w/o issue.

Theres no secret to moving the ignitor. Because I ran 12/2, I did have to run an additional wire to the hoods, I used some #16 or 18. you could do the same or run 12/3

I cant remember how the ballasts are wired, its been a while. HTGsupply has directions on their site. You wire everything the same, except the ignitor is not next to the ballast, its next to the hood. I just zip-tied my ignitors to the chains

 

[inphu510n]

Have you considered just moving the ballast and getting a longer power cord for that instead?
Seems like the better choice IMHO.