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Lifespan of CMH ballasts
- Thread starter CannaRed
- Start date
No, they don't lose efficiency. They can last many years, some transformers may burn after some years, but most of them last 20+ years. When I say burn I mean some of the copper cables inside the inductance can have a short circuit, I'm not meaning a real fire. They are quite safe.
But the capacitors in the ballast have to be replaced every couple of years to be sure they match the power factor to near one. If not, the excess current they drive is dangerous for the cables of the installation.
That's about magnetic ones. Electronic ones usually don't last that much, and you don't have to replace any capacitors.
Cheers
But the capacitors in the ballast have to be replaced every couple of years to be sure they match the power factor to near one. If not, the excess current they drive is dangerous for the cables of the installation.
That's about magnetic ones. Electronic ones usually don't last that much, and you don't have to replace any capacitors.
Cheers
CannaRed
Cannabinerd
Thanks carraxe
So if it's electronic, how old would be too old? Still life after 10 years?
5 y?
troutman
Seed Whore
I turned off the power of my electronic ballast and only removed a few screws holding the case
without disconnecting any wires. There was dust bunnies that accumulated over time from possibly
static electricity that I removed. I then put the case back on afterwards.
I'm sure a little monthly cleaning will make any ballast run cooler and longer.
without disconnecting any wires. There was dust bunnies that accumulated over time from possibly
static electricity that I removed. I then put the case back on afterwards.
I'm sure a little monthly cleaning will make any ballast run cooler and longer.
CannaRed
Cannabinerd
Thanks guys. Trout and MJP, sorry I didn't respond earlier I somehow missed these posts.
I'm still on fence, haven't been to look at it yet. Dude wants $200. For the whole lec kit- ballast, reflector, and bulb, Not sure if it's vertical or horizontal bulb, but some of sunsystems reflectors cost that by itself. I'll replace the bulb with a new one so probably a little under $300 to get it set up
I'm still on fence, haven't been to look at it yet. Dude wants $200. For the whole lec kit- ballast, reflector, and bulb, Not sure if it's vertical or horizontal bulb, but some of sunsystems reflectors cost that by itself. I'll replace the bulb with a new one so probably a little under $300 to get it set up
CannaRed
Cannabinerd
Thanks ghost. I really wish I had another foot in both directions. Would love to try the 630.
Dont want to tear down closet to make it bigger (yet) , and a 4 x 4 tent won't fit my space.
If it were aircooled, I'm sure my 2 1/2' x 3 1/2' would be fine... It's only an extra 30watts of heat, but I'm not ready to move my ducts yet. One day I'll figure out this mess.
for what's it worth, i grow in a 4x3.5' tent , like u a 4x4 wont fit my space- i bought '2' 315's (hydro crunch) off ebay n thought that it was not enough light in my last grow - i have supplemented the cmh's this grow with '2' 'shitty' vipar 300w led's... i used these led's one grow, n they sucked so much i gave em (3 of em) away to a buddy... he tried em, n gave me 2 of em back-
i changed out the bulbs to philips this go-around so we'll see the outcome, but last grow the tops were airy ... previously we were growing under 1000mh... n a 315, or 2 of em cant hold a candle to a 1000w mh... but u gotta be able to vent the heat... which i cant do with a 1000w
