bulb screw end melted

bobobo · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 10:51 PM

My bulb was very finely flickering the other day, and after moving the reflector a bit lower to the plants there was a big fitzzzz and a bad smell and the light went out. I unscrewed the light and the screw end of the bulb was all melted and fucked. The socket of the reflector also had black shit all over it and some kinda papery stuff too. Any idea what caused this?

ChochMachio · #2 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 11:09 PM

give some specs on your setup. light type etc....

bobobo · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 11:14 PM

Attic grow. 600 watt hps ballast and bulb. Timer set for 20/4. 20 foot lead from mains plug to 4 way socket that ballast is plugged into.

Nonexistium · #4 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 01:40 AM

sounds to me like you fried a ballast. Did you get a lot of smoke and an awful smell?

I would check the wiring from the 20' lead into the ballast, it sounds like something shorted, that usually how ballasts fry, unless it occurs 'naturally.'

bobobo · #5 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 02:12 PM

it's definitely the ballast. I bought a new reflector, and new bulb. When i plug it all in and turn it on, the ballast just goes hzzzzzzz with no light at all. I changed the fuse on the ballast too, but still the same sound and burning smell. The 20foot lead is a 20foot 4 way socket, that fully extended can handle something like 1400w watts, and i only have the ballast plugged into it. The ballast itself is fairly old, i bought it second hand and i've used it for about a year now.

Is it fixable? If so, how? Need urgent advice as my plants have been a few days without their usual light intensity and i'm worried they might go hermie

Zombo · #6 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 03:20 PM

If you're an electrician, fix the ballast. If you're not, buy a new one. Sorry.

ChochMachio · #7 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 04:02 PM

This is why I don't mind spending the extra 10% in a local shop compared to ordering online. When my shit breaks, I bring it in and he gives me a new one off the shelf. Then HE deals with the manufacturer about a replacement. Failed ballast equals about an hour of temp light before the new one is here again.

bobobo · #8 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 01:37 PM

well i bought a new ballast from ebay - a euro 600watt. It doesn't work. Took it to the local hydro shop and was told he doesn't sell them anymore since 5 of them caught fire in a year. Steer clear of them.

Looking at a digital ballast, but don't want to fall into the same trap - does anyone know anything about hacienda digital ballasts?

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#1 (permalink) 10-20-2009, 10:51 PM
bobobo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 138	bulb screw end melted My bulb was very finely flickering the other day, and after moving the reflector a bit lower to the plants there was a big fitzzzz and a bad smell and the light went out. I unscrewed the light and the screw end of the bulb was all melted and fucked. The socket of the reflector also had black shit all over it and some kinda papery stuff too. Any idea what caused this?

#2 (permalink) 10-20-2009, 11:09 PM
ChochMachio Rebel Leader Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northern Midwest Posts: 819	Re: bulb screw end melted give some specs on your setup. light type etc....

#3 (permalink) 10-20-2009, 11:14 PM
bobobo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 138	Re: bulb screw end melted Attic grow. 600 watt hps ballast and bulb. Timer set for 20/4. 20 foot lead from mains plug to 4 way socket that ballast is plugged into.

#4 (permalink) 10-21-2009, 01:40 AM
Nonexistium Pumpkinhead Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Data Constructs Posts: 55	Re: bulb screw end melted sounds to me like you fried a ballast. Did you get a lot of smoke and an awful smell? I would check the wiring from the 20' lead into the ballast, it sounds like something shorted, that usually how ballasts fry, unless it occurs 'naturally.' __________________ A dope trailer is no place for a kitty, Julian This entity does not exist in the real world, this entire persona is confined in existence to the Grasscity webforum, and therefore any interaction by this entity is not the action of any real person existing outside of cyberspace. LBH's 4-way LST Tutorial (w/ "topping" sub tutorial) <---Not reading this should be grounds for removal. Last edited by Nonexistium; 10-21-2009 at 01:42 AM. Reason: proofreading

#5 (permalink) 10-21-2009, 02:12 PM
bobobo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 138	Re: bulb screw end melted it's definitely the ballast. I bought a new reflector, and new bulb. When i plug it all in and turn it on, the ballast just goes hzzzzzzz with no light at all. I changed the fuse on the ballast too, but still the same sound and burning smell. The 20foot lead is a 20foot 4 way socket, that fully extended can handle something like 1400w watts, and i only have the ballast plugged into it. The ballast itself is fairly old, i bought it second hand and i've used it for about a year now. Is it fixable? If so, how? Need urgent advice as my plants have been a few days without their usual light intensity and i'm worried they might go hermie

#7 (permalink) 10-21-2009, 04:02 PM
ChochMachio Rebel Leader Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northern Midwest Posts: 819	Re: bulb screw end melted This is why I don't mind spending the extra 10% in a local shop compared to ordering online. When my shit breaks, I bring it in and he gives me a new one off the shelf. Then HE deals with the manufacturer about a replacement. Failed ballast equals about an hour of temp light before the new one is here again.

#8 (permalink) 11-03-2009, 01:37 PM
bobobo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 138	Re: bulb screw end melted well i bought a new ballast from ebay - a euro 600watt. It doesn't work. Took it to the local hydro shop and was told he doesn't sell them anymore since 5 of them caught fire in a year. Steer clear of them. Looking at a digital ballast, but don't want to fall into the same trap - does anyone know anything about hacienda digital ballasts?

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