Hello all my name is Derik and I wanted to say hi and thank you for all the knowledge I have gained in just this short little time that i have beeen a member but I am having problems i think with my Ballast. This is my first attempt at growing and I bought a Hydrotek red ballast that is rated at 1000 watts and I also have a a Hydrotek Hood. Well I have my ballast all plugged in and the light bulb attached to it ready to go because all my plants are about 2 weeks away from being put in the 1000 watt HPS light. Here is the problem. My Ballast just buzzes and doesnt turn on the light. I have no instructions and i bought this system from a friend for $325.00 everything included with bulb and it was unopen when I got it. There are no instructions. Yesterday I was playin with it and moved it around to different sockets and I got it to come on on the last socket available, but today I plugged it in and it just buzzes. Whats wrong or what am I doing wrong. Any help is greatly appreciated. Derik Ok Now i just went out in my building where my grow is happening and i dont understand it but. I just unplugged the ballast and plugged it back in and immediately the light came on why does it do that? How can I guarantee that it will come on when i need it to?
http://sperolighting.net/ballast.html#Ignitors This may help. It sounds like it could be an ignitor. But I would first make sure your lamp is not bad.
I would agree that it is most likely the starting capacitor(spelling?)! It is having trouble producing enough power to initially start your bulb. But there is a good chance I'm wrong so don't quote me on this! The first thing you need to do is check your bulb. Replace it, and if it doesn't work then you're screwed. You may have got ripped off $350! I would recomend buying all new stuff that way you have a warranty of some kind!!!
Hang on a sec...this is just to be on the safe side: how long are you leaving the light on? It takes a minute or so to fire up. Maybe you should leave it on for 5 mins and if it's not full on by then there is a problem.
Go it working now. first i had it running through a 150 ft extension cord and also needed to take the socket off the cord that came with the ballast and attach it to my hood which alreadyhas a light socket in it. Its working good now. thanks everyone.
Squidgey that was a good point,did the almighty screw up (assumptions) and we all know where that gets us. Sorry about that D Rock. I was just trying to get you on the right path. Glad to hear that you got it fixed.