Ballast question

whats up guys!

I just have a simple little question, it might sound stupid but i rather be safe than sorry...


Question: Is it safe to run two different ballasts next each other?

I know that they make heat, but im not worried about over heating or anything
But I got a 600 watt light and I had it running in a 3x3 tent and then i moved it into my bigger tent with a 400 watt and after the move i plugged in the ballast and it (the 600 watt)started shooting sparks.
I got it RMAd, I want to have the two ballasts next to each other so its organized but I just want to make sure the sparks weren't from them being by each other.

+rep for nice people who give good advice.

If it's shooting sparks, something very bad is happening.

Were they touching? Are there any "arc" marks on the casing?

Are they properly grounded?

High power electrical devices produce strong electro-magnetic fields, if your unit is not properly shielded, interference and induction can be a problem.

So...what to do?

Seperate them, and make sure they still work properly, but don't hold it in your hand when you power it on.
Better yet, have a service tech check them out, and get their advice.


Remember, all electronic devices are made from smoke. Truth.
If you let all the smoke out, they don't work anymore.

Hugo Phurst said:

If it's shooting sparks, something very bad is happening.

Were they touching? Are there any "arc" marks on the casing?

Are they properly grounded?

High power electrical devices produce strong electro-magnetic fields, if your unit is not properly shielded, interference and induction can be a problem.

So...what to do?

Seperate them, and make sure they still work properly, but don't hold it in your hand when you power it on.
Better yet, have a service tech check them out, and get their advice.


Remember, all electronic devices are made from smoke. Truth.
If you let all the smoke out, they don't work anymore.

Click to expand...

Good advice, check the connections too. sounds like a loose wire. You may have accidently unplugged one of the cords part way (Power cord or Lamp cord) The magnetic field should not be a problem with about a 4" to 6" separation

Hugo Phurst said:

If it's shooting sparks, something very bad is happening.

Were they touching? Are there any "arc" marks on the casing?

Are they properly grounded?

High power electrical devices produce strong electro-magnetic fields, if your unit is not properly shielded, interference and induction can be a problem.

So...what to do?

Seperate them, and make sure they still work properly, but don't hold it in your hand when you power it on.
Better yet, have a service tech check them out, and get their advice.


Remember, all electronic devices are made from smoke. Truth.
If you let all the smoke out, they don't work anymore.

Click to expand...

They weren't touching, I think they were about 3 inches away, the sparks shot out of the intake fan hole, I looked in it with a flash light and saw melted wires on the inside.
so thats when i RMAd it. I have no clue if they are properly shielded, I remember seeing something about shielding on one of them when i bought them.

Hucklberry said:

Good advice, check the connections too. sounds like a loose wire. You may have accidently unplugged one of the cords part way (Power cord or Lamp cord) The magnetic field should not be a problem with about a 4" to 6" separation

Click to expand...

Thanks man. but I think the sparks were from inside the ballast but the connections. I dont think a loose wire could have caused it, Im no electrician

+ rep for both of you

Just checked the 600 watt ballast, it says "Internal RF protection"

KK, sparks and melted wires. Damm.

Could be a loose/broken internal connection, or a component failure.

Either way, don't use it and get it serviced...is it still under warranty?

What I didn't know is that ballasts work in the RF range, RF energy can cause serious burns, and like a microwave it will cause arcing and spraking if improperly shielded.

Good luck.