Information about ballast

Hyghlyfe420

New Member
Sorry new grower here. Bought this ballast from a garage sale and not really sure what I am doing.

1. It says it's mh/hps but there's no switch? Does it matter what bulb u put in?
2. What does this white button do? I pushed it several times didn't seem to do anything
3. How do u know if it's still good? It lit up just wasn't as bright as I expected. It is only a 400 w tho. Do ballasts just die eventually or do they start putting out bad light?
4. Does any hood work with any ballast?
Thank you!
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Jimmy Sparkle

Well-Known Member
I think that white button may be a reset button and as for the mh\hps tag I believe that it's indicating that it will fire both a hps bulb and a metal halide conversion bulb on the same ballast. Yes you can use any hood that you like just make sure that you can figure how to hook it up. I believe electronic ballasts start to misfire bulbs, not light or go off and on then eventually quit. They may lose the ability to fire the bulbs to their potential over time but that I'm not certain of. Hope some of this helps.
 

kingtitan

Well-Known Member
It will fire 400 watt HPS/MH/MH Conversion bulbs, it does not need a switch. The white switch is a reset if it trips for what ever reason. Bulbs are good for about 1 year/3000-6000 hours or the spectrum goes off for optimal growth.

Lumatek was good back in the day and it looks like you have the good old model. use an AM radio to see if it emits RFI.
 

Hyghlyfe420

New Member
What are "conversion" bulbs here's the bulb that came with it. The bulb does make a rattling sound. I assume that's not good.

Is it good or bad if it emits RFI?

Thanks for your help guys.
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kingtitan

Well-Known Member
If you are planning to grow I would just toss the unknown bulb, looks like it has scratches which is a safety concern. Its just a Philips so its one of the value end of bulb pricing.

RFI could have unwanted visitors if the interference causes cable/internet problems for neighbors or if someone really likes AM radio around you and reports the interference.
 

n0thing

Well-Known Member
Your ballast will have RF interference, almost all electronic ballasts do. The problems come from too much. It can interfere with your neighbors cable and internet causing people to poke around and since it's a used older ballast you'll want to test it before getting set up.


If you are planning to grow I would just toss the unknown bulb, looks like it has scratches which is a safety concern. Its just a Philips so its one of the value end of bulb pricing.

RFI could have unwanted visitors if the interference causes cable/internet problems for neighbors or if someone really likes AM radio around you and reports the interference.
What he said but you'll likely not have a problem. It's just an old paranoid precaution added to the fact it's a used ballast.
 
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