Dodged a bullet.

volcanoOFhistory

volcanoOFhistory

Well-Known Member
So I've never used the superlumen bulb overdrive on a ballast before. Well I decided to try it once on my 1000w and it blew the bulb and melted the wired of the fixture itself. The bulb was fused into the socket and the ceramic socket was quite literally cracked. The melting plastic from the wired dripled down and melted some holes in the bottom of my brand new AC infinity tent and scorched some leafs. But there was no fire so I'm just glad about that. Was a vivosun ballast and bulb and wing reflector so maybe the cheaper gear had something to do with it. I've been using this ballast and hood for a few years without incident before this though on its normal settings. On a positive note I was only running one last cycle with the 1000 because I got a scorpion dialo to make the transition to LED and it's all up and running. Pretty crazy to me because in over 10 plus years of indoor growing I've never had any sort of fire scare or risk. Hopefully it's my last.
 
go go kid

go go kid

Well-Known Member
no, i have the function, but ive not come across a bulb stating it can be turned up to a higher wattage then its designed for. dam that sucks, should have asked first, i did and thats the responcr i got.
ive herd of people useing less than the directed wattage, ie a 400watt bulb on 250watt setting, but if i remember corectly, thats not good for the bulb either.
sorry for your lost ballast n bulb man.
 
WubbaLubbaDubDub

WubbaLubbaDubDub

Well-Known Member
volcanoOFhistory said:
Anyone else had any problems with using overdrive settings on bulbs?
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I used to have this ballast and would over drive my 400watt Hortilux Blue bulbs when they were getting to the end of their life no problems.
C003C36C-BDC6-47D8-9060-7D518ED2886A.png
That’s crazy! I’m glad your stuff didn’t catch fire though.

I’ve also over driven my old Hortilux 600watt HPS no issues over the years
Edit-(ttec hydro electronic ballast)
 
Wastei

Wastei

Well-Known Member
I've recently managed to put a 250w on 400w ballast myself. While it worked and it didn't blow the bulb the spectrum was way off and the plant started consuming leaves. First and last time.

Where the fuck did I even get a new 250w HPS bulb from? Must be old stock from someone else's grow I've since inherit. I'm lost for words lol! :roll:
 
WubbaLubbaDubDub

WubbaLubbaDubDub

Well-Known Member
Wastei said:
I've recently managed to put a 250w on 400w ballast myself. While it worked and it didn't blow the bulb the spectrum was way off and the plant started consuming leaves. First and last time.

Where the fuck did I even get a new 250w HPS bulb from? Must be old stock from someone else's grow I've since inherit. I'm lost for words lol! :roll:
Click to expand...
That’s interesting to say the least!

Did the colour go more red or more blue?
 
BucketGrower

BucketGrower

Well-Known Member
volcanoOFhistory said:
So I've never used the superlumen bulb overdrive on a ballast before. Well I decided to try it once on my 1000w and it blew the bulb and melted the wired of the fixture itself. The bulb was fused into the socket and the ceramic socket was quite literally cracked. The melting plastic from the wired dripled down and melted some holes in the bottom of my brand new AC infinity tent and scorched some leafs. But there was no fire so I'm just glad about that. Was a vivosun ballast and bulb and wing reflector so maybe the cheaper gear had something to do with it. I've been using this ballast and hood for a few years without incident before this though on its normal settings. On a positive note I was only running one last cycle with the 1000 because I got a scorpion dialo to make the transition to LED and it's all up and running. Pretty crazy to me because in over 10 plus years of indoor growing I've never had any sort of fire scare or risk. Hopefully it's my last.
Click to expand...
Im assuming the wattage was simply too much... the bulb couldnt handle it... Especially if it was at the end of its life. I've always stayed away from running more watts into a bulb that was only ever designed to run at the designated wattage. Curious.... how long did you run it on superlumens settings for?
 
SnoopyDoo

SnoopyDoo

Well-Known Member
I've had sockets blow out and the bulb fuse to the socket without using the super lumen setting. Good bulbs too - hortilux, ultrasun, etc. I rarely buy cheap bulbs.
 
volcanoOFhistory

volcanoOFhistory

Well-Known Member
BucketGrower said:
Im assuming the wattage was simply too much... the bulb couldnt handle it... Especially if it was at the end of its life. I've always stayed away from running more watts into a bulb that was only ever designed to run at the designated wattage. Curious.... how long did you run it on superlumens settings for?
Click to expand...
It was on week 3 of its second cycle when I switched it over. It only was on for maybe 48 hours on superlumens before it went.
 
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