HID ballast blowing bulbs back to back

J232

Well-Known Member
Ballasts get hot, tell us more, are the bulbs correct for the ballast? I mean, try a 3rd bulb... for science.
 

Dcappello

Member
600w hydro farm ballast with a switch on it. Wired to 110. I was running 600w MH digilux bulb. Checked on my grow tent bulb was off and has black burnt looking on the inside of the bulb. Replaced it with 1000w blue MH hortiluxe and it burnt it too. Could it be cause I gave a cold bulb a hot start with the hot ballast ?
 

Lordhooha

Well-Known Member
600w hydro farm ballast with a switch on it. Wired to 110. I was running 600w MH digilux bulb. Checked on my grow tent bulb was off and has black burnt looking on the inside of the bulb. Replaced it with 1000w blue MH hortiluxe and it burnt it too. Could it be cause I gave a cold bulb a hot start with the hot ballast ?
No I'd look at the power coming in. Sounds like dirty power.
 

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
600 watt ballasts require 600 watt bulbs started at 100% power and allowed to get hot before dimming. No 1000 or 400 watt bulbs. No starting at 50%-75% power.
 

Dcappello

Member
Thanks everyone I got it sorted out. Checked ohms across ballast low side. Ballast was over due. The second bulb didn’t actually blow the ballast cut out so hortiluxe mh bulb is still running strong and worth every $$$
 
Top