Lumatek 600w question/problem

Mr.Goodtimes

Mr.Goodtimes

Well-Known Member
I got a Lumatek 600w dimmable ballast a few weeks back and the thing would never fire up on the timer. Tried a few different timers and outlets, so I mailed it back.

They tested it and said it tested good repeatedly, and sent it back, but still did the same thing. I mailed it back and they're sending me a replacement.

I'm just wondering if anyone has had this problem with it? I had the ballast dimmed to 400w with a MH bulb from home depot.

Kinda wanting a refund or a different ballast.
My old 400w magnetic ballast has run fine for years (still is), but I need to up the light to 600w for flower in my new space and I'm not sure if I trust lumatek anymore. Can't have my light not cutting on in flower and wont be able to check on it every morning.
 
jondamon

jondamon

Well-Known Member
Test whether it fires without the timer plugged into it.

If it does then its your timer.


J
 
Mr.Goodtimes

Mr.Goodtimes

Well-Known Member
It does fire without the timer, but I have to unplug & plug it back in multiple times. It fired as soon as I plugged it in the first time, then I have to unplug and re-plug it in a few times to get it to fire. I tried a few different timers as well. My other 400w ballast has never had a problem firing, its running now (on the same timer) while I wait on a replacement.

The people at HTG said they tested the one I sent back and it tested good repeatedly...
 
SnapsProvolone

SnapsProvolone

Well-Known Member
Once you strike a HID lamp, it needs to cool before it will re-strike. This might be why you had to plug it in multiple times (while the lamp cooled).

Is the timer an Apollo? :(

I hardly think the ballast is problematic.
 
Mr.Goodtimes

Mr.Goodtimes

Well-Known Member
Ya, but from the time it cut off it had six hours to cool, then didn't fire on the timer so I wouldn't think it needs time to cool if it wasn't hot...?

No neither of the timers I tried are Apollo.

HTG didn't think the ballast was problematic so obviously it must have been firing for them... I was reading that Lumatek ballasts couldn't fire some bulbs. Any truth to this? Do I need to use a different MH bulb?

I haven't tried the 600 HPS sun master bulb with it since I am still in veg.
 
SnapsProvolone

SnapsProvolone

Well-Known Member
The lamp should cool enough to re-strike within 10 to 15 minutes max.

Your bulb needs to be digital ballast compatible. This may be your issue.
 
S

stak

Well-Known Member
Mr.Goodtimes said:
I had the ballast dimmed to 400w with a MH bulb from home depot.
Click to expand...
The problem is the bulb you are using is not compatible with digital ballasts and will only work with core and coil ballasts. You need to buy a bulb that is compatible with digital ballasts.


SnapsProvolone said:
I figured out whats up. Your running a 400 watt mh lamp on a 600 watt lumatek ballast set to 400 watts.

You can't do this.
Click to expand...
That is not the problem. That is the way Lumatek recommends their ballasts be run.
 
SnapsProvolone

SnapsProvolone

Well-Known Member
Actually I stand corrected. The newer models advertise use with lower wattage lamps.

The previous models did not.

I learned something. Wish I could +rep you.
 
S

stak

Well-Known Member
SnapsProvolone said:
It's a dimmable, not designed to allow user to pop a 400 watt bulb in and turn up to 600 with the touch of the knob while operating. There is no 300 watt bulb.
Click to expand...
No one is saying to use a 400w bulb in a ballast dialed to 600w, you will blow the bulb, that's the opposite of what everyone is saying.

Use a 400w bulb on the 400w setting
Use a 600w bulb on the 600w setting

using a 600w bulb on the 400w setting is not the proper way to do it. the bulb will never receive the correct amount of power and it will never light the arc fully. without full power going to the lamp, the spectrum will be off, and it could degrade the life of the bulb faster.
 
Mr.Goodtimes

Mr.Goodtimes

Well-Known Member
This all makes more sense to me.

Still, how do I tell if a bulb is digital ballast compatible? Is it just trial and error?

Just looked, my SunMaster 600w HPS says "Electronic ballast friendly." Is that what I'm looking for on a 400w MH box? I'm guessing an electronic ballast is the same thing as a digital ballast?
 
jondamon

jondamon

Well-Known Member
Mr.Goodtimes said:
This all makes more sense to me.

Still, how do I tell if a bulb is digital ballast compatible? Is it just trial and error?

Just looked, my SunMaster 600w HPS says "Electronic ballast friendly." Is that what I'm looking for on a 400w MH box? I'm guessing an electronic ballast is the same thing as a digital ballast?
Click to expand...

Yes and yes.

Here in the UK though there are no digital specific bulbs other than SUNPULSE pulse start MH bulbs.

I use POWERPLANT aka LUMATEK SUPERVEG MH and a SYLVANIA GROLUX HPS on my lumatek 400w ballast.

I now own the dimmable 400w with 250w, 250SL, 400w and 400SL dim functions.


J
 
JohnnySocko

JohnnySocko

Active Member
just get that Ushio Red for 50-60 bucks... given the value of the crop; why even dick around with bulbs and shit?
 
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