Problems with the HPS ballast kit

Fuck Snails

Fuck Snails

Active Member
So i wired up my kit but i have a couple questions so its obviously not working how it should...

When i plug it all in, the light bulb ignites but only the slightest bit.
By the way im using a 100w hps ballast with a 100w mastercolor ceramic metal hallide bulb.
*this is ok*

The bulb basically is dim and in the center of the bulb its glowing slightly blue but not bright at all!!!

maybe half a lumen here..


I left it on for a while but it didnt work still..
Im confused?
Do i need a capacitor? My ballast didnt come with one :wall:


Frustrating!

Thanks guys
 
newbie71047

newbie71047

Member
sounds to me like a defective ballast. i bought one and the light did the same thing then i unplugged it changed bulbs and it never came back on.
 
Fuck Snails

Fuck Snails

Active Member
oh wow I hope that's not the case...I can try the bulb in my other ballast to see what the problem is...
In the meantime...any other suggestions?
 
Fuck Snails

Fuck Snails

Active Member
Okay so the problem is definitely the bulb...i think it's fucked up cuz i put it in my normal day to day ballast that works for sure and it wouldnt even light up on there....
plus i screwed in my other hps bulb in to my hps ballast that i just now wired and it worked so...no problem there!


Do these CMH lights take a while to light up or something?
I dont think its burned out because it flickers when i screw it in and then turn on the ballast..
But it could be defective i guess...
Once again its a ceramic metal halide philips mastercolor..

really bummed cuz i heard these were supposed to be good :(

Any help on what to do?
 
elfroggo

elfroggo

Active Member
ak47caretaker said:
the problem is your ballast is for HPS not MH and you are trying to run a MH the ballasts are totally different
Click to expand...
That is not true. CMH bulbs can be used in magnetic HPS ballasts only, at least thats the last thing I read about them when I was deciding on a light setup.
 
evilbughead

evilbughead

Active Member
Ceramic Metal Halide FAQ:
1. I have noticed that the Ceramic Metal Halide HPS Retro bulbs produce less lumens compared to other HPS bulbs?
A: Lumens is an antiquated way of comparing grow lamps. Lumens are a scientific definition based on the human eye and NOT on a plants response curve. This is the hardest part for people considering trying the CMH's to get past. We have been snowed over by the manufacturers just focusing on the max lumens.

2. When are bigger wattage bulbs going to be available?
A: Hum…sometime soon if Phillips keeps their promise! Also there is some new Ceramic Metal Halide technology on the horizon. This may keep bigger wattages of the market but the good news is that the new ones maybe extremely more efficient so you may not need bigger wattages. We will keep you posted on this!!

3. Will they run on my DIGITAL ballast?
A: NO (unless you have a specifically designed digital ballast for CMH lamps). They must be used in HPS ballast.

Found this tid bit hope it helps
 
Fuck Snails

Fuck Snails

Active Member
Nahh dude i already knew they only run in a magnetic hps ballast...the other guy was confused.

Thanks though.

Im looking for info on the mastercolor bulbs as far as how long it takes to "pulse start"

Can a bulb still flicker if it's burned out?

Should i just screw it in and run it and say fuck it!??
 
killeroxx

killeroxx

Active Member
Fuck Snails said:
Okay so the problem is definitely the bulb...i think it's fucked up cuz i put it in my normal day to day ballast that works for sure and it wouldnt even light up on there....
plus i screwed in my other hps bulb in to my hps ballast that i just now wired and it worked so...no problem there!


Do these CMH lights take a while to light up or something?
I dont think its burned out because it flickers when i screw it in and then turn on the ballast..
But it could be defective i guess...
Once again its a ceramic metal halide philips mastercolor..

really bummed cuz i heard these were supposed to be good :(

Any help on what to do?
Click to expand...

ok you all dont know what ur talking about especially you snail.....you said and I quote..."put it in my normal day to day ballast" you put it in what normal day to day ballast....ur table lamp...thats not a ballast....your "hood" you have is not a ballast...and the reason why your bulb dont work or is just dim is because you dont have a ballast...a HPS and MH bulbs need continuous 100watt to run and an outlet doesnt constantly keep it flowing like that....you people espicially you snail really need to research alot and understand everything before you just go jumping into growing weed...and if you think im wrong you sadly mistaken...look it up...google it ..do something here is what a ballast is and a hood ill show you the difference...



IMG_0472.jpg now..the ballast is on the left...the little silver box thing.......and on the right is the hood or reflector inside of that there is a socket to screw in your hps bulb...you absolutely canot run that bulb without the ballast on the left as shown in picture....you could ruin the bulb too....and you need a ballast that runs 100w only if you want a higher wattage you need a different ballast
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top