Whats wrong with my ballast?

Bukvičák · Oct 13, 2020

Hey G’s,

I have a problem with my 600W Electronic ballast, when timer turns him on, it goes for five minutes, than it shuts down. When I unplug it and plug it back in the socket it starts to work normaly. Timer checked and works good. Ballast is brand new as well as bulb. Did I messed the cables or the ballast is fakt up? Holes on the cable are also marked so cables are correctly inside, everthing is solid and cables cannot move. I am not an electrician so maybe I went somewhere wrong. I live in Netherlands and we have there two cables red (goes to brown Fase) and black (goes to the blue Zero), Sockets look like this and cords like this. My concern is that there is no midlle pin in the socket so you can basicly plug the cord into the socket two ways and everthing works normally. WTF? Can somebody explain how this is possible? In the socket is red on the left and black on the right. I have also second balast completely the same but used for unknown period on the greenhouse and everthing works properly. Any clue appreciated.

Mak'er Grow · Oct 13, 2020

Can you post a picture of your timer....and the label on it to show its specs.
Just a guess here, but the timer may not be able to handle the amperage the light requires...light needs 5 amps and timer can only connect 2-3 amps...so the "switch" inside the timer may be failing/fried.
Edit...amperage amounts/numbers I used are just examples and not true values.

spliffendz · Oct 13, 2020

If you are plugging to wall without timer and it works then obviously the timer is at fault

Bukvičák · Oct 14, 2020

spliffendz said:
If you are plugging to wall without timer and it works then obviously the timer is at fault

Timer checked on other light and works good. Second light same ballast same bulb same timer works normaly. Weird is that the ballast do the same when I plug it staight to the socket according to my schedule by myself, five minutes shut down. Unplug-plug works normaly than...

Bukvičák · Oct 14, 2020

Mak'er Grow said:
Can you post a picture of your timer....and the label on it to show its specs.
Just a guess here, but the timer may not be able to handle the amperage the light requires...light needs 5 amps and timer can only connect 2-3 amps...so the "switch" inside the timer may be failing/fried.
Edit...amperage amounts/numbers I used are just examples and not true values.

Do not think so... They suppose to turn off and on electromotors. They are 16A.

Trickyticky · Oct 14, 2020

Take the ballest back to the shop if brand new , im sure they would exchange it for another 1 .

Bukvičák · Oct 14, 2020

Trickyticky said:
Take the ballest back to the shop if brand new , im sure they would exchange it for another 1 .

This is not actually such a problem. Only little bit pain in ass because they are connected to my wing reflector from each side one DIY way and they are hanged so they both support the reflector. Replacing it is probably the best option but makes a lot of mess. Thought that somebody experienced similar issue...

Mak'er Grow · Oct 14, 2020

Bukvičák said:
Timer checked on other light and works good. Second light same ballast same bulb same timer works normaly. Weird is that the ballast do the same when I plug it staight to the socket according to my schedule by myself, five minutes shut down. Unplug-plug works normaly than...

Yes, its sounding more and more like the ballast is bad...prob some fail safe circuit failing inside.
Return it is best bet since its new.

Mak'er Grow · Oct 14, 2020

1 more test to try...
You say if its plugged into the timer and has been turned off for a few hours...cold...then it has problems after about 5 mins, but when plugged back in to wall without timer it works fine?
Have you tested just a manual cold start without timer?
Where you leave light off for the night so it cools down to room temps then when lights are to come on you plug it directly into socket to turn it on...manual...does it last the same 5 minutes before failing or does it keep working normally all day?

Bukvičák · Oct 14, 2020

Mak'er Grow said:
1 more test to try...
You say if its plugged into the timer and has been turned off for a few hours...cold...then it has problems after about 5 mins, but when plugged back in to wall without timer it works fine?
Have you tested just a manual cold start without timer?
Where you leave light off for the night so it cools down to room temps then when lights are to come on you plug it directly into socket to turn it on...manual...does it last the same 5 minutes before failing or does it keep working normally all day?

Does not matter who turns it on if me or timer, always works for cca 5 minutes, than turns off. I go to the socket where the cord is plugged, unplug it, then plug it (15 seconds) back and works normally. Other light completely the same works how it should. I have two 600W each is on for 8hrs (together 4hrs) I am on 12/12 for 7 days... One of the ballasts does this second does not. Maybe you are right about the temperature, thats what I was also think that it needs some specific temp for proper running.

Renfro · Oct 14, 2020

Have you tried a different bulb on the ballast?

Bukvičák · Oct 14, 2020

Renfro said:
Have you tried a different bulb on the ballast?

No sir! I will try to swap them this evening at 7 Pm (actuall time 14:31) when they go on. I thought when it shines it should be okay. I have checked the bulb for arching with no signs. Do you know how its possible that the light works (but not only the light but all electrical equipment) when the cord is plugged into the socket “opposite” way? You can see pics above...

Renfro · Oct 14, 2020

Many digital HID ballasts go through the initial start up period or ignition cycle to strike an arc get the arc nice and hot before going into the normal run mode using a slightly lower out parameter. Sometimes a certain type/brand bulb or just a specific bulb doesn't maintain the arc after the ignition cycle ends. If you haven't already, try a different bulb on the offending ballast.

Bukvičák said:
Do you know how its possible that the light works (but not only the light but all electrical equipment) when the cord is plugged into the socket “opposite” way? You can see pics above...

Not sure I understand what you are asking. Try again lol. And provide pics of the whole wiring setup you are talking about, plugged in both ways.

Bukvičák · Oct 16, 2020

Renfro said:
Many digital HID ballasts go through the initial start up period or ignition cycle to strike an arc get the arc nice and hot before going into the normal run mode using a slightly lower out parameter. Sometimes a certain type/brand bulb or just a specific bulb doesn't maintain the arc after the ignition cycle ends. If you haven't already, try a different bulb on the offending ballast.

Not sure I understand what you are asking. Try again lol. And provide pics of the whole wiring setup you are talking about, plugged in both ways.

So first of all BIG THANK YOU for your smart idea, which saved me a lot of time and avoided nerves and stress with replacing the ballast. I have swapped the bulbs and everything seems to work good since than (observed for two cycles). Do not know how, but they both work properly now!
Now I will post pics of my socket and cord. You can see how it is wired, brown Fase on the left hole, blue Zero on the right hole and yellow-green Ground is connected to the “Air” (marked on the pic). Cord is ussually brown Fase right pin, blue Zero left pin and yellow-green Ground midlle hole. Since there is no midlle pin in the socket you can plug the cord upside down (brown Fase to blue Zero) and no death. This is what faks my head the most. How this is possible and where the Grounding have lost in the socket?
Thank you for you time Ren!

Renfro · Oct 16, 2020

Alternating current unlike DC current, has no polarity. Phase and Neutral, to the device there is no difference. Your ground is connected via the metal contacts that are on the perimeter of the circular receptacle/plug. There is nothing to worry about, plug it in either way.

Bukvičák · Oct 16, 2020

Renfro said:
Alternating current unlike DC current, has no polarity. Phase and Neutral, to the device there is no difference. Your ground is connected via the metal contacts that are on the perimeter of the circular receptacle/plug. There is nothing to worry about, plug it in either way.

Thank you for explanation. Just last question. Should I concern about that “unconnected” ground cable in the socket? You can see it on the first picture. Not so clear but its marked...

Renfro · Oct 16, 2020

Bukvičák said:
Thank you for explanation. Just last question. Should I concern about that “unconnected” ground cable in the socket? You can see it on the first picture. Not so clear but its marked...

If the ground wire is not connected then you should see about rectifying that (with the breaker off).

Bukvičák · Oct 16, 2020

Renfro said:
If the ground wire is not connected then you should see about rectifying that (with the breaker off).

Yeah thats what I also think. It is a little bit complicated because the socket I use for the room have no built-in grounding and there is also no ground cable laid. Fortunately there is a nest cca 5 meters distant so I thought to lay down personal grounding cable strapped on the old ones with the cable ties and replacing the socket with grounded socket I have already bought. Of course with breaker off ;-)

Or maybe easier could be just use the extension cord from the socket which is grounded same distance as the nest, but it means cutting the hole into the wall and than sealing it. Fakin hell... Anyway thank you for the tips

Rolla J · Nov 8, 2021

Bukvičák said:
Hey G’s,

I have a problem with my 600W Electronic ballast, when timer turns him on, it goes for five minutes, than it shuts down. When I unplug it and plug it back in the socket it starts to work normaly. Timer checked and works good. Ballast is brand new as well as bulb. Did I messed the cables or the ballast is fakt up? Holes on the cable are also marked so cables are correctly inside, everthing is solid and cables cannot move. I am not an electrician so maybe I went somewhere wrong. I live in Netherlands and we have there two cables red (goes to brown Fase) and black (goes to the blue Zero), Sockets look like this and cords like this. My concern is that there is no midlle pin in the socket so you can basicly plug the cord into the socket two ways and everthing works normally. WTF? Can somebody explain how this is possible? In the socket is red on the left and black on the right. I have also second balast completely the same but used for unknown period on the greenhouse and everthing works properly. Any clue appreciated.

I'd throw that p.o.s. in the trash

Bukvičák · Nov 8, 2021

Rolla J said:
I'd throw that p.o.s. in the trash

Go ahead. Actually the problem was not solved so decided to trash that ballast…

Whats wrong with my ballast?

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