I have a 400w cool tube from sunlight solutions. When i plug the ballast in i hear the power turn on for 2 seconds than off for 2 seconds, on for 2 seconds, repeat... Need advice soon. My babies are in danger...
My FIRST guess, and know that I'm NOT an electrician!!! but my brother is, and worked on mine before. It SOUNDS like your igniter is out. Do you hear it "pop," on, but the light dosen't respond, or, blinks like a strobe? that's what was wrong with mine. It went out a second time, and I upgraded, I got over ten years out of it, but shit. Back on topic; don't take chances, do you have a grow store near you? many service ballasts, for not too much. Do you have any friends, relatives or such that you could trust them to test and fix it? Lastly, I WOULDN'T jerry rig it, you DON'T want to come home, and find the FD, and LEO wanting to talk to you, about your smokey house :icon_confused: I don't know, how big your plants are, but if they aren't too big? you could go to "Home Depot," and buy 1 or two 50w halide spots, as a band-aid uintil you get this resolved. It's ONLY a band-aid, they will want to stretch uner that limited spectrum, but they are like 8.95 a piece. You need to fix or replace it proper though. BE SAFE!!! GOOD LUCK
The igniter sounds right. The bulb flickers with the sound of the fan in the ballast turning on. But... I just tried it again and it turned on just fine and is working properly. Now I just hope it turns on with the timer everyday or else I won't know it till I wake up in the morning. The ballast is basically brand new. It has about a month onto it and was built in December. It has been off for awhile in between grows maybe it just needed to "warm up"?
Sounds like the ignitor to me as well...I am an electrician BTW. Seriously.....I had the exact problem with mine once. When the ambient temps were low...the ignitor had trouble firing the bulb. Soon as the ambient temps rose a bit....no problems. Eventually the thing WILL go out completely and it puts a lot of stress on the bulb. Best just to change it out now and be done...save yourself some headaches. Oh....as far as it being new...that matters very little in my experience. I've installed a crapload of HPS and MH lights in my time and I've seen many new fixtures right out of the box not fire....it happens.
ahhhhhh, just use your right forefinger. Don't use your LEFT one, that would give it a line through your heart. If you stick the right one in there, and your toes curl, your good. That burned filling in your mouth? bonus!!! :scream:
