Ive got a Lumatek 600w ballast and a Powerplan 600w hps light, i turn it on in the morning, it works fine for about 2 hours, and then it dies and wont work again untill the next morning. WTF is happening here. there is nothing else attached, just wallplug ballast shade then light. what could be doing this and how do i fix it.

I would ask Iam5toned that question,,,he might have an idea what's happening

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bad bulb, or bad ballast. not sure but the ballast could be over heating and shutting down.

sounds like overheating to me
run a ballast for 8 hours and then turn it off. if you try and turn it back on you cant (and REALLY shouldnt) till its cooled off again.
my suspicion is a dud ballast thats overheating (or something similar)
i really doubt its the globe, but buy a new one (cheaper than a new ballast) and try that. Once you realize the new bulb hasn't changed anything then buy (or borrow) another ballast and test that. Should fix the issue. If its not either of those than its house wiring and i am really out of my depth.

That sure sounds to me like a bad ballast. Some of the newer ballasts will not allow you to turn it back on until it has cooled down sufficiently. As part of my weekly maintenance I check my ballast to see that the outer shell is not hotter than it normally is. I would be willing to bet that after the light warms up the ballast is very hot to the touch and it is over heating and shutting down. Very seldom is the bulb the culprit in my experience. Usually a bulb will flat quit working although it's brightness tends to deteriorate a few months before it quits.

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