240v CMH HELP!!!!!!

I just purchased a new 1000w CMH light, the ballast says 240v only. I went out and bought a nema 6-20 receptacle and a double pole 240 and some 14/2 wire. I ran and mounted the receptacle 6 feet away from the panel, hooked up the two hot lines on each pole on the 20 amp breaker and grounded the wire, did the same on the receptacle. Simple right??? So I thought... I plugged the new light in and nothing???? I tried a 6-15 bema plug and a double pole 15 amp breaker to and still nothing. After multiple hours and frustration, thinking the light must be faulty, I said what the heck, plug it in a regular 110 outlet with a spare power cord from a old grow light, and to my surprise it lit right up. It doesn’t seem as bright as I thought it would be though. What is going on? What am I doing wrong?? Is it wrong when it says 240 only and it just not as bright as my 1000w mh? I need some answers please help

Got a multi-meter?
Measure ~120VAC from each hot lead to ground.
Measure ~240VAC across the hot leads.

Good luck

I have one, don’t know if batteries are good, will try to dig it out and keep you posted

Are you sure its a proper square wave ballast for a CMH lamp? I wasnt aware they made a 1000w CMH ballast.
The crossover lamps dont seem to be very successful in the hi freq ballasts.

Yes it’s a square wave, it’s actually 945w. I got my multi meter out, both sides are reading 120 in the outlet. I also have 2 400w digital ballasts that say they’re 120/240 and they are by working on 240 either, doesn’t seem to be any switch or anything on them to change the voltage on them either

My 1kW CMH lights take several minutes to get started. Leave it plugged in and wait.

BiggGee1983 said:

14/2 wire. I ran and mounted the receptacle 6 feet away from the panel, hooked up the two hot lines on each pole on the 20 amp breaker

Click to expand...

14 gauge wire should NOT be used on a 20 amp breaker, you want a 15 amp.

I have tried 12/2 wire as well, the last thing I tried was 2 15 amp 120 breakers, which is still what’s hooked up, and reading 120 both sides. I tried writing the company who sold it to me but no reply yet.

It also starts instantly when plugged into 120

14 gauge wire is rated for a 15 amp circuit. Using a 20 amp breaker on 14 gauge wire won't stop the light from working but if there is a short or overload condition the 14 gauge wire can be exposed to current in excess of it's capacity and thus cause it to start a fire.

Maybe they mislabeled the ballast. as 240v. TBH most ballasts I have seen nowdays take either voltage. May I ask what brand light? Is it a cheapey?

It’s fusion bright, I bought from growlights.ca. It ran me $429 CAD. Here’s the link
https://www.rollitup.org/t/240v-cmh-help.998836/

https://www.growlights.ca/growlights/square-wave-grow-star-945w-cmh-complete-kit-double-ended-de-240v-only.html
Sorry this is the link

BiggGee1983 said:

It’s fusion bright, I bought from growlights.ca. It ran me $429 CAD. Here’s the link
https://www.rollitup.org/t/240v-cmh-help.998836/

Click to expand...

Hmm, they have it priced much higher, $429.99 CAD, any chance that it was a re-manufactured light?

Wasn’t supposed to be, I paid the 429.99 + tax came to 460 something

Well hopefully they get back to you.

are you assured you wired it for 240 and not 120?
I'm bad at electrical but each lead to ground should measure 120v. If not, it will be something you should hired a licensed electrician for if not 120v each "hot" to ground

120v can change to 110-130 sometimes and randomly higher if on a far away island type point 240 v should..... and alot of times cause problems with ac/dc inverter units for air conditioning ( my trade). I just want to mention that on both posts you should be getting a 10% reading in between at 110-130v

if you are remote or on an island this can be a problem. voltage on inverter units is a real thing!

double check anyone though.. you dont want to second guess electricity!

Also, why would my 2 400w digit ballast that say 120/240 right on them not work either?

Ya, with the multimeter I put one lead in the ground then put the other lead in each hot side at a time, each side read 120

Do you get 240 volts on your meter when you go hot to hot? If not then somehow you got both lines on the same phase.

No it reads 0