600w Digital Greenhouse (HTG SUPPLY) lights not working, WTF?

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BasementGuerrilla

Member
So, I have been using the digital greenhouse 600w ballasts w/600w sunmaster hps bulbs for the last couple of grows with no operational problems. I just expanded to 4 lights and got two new systems from HTG. At first everything worked fine. Then after a couple of days there was a 5-10 min delay for the lights to illuminate. Then yesterday, they didn't come on at all. I had to plug the new bulbs/cords into the old ballasts to get light. And even then, one of the bulbs had about a 2-3 min delay. The ballast fans start right up, but the bulbs just don't light up or one/both of them is delayed 5-15min. Anyone know what is going on?

This new equipment is a little different than my last system(s). The ballasts now have a plaque on them that gives instructions to use a surge protector and to mount the fan facing up. Also, the cords are a different color and the reflectors have different stickers. All this makes me think they are buying from a different supplier and wonder if the quality has gone down.
 
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BasementGuerrilla

Member
Anyone ever experience this or know enough about digital ballasts to figure out what the problem is? HTG isn't open today so I can't call them. This has got me worried. No light is one of the worst problems you can have!
 
cackpircings

cackpircings

Well-Known Member
Yeah I just purchased two ballast system with cool tubes. One of them was missing the U portion that holds on the reflectors, and then one of the lights that came with the system went out. All in the same week of getting it. I have it working and Its not that I am unhappy. I do feel you get what you pay for. I wish I would have just puchased the better items.
 
Ronjohn7779

Ronjohn7779

Well-Known Member
Digital Green house is a so so brand of Digital ballasts. Any number of things could be wrong with your units so take that into account (I'm not ragging on DG ballasts most likely ALL ballasts are made from the same shitty chinese parts they all seem to have their fair share of problems). In any case buy your shit off of ebay. Hell on ebay you can get a Lumatek Digital Ballast (600w)+Cords+bulbs (MH and HPS)+a cool air reflector for 329 or 299 (the latter without an MH bulb) with free shipping and no tax. At least then you know your buying a semi reliable ballast. Once again even the expensive ones lack the reliability you'd expect for such an expensive item, unfortunately these suckers aren't built with a lifetimes worth of use like something made from a sony/panasonic type company.

1. You could have defective ballasts (this could be likely)
2. You plugged all your ballasts in the same plug-ins in the wall/used a power strip that has them all plugged into one spot. There is a good chance you are just drawing in too much engery than could be supplied. See how each one works by plugging them into a new strip or new wall out lets.
 
B

BasementGuerrilla

Member
Ronjohn7779 said:
Digital Green house is a so so brand of Digital ballasts. Any number of things could be wrong with your units so take that into account (I'm not ragging on DG ballasts most likely ALL ballasts are made from the same shitty chinese parts they all seem to have their fair share of problems). In any case buy your shit off of ebay. Hell on ebay you can get a Lumatek Digital Ballast (600w)+Cords+bulbs (MH and HPS)+a cool air reflector for 329 or 299 (the latter without an MH bulb) with free shipping and no tax. At least then you know your buying a semi reliable ballast. Once again even the expensive ones lack the reliability you'd expect for such an expensive item, unfortunately these suckers aren't built with a lifetimes worth of use like something made from a sony/panasonic type company.

1. You could have defective ballasts (this could be likely)
2. You plugged all your ballasts in the same plug-ins in the wall/used a power strip that has them all plugged into one spot. There is a good chance you are just drawing in too much engery than could be supplied. See how each one works by plugging them into a new strip or new wall out lets.
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I have two 600w lights per 20amp, dedicated outlet. But, I'm only using 2 of the lights currently anyway, so service is definitely not an issue. Not that it would be if all 4 lights were up and running either though. 2400w is not that much. I think it's a bad cord/socket or bad ballast. I'm going to see if they'll upgrade me to lumatek for a small additional fee maybe. Also, I really don't like these euro reflectors. Not air tight! I agree, you definitely get what you pay for!
 
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