ballest electrical question?

The timer I have works. It goes on but the ballest does not, it turns it off properly but not turn back on.

Evrey morning I have to plug the ballest in and out of differnt plugs until I see the light flicker on. Its like there isnt a strong enough electrical current to power the ballest on, anyone have any reason to wh this is happening

Sandman3749 said:

The timer I have works. It goes on but the ballest does not, it turns it off properly but not turn back on.

Evrey morning I have to plug the ballest in and out of differnt plugs until I see the light flicker on. Its like there isnt a strong enough electrical current to power the ballest on, anyone have any reason to wh this is happening

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How many watts is the light, and how many amps/watts is the timer rated for?

600w timer for 1250

its weird becasue it works some of the time but not lately at all

600w light with a 1250w timer?? How many AMPs is the timer rated for?

I would strongly suggest just going and buying a 15 amp timer, usually they will be 15a 1875w. Thats the max you want to go for a standard breaker.

OK, next question, Is the light the only thing on that breaker? Is it possible that sometimes when its trying to come on there are other things running on that circuit?

Most people will say if your running a 1000w you shouldn't run ANYTHING else on that breaker, well personally I think the same should be true for a 600w as well. HID lights, especially HPS require a HUGE start up spike. If the power isnt there then the bulb isnt going to fire, or it will kinda fire wierd and burn really dark.

I would map out your breaker. Get a lamp or an alarm clock, something to check for power, then flip off a breaker and go check the sockets, find an independent socket/breaker for your light.

the timer is rated gfor 15amps, to find the independent socket I have to turn off the breaker and, plug thigns in till i find one?? thanks

Sandman3749 said:

the timer is rated gfor 15amps, to find the independent socket I have to turn off the breaker and, plug thigns in till i find one?? thanks

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Thats the only real way to find what sockets are on each breaker, to turn them off for the room and check each socket. Usually all the ceiling lights and a couple sockets will be on one breaker, then another breaker will be for the rest of the sockets.

Find an independent one for your light, That should help, if not, get a new timer.