Light wont fire when using timer

I have a 1000W hps that wont fire when using a timer. The ballast switches on and starts humming but the light doesnt. I used two different timers with no luck.

The odd thing is one day I got up to manually turn on the light and the timer worked. Now the light will come on 2/5 times when using the automatic timer. It is very inconvenient and was wondering if anyone has had a problem like this and if there is a solution.

Im using a standard on/off timer with the little red/green switches. I also tried a 15min interval timer that are used with water pumps.

I have also tried using a surge protector w/timer and timer w/surge protector combo with no luck.

can your timer handle the wattage your trying to pull through it?

most of those removable pin-type timers arent rated for much mor than a string of xmas lights or a couple 100w incandecents.

SlikWiLL13 said:

can your timer handle the wattage your trying to pull through it?

most of those removable pin-type timers arent rated for much mor than a string of xmas lights or a couple 100w incandecents.

Click to expand...

Im not sure what they can handle, but if it fires sometimes, I would think it can handle it. Im going to get a hydrofarm timer today and see if thats the problem.

there should be a sticker on the back of the timer saying what its rated for. im guessing you have a indoor lamp timer....was it $3-5? 2-prong?

if you get a hydrofarm timer youll be golden. good luck.

I have the same timer bud, there are a couple models but usually they are 10 or 15 amp. Either way it can handle your light.

As for the problem, I thought the same thing was happening to me. But, I just left it plugged in and after about 15 minutes it came on. I just needed some patience, not sure if thats your problem or not

MrJoshC said:

I have the same timer bud, there are a couple models but usually they are 10 or 15 amp. Either way it can handle your light.

As for the problem, I thought the same thing was happening to me. But, I just left it plugged in and after about 15 minutes it came on. I just needed some patience, not sure if thats your problem or not

Click to expand...

Well got a new hydrofarm digital timer and .....nothing! My other timers are all for like 1700W and 15 amps I think. So it must be the ballast I guess. Ya sometimes the light will actually fire, but then glow faintly all day, never a complete bright burn. I always have to unplug the light from the ballast and just plug it back in then it fires right up.

I just though of another thing, I had a completely different light system burn out 3 bulbs within a month or two. Maybe its the electricity? Amyone hear of a house being old and shitty and causing these kind of problems?

Muffy D said:

Well got a new hydrofarm digital timer and .....nothing! My other timers are all for like 1700W and 15 amps I think. So it must be the ballast I guess. Ya sometimes the light will actually fire, but then glow faintly all day, never a complete bright burn. I always have to unplug the light from the ballast and just plug it back in then it fires right up.

I just though of another thing, I had a completely different light system burn out 3 bulbs within a month or two. Maybe its the electricity? Amyone hear of a house being old and shitty and causing these kind of problems?

Click to expand...

Does it fire every time you plug it in directly?

I use the same timer with a 1000w it is the three prong and it has always been perfect. You might try a different outlet to see if it works right if so there might be an issue with the circuit you are using.

Mr.Freedom said:

Does it fire every time you plug it in directly?

I use the same timer with a 1000w it is the three prong and it has always been perfect. You might try a different outlet to see if it works right if so there might be an issue with the circuit you are using.

Click to expand...

if the bulb is too hot sometimes it could take up to 15 minutes to fire up complete to its full brightness and if its hot enough it may never reach full brightness unless you let it cool down

hmmmm, running out of ideas. i had a 1000w rig that i thought had a bad timer. it would run for awhile and shut itself of for a few hours and then start again. i was all ready to buy a new ballast and my shop-guy(my shop guy is fucking amazing!) gave me a new bulb to try, said he had similar problems and it was his bulb. i swapped it out, it worked like a dream, and i dropped a fatty quarter off on the hydro guy.

moral of the story here is maybe a new buld could be a cheaper fix tham a new ballast.

are you sure the bulb is 1000w ? many 600s are the same size

Mr.Freedom said:

Does it fire every time you plug it in directly?

I use the same timer with a 1000w it is the three prong and it has always been perfect. You might try a different outlet to see if it works right if so there might be an issue with the circuit you are using.

Click to expand...

Yep is fires every time. I have tried many different outlets with the same result. Maybe Ill try running an extension cord to a different room.

I was using a 600W system before I swapped for the 1000W and I never had any problem like this.

jasonm230 said:

if the bulb is too hot sometimes it could take up to 15 minutes to fire up complete to its full brightness and if its hot enough it may never reach full brightness unless you let it cool down

Click to expand...

In the rare case of the faint burn, I checked the light in the evening (several hours after the initial ON time), which tells me its been like that for 6-8 hours. Also it turns on from a 12 hour dark period so Im sure heating isnt the issue.

This is the timer I use. It handles two 600watt digital balasts at the same time on 120 volt. Works great and you can get it at home depot.

SlikWiLL13 said:

hmmmm, running out of ideas. i had a 1000w rig that i thought had a bad timer. it would run for awhile and shut itself of for a few hours and then start again. i was all ready to buy a new ballast and my shop-guy(my shop guy is fucking amazing!) gave me a new bulb to try, said he had similar problems and it was his bulb. i swapped it out, it worked like a dream, and i dropped a fatty quarter off on the hydro guy.

moral of the story here is maybe a new buld could be a cheaper fix tham a new ballast.

Click to expand...

Yes the bulb could also be the problem, but it still puzzles me that it doesnt work with the timer. The bulb is brand new and has never failed me. I aslo have a warranty on the ballast so it should cost me nothing.

Hedgehunter said:

are you sure the bulb is 1000w ? many 600s are the same size

Click to expand...

Yes of course.

Ok Im going to state the facts again:

1000W system. Brand new. Ballast+Bulb work fine.

When plugged into a timer, it doesnt fire.

Tried 3 different timers, same result.

About 2 weeks into flower, it started to fire about every other day.

A few times it would glow a faint orange until I unplugged it and replugged it in.

The question is, how does the timer affect the system to cause this? Any electricians?

Muffy D said:

Ok Im going to state the facts again:

1000W system. Brand new. Ballast+Bulb work fine.

When plugged into a timer, it doesnt fire.

Tried 3 different timers, same result.

About 2 weeks into flower, it started to fire about every other day.

A few times it would glow a faint orange until I unplugged it and replugged it in.

The question is, how does the timer affect the system to cause this? Any electricians?

Click to expand...

I have the same problem. It starts like 2/3 of the times, anyone got any ideas? When I plug it in the wall it fires like 4 out of 5 times.