Light Problem?

[Ovi]

Hello everyone, if anyone could help me I'd be extremely grateful!
This is my 1st grow and I'm already having some problems, my MH will turn on then after 10-20 mins will cut back off then repeat this cycle? I thought It might have been the bulb but I replaced it and still getting the same results. I have an IPower 250 watt digital ballast with a cool tube, could one of these be the culprit?

[PigSquishy]

I would say the problem has to be in the ballast from everything I know about the way these work, I would contact the manufacturer or the store you bought it at to discuss replacing it.

[Ovi]

Thanx greenthumb thats what I was thinkin, I went the cheap Ebay route and paying the price now. There any particular brand of ballast that you would recommend that are "better" or more dependable?

[PigSquishy]

Honestly when I crunched the numbers and the math for everything for the cost of lighting, I looked at the upfront costs to buy MH & HPS, the ballasts, bulbs, cost of electricity, the special eye wear to work safely around them, and I did it for all the different types of lighting that is out there and I honestly found that MH & HPS just aren't where its at as far as cost and efficiency goes. I've seriously looked at the upgrades for CMH by just getting a new ballast and bulb adapter, double ended lights are really stacking up in saving and growth, LED's if you really spend the time and research what you are buying and get a good brand they are amazing. If I were to ever get away from Platinum LED's and went back to the ballasts again I would personally upgrade to CMH when you upgrade your ballast... From what I've read on it in other magazines and stuff it really to me just seemed like the way to go.

http://growershouse.com/ceramic-science-315w-cmh-light-conversion-kit

[Soilscience]

Absolutely. Ceramic. CMH, also known as LEC. Costs real money, but far superior. Like night and day!

[dontknownuttin]

Solis Tek has good stuff.

[StoneyTony]

I agree that it sounds light a bad ballast. iPower will get the job done. Sometimes you just get a bad part. Contact the seller or iPower to get a replacement. In-the-meantime get another light on your girls if you can.

[South Sierra Dude]

Make double she the power cords are seated and the circuit is rated for the wattage.

[PigSquishy]

Yeah very good point, yeah I just automatically "assumed" that you have double checked EVERYTHING.. That you are using the right bulb size, the right bulb type, you are plugged into a stable electrical load outlet, sometimes the problem can be in the electrical of the place.

[cyberaktif]

Galaxy legacy ballasts are pretty good and reasonable price. Some ballasts only fire MH bulbs and vise versa with HPS. Make sure your ballast is right for the bulb your firing up.

[Potted]

Ballast sounds like the culprit to me keep the lights them as much as poss. Till u fix it lol

[Ovi]

Thanx everyone I appreciate all the info!!!!
Yes I've triple checked everything made sure I didn't make a dumb ass mistake and I'm sure it's the ballast now cause it won't turn the light on at all. Thanx Greenthumb I've looked into the CHM which looks frickin amazing just a little costly for me at the moment (definitely gonna upgrade once I can!). I was looking into purchasing a 300w Galaxy hydro LED instead of a replacement ballast would that be a wise decision? I'm growing in an unfinished basement with a 3×3×6 tent, cool tube and the 250w MH/HPS bulbs. Thanx again for all the input!!!

[StoneyTony]

Try looking at the Maxsisun as well. They have GREAT features and priced good too. When I was looking for LED's I got some good recommendations from this forum and they have 5-star reviews on Amazon.