HELP! HPS Hot Start

[OzBud]

I just had the power go out in my whole street (possibly a wider area) for about 30 seconds or so, I went straight down to the tent and I came across the HPS light flickering. I quickly unplugged the ballast.

I've had a bit of a quick look and believe the cause was the HPS trying to restart when hot. I let it cool down and it started again no worries.

I couldn't find any good detailed information and I have a couple of questions.

Does this damage the bulb or ballast in any way?
Is there some sort of device I can buy that will restore power to the light after 10-15 minutes of the power returning? I know there's ones that you can manually reset before a device will start again after losing power, was just wondering if there's timed ones.
Without a device like mentioned in previous question, if the power came back and nobody was home would the bulb pulse until cooled and then start itself again?

[dontknownuttin]

My Ballast (Solis Tek) Will not start, or even attempt to start a hot bulb. It will however re check every 10 min. and when the bulb is cool enough it restarts. Battery back up air pump turns on automatically when power is disrupted. It can provide up to 4 hours the O2 my plant needs. QUALITY EQUIPMENT= NO STRESS!. Power outages here rarely last longer then 20 min. (or so).

[OzBud]

Your digital ballast probably has in built hot start prevention. I have a magnetic ballast, I think I forgot to mention that.

Also forgot to mention I'm on 230V in my country

[dontknownuttin]

magnetic ballast that's out of my league! here voltage is 110

[POKEDSMOT]

Hot starts can damage the element, capacitors, and transformer. If you have a decent amount of electrical knowledge you could add a "delay on break" relay. In my area we have frequent power outages every A/C and refrigeration unit I work on I put one of these on.

[Insight]

Hot starts can damage the element, capacitors, and transformer. If you have a decent amount of electrical knowledge you could add a "delay on break" relay. In my area we have frequent power outages every A/C and refrigeration unit I work on I put one of these on.

What is the cost of that unit..Thanks.

[OzBud]

Hot starts can damage the element, capacitors, and transformer. If you have a decent amount of electrical knowledge you could add a "delay on break" relay. In my area we have frequent power outages every A/C and refrigeration unit I work on I put one of these on.

I've had a look around and this is the sort of thing I'm after. http://www.titancontrols.net/shop/by...ng-delay-timer

Those things are all over the place online, sadly I need a 230-240V 50Hz one and can I find one? Nope. I'll keep looking but may have to get something like you posted. I have a bit of electrical knowledge, not a lot. There's an electrician two houses down the road that I did some work experience with, might be able to get some assistance in exchange for some beer.

[dontknownuttin]

Would it not be easier just to replace the ballast with a electronic one?

[OzBud]

I've thought about it before, looked at some Lumatek ballasts but not completely sold on digital yet.
Better output but more things to potentially go wrong in an electronic ballast. I suppose though, since I already have a magnetic one I do have a backup. Lumatek do have a 3 year warranty too.

Hmm more things to think about.

[dontknownuttin]

My Ballast is made by Solis Tek (3 year warrantee.) A real work horse no RF trouble (My router sits only 6 inches from the Ballest.) 24/7 operation 3 grows now. Mine at least seems to be a fine unit. Cheaper then most? NO I think it was south of $200.00. The cost is little for the peace of mind it provides. I considered Magnetic but decided on Electronic due to weight of Magnetic model, along with Heat problems and noise I understand the Magnetic tends to make noise when the unit gets older. I also understand where the noise comes from and that it can be repaired (The Electronic one can not be repaired only replaced.) I however am too disabled for any equipment self repair.

[KingSimon]

When it cools down it will come back on. Never had a problem turning lights back on after being off for a short period of time. Happens all the time working on parking lot lights... They're magnetic too.

[KingSimon]

The other day I accidentally unplugged my ballast from the bulb side. Plugged it back in and blew my bulb. This is an electronic ballast. Having said that, I still rather have my electronic after using it for awhile. That bulb had also been used on 250 and 400 ... It's a 600. The power side is different though. There is definitely a protection in electronic. I'm using vivosun. Everything including ropes to hang included hood and extra bulbs 150$. Anyway if the power goes off you're fine. If the bulb comes unplugged WAIT! and turn the power off for a minute till the bulb is plugged back in... Plus you can run a 250,400,600 bulb off the same ballast.

[OzBud]

interesting to know. Thanks for coming back to this old thread!

I know some bulb manufacturers say not to dim their bulb as it's designed to work at a specific wattage and lowering the power input can change light spectrum as well
as intensity.
and some ballast manufacturers say to use the same wattage bulb as the setting you're using on the electronic ballast.

I have a Lumatek Pro 400V (yes volt) 600W ballast now with 400W, 400W Super Lumen, 600W & 600W SL settings and even though it's dimmable it can only be used with a 600W lamp and dimmed down if you want to use the 400W setting which means I if I want to dim it I also have to find a lamp that is designed to be dimmable.

[NebulaHaze]

Agreed! Thanks for sharing your experience!

[dontknownuttin]

I got a 400 watt bulb and will run it on the 400 watt setting on my 600watt ballast.