Growing Tip:
When do I change my ballast components?
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Grower Added: Blueberry Hills Last Update by: Blueberry Hills Viewed: 408
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Cannabis Fact Contributed by: Moshmont
Cannabis Tip Submitted: 01-12-2009
Assuming your ballast is hooked up right and is
relatively new, the capacitor (cap) and socket
are about the only things that will give you
problems. They last about 5 - 10 years on avg.
Igniters (ign) on the other hand (if equipped)
last much longer, at about 15 - 20 years. The
transformer (tran) part of the ballast will
last even longer, assuming it does not have
deteriorated leads or mechanical damage.
All Ҭife expectanciesҠare shortened buy about
30%, if the ambient temp surrounding the
ballast is much higher than 110у (230ц). All
the more reason to give your ballast good
venting. (This doesnӴ apply to the socket
obviously)
Besides the changing of bulbs every 8 to 12
months, you need to check out following:
Checking the ballast
Polarization (ballast)
Make sure the white / black wires are where
they are supposed be. Black wire to LOAD /
White wire to COM power source If reversed,
the ign (if equipped) may not work and the cap
might wear out faster than it\'s supposed too,
same thing for the bulb.
Polarization (socket)
The black lead should go to the ԴabԠin the
center of the socket and the white lead to the
threaded metal. If reversed the bulb may not
work or wear out faster than it\'s supposed
to.
Leads (cap, ign, tran and socket)
Make sure they are not loose or deteriorated.
Give them a little pull as well as bend them
(in the middle) at an 180 degree angel. If they
feel like they are about to come loose or show
cracks in the insulation, replace the
component. If the lead is cracked (pic#1),
shrink wrap the lead as a temporary fix till
you can get a new component. Check that the
socket is not cracked and make sure the
fiberglass insulation is not torn up or
unraveled (pic#2). If the tab looks burnt up or
discolored (pic#3) replace the whole
socket.
(Another thing about the socket. You know those
little cardboard-like washers you get with the
mogul and some medium sockets...? They are
there for slack so when the socket heats up and
expands, the rim of the screw holes dont chip
off. That way you can mount it nice and secure
without problems.)
Cap's with leads
If the wires are off center, one wire is closer
to the rim of the top of the cap. The wire
closest to the rim of the cap should go to the
long side of the transformer and the wire
farthest from the rim should go to the short
side. If the wires are not off center than any
way is fine. I\'m sure it will run fine ehter
way, but the cap may wear out faster.
Note: If at any point you notice the cap looks
bulged-out, replace it ASAP.
Testing the capacitor (cap)
Things you will need: A screw driver and
multiple tester.
Step one: Disconnect the cap from the
transformer and discharge it
If your light was just running, wait 10 or 15
minutes. Disconnect it, then touch the leads to
the metal part of the cap 2\" apart. If it does
not have a metal case do so on a peace of bear
metal. If you have the kind that looks like a
9V battery touch both terminals (at the same
time) to a screw driver or a piece of bare
metal.
Step two: Find out the UF of the cap
(pic#4)
It should be printed somewhere on it.
Step three: Set the ohms / multiple tester
to the ԆԠor ԕFԠfunction for ohms
(pic#5)
Touch one probe to each terminal / lead and
note the number. It should be with in 10% of
what is printed on the cap.
Note: You have to keep the probes on it for a
little while to get a reading.
To get percent you take the number, times point
the percent you wish to know Exp: 100 x .10 =
10 (this is your ten percent of the number.)The
percent added or subtracted from the number =
the number at + / - the percent. If it is over
/ under 10% of what printed on the cap failure
is soon to follow. If you get an ԏLԍ
(infinity) or close to ӰԠreading; reverse the
+ / - probes and try again. If you get the same
thing your cap has dungped out.
If you suspect the ign, get a new one and try
it out (you can always return it if itӳ
doesnӴ look like itӳ been used). HID
capacitors and igniters can usually be bought
at retail electrical supply stores for around
$5 to $15 each (US).
A note about Ңuzzy ballasts:
The sound is probably the transformer plates
shaking apart. The outer parts of them are only
held together with that coating, over time the
lacquer coating breaks apart and the plates get
loose. When the transformer heats up, that
stuff gets soft and the plates can move around
better.
Solution:
get a new transformer
What I have done before is drill out the
holes in the transformer and run some small
bolts though it. That usually quiets them down.
Last cannabis grow log changed: 13:58 - May 29,
2010
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