Ballast pic and problems

PsychoDrogue · 12-07-07, 22:22

Here is a pic of a 600 watt hps ballast. i dont know who makes it. i was told it was cheap though. The area inside the orange box is where the problem appears to lie...

I plugged it in today to remind myself of why it didn't work (it's been a while). After a moment I could hear things warming up. I had the cover off as in the pic so nothing was muffling anything. After a moment I could smell a slight burn. I leaned down to try and locate exactly where any noise was coming from and bam!. A nice blue white spark popped off the back of the board that those yellow and black things are on (spark was in the orange box) It was rather loud. I unplugged it right away. After power was removed i saw a residual small spark kinda fade off like a flame burning itself out.

What are those pieces responsible for? Are they easily replaceable? and is it worth it with how cheap this ballast appears to be. is it likely one of those pieces that failed or something else that is causing it all.

btw, at no point does the light ever power on when its plugged in. The entire time from plug in to pop is probably 2 minutes max. maybe 1 minute.

BlacHaze · 12-07-07, 23:33

The pops keep making more damage to the power supply. You can also see the blown resistors to the left of your orange box. Try to see if there is any short like a bare wire touching something. Or maybe it just went bad. Try to remove the power supply and look for replacement. It may be similar to other 600w ballasts and available. There are also companies that do board repair. I don't know how old it is, but I would just throw it out. Keep any good parts. From what I hear, you can find complete 400w systems for under $100.

And if you replace it, make sure your electrical is ok first!

alounacara · 12-07-07, 23:43

Board repair would cost as much as a new one
Trash it and be safe

norcal21 · 12-07-07, 23:46

Quote:

but I would just throw it out.

i agree looks in pretty bad shape.
would probably cost you more for a repier than a new one you canfind one on ebay for a fair price i would say.

good luck
norcal21

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12-07-07, 22:22	#1 (permalink)
PsychoDrogue Mycotopiate Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,021	Ballast pic and problems Here is a pic of a 600 watt hps ballast. i dont know who makes it. i was told it was cheap though. The area inside the orange box is where the problem appears to lie... I plugged it in today to remind myself of why it didn't work (it's been a while). After a moment I could hear things warming up. I had the cover off as in the pic so nothing was muffling anything. After a moment I could smell a slight burn. I leaned down to try and locate exactly where any noise was coming from and bam!. A nice blue white spark popped off the back of the board that those yellow and black things are on (spark was in the orange box) It was rather loud. I unplugged it right away. After power was removed i saw a residual small spark kinda fade off like a flame burning itself out. What are those pieces responsible for? Are they easily replaceable? and is it worth it with how cheap this ballast appears to be. is it likely one of those pieces that failed or something else that is causing it all. btw, at no point does the light ever power on when its plugged in. The entire time from plug in to pop is probably 2 minutes max. maybe 1 minute. Attached Thumbnails

12-07-07, 23:43	#3 (permalink)
alounacara Picktish Texas Style.... Join Date: Jan 1972 Posts: 1,667	Board repair would cost as much as a new one Trash it and be safe __________________ Dont take a tone with me * So hard to please WDYWFM?

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12-07-07, 23:33	#2 (permalink)
BlacHaze Mycotopiate Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 294	The pops keep making more damage to the power supply. You can also see the blown resistors to the left of your orange box. Try to see if there is any short like a bare wire touching something. Or maybe it just went bad. Try to remove the power supply and look for replacement. It may be similar to other 600w ballasts and available. There are also companies that do board repair. I don't know how old it is, but I would just throw it out. Keep any good parts. From what I hear, you can find complete 400w systems for under $100. And if you replace it, make sure your electrical is ok first!