lighting worry

[ScuzZ]

The starting up sounds and colour are all fine.

 

HPS glow an orange/yellow spectrum. They are also very hot, and must be kept away from water or glass cracking will occur and the loss of gas will occur.

 

Creating a useless light.

 

Other than that, if you put your hand over the top of your plant and it feels hot, move the plants lower or your light higher.

[Guest Wilderbud]

HPS glow an orange/yellow spectrum. They are also very hot, and must be kept away from water or glass cracking will occur and the loss of gas will occur.

 

Creating a useless light.

Normal HPS hasnt got the additional blue specrum but a SonTAgro lamp does [NB. I dont know if HPS balasts support them properly]. HPS isnt useless - its what you use when flowering a plant - the light is warm and intense. Flowering without the warm spectrum is silly - cool light is for growth.

 

PS. Ill try and take 2 pictures showing the differences in lighting from one bulb when I buy/borrow it.

Edited September 7, 2003 by Wilderbud

[pipeman]

Never, ever, ever, and need I say it once more, ever keep your ballast or any other powerful electrics in the grow...  The ballast should be at the very least in a well ventilated spot on top of the grow, with plenty of air movement.  If you can move it a little bit further, the better, but not too far because you don't want connecting cords to get too long. 

 

I don't know why you suggest such things weekprik... 

 

By the way, a tip to cut down on the buzzing whilst powering up is to place the whole ballast on a section of growool, this acts as an excellent insulatory device, (that's what it's also used for incidentally) and keeps the ballast cool and quiet.

 

One more, monseuir Wilderbud, can I make a small suggestion?  Does that little fan you picked up for $15 have "Rated for continuous use" on the side?  I doubt it does for $15.  The decent extractors cost a bit for a reason. They're designed to go on for long periods, whereas those fans you refer to are designed for spurt use in bathrooms.  Be careful, and if you can afford it in the near future, upgrade. Just a tip, I may be mistaken in your case, but I have a feeling that won't be really all that suitable in the long run.

yeah maybe they are a bit dodgy, but I been running mine for almost a year continiously without a problem. Never been turned off.

 

how did I make the decision to get the cheap fans? the hydro shop ran out of the ball bearing fans rated for continious use so on the way home I picked up these cheapos from Bunnings. always intended to replace them with the real deal, but why fix something that ain't broke? anyway, they will probably blow up one day and burn my house down, so yeah, Luke's advice is basically right.

[white_cluster]

dont be scared of a bit of electricity. Most of the time it just knocks you on your arse. Sitting a ballast in a closet grow isnt a good idea but if you grow in a room you got no choice and nothing will get hurt. you'

d need crazy amounts of humidity and if it is that humid in your room you will never be able to flower plants anyways.

[Majestic]

I agree with white cluster on this, infact I would really like to see how many people have actually ran into problems with powerboards and ballasts and all the rest, has anybody personally had shit catch fire or smoke or even just short out because of humidity or just to hot or anything like that ?

[Luke Skywalker]

I will take some scary pics for ya today later on. Real ballasts and timers, really melted and blown because of stupidity.

 

Electricity and nutrient laten water and moisture IS NOT A GOOD MIX!!! And for anyone who thinks "She'll be right...", the first time you get electrical burns or a housefire should give you the tip you need, although it may be the last one you get... Why take chances? Electricity is harnessed by man to do all kinds of things, but it's a tenuous grip... don't get too cocky with electrics, they can bite back like you wouldn't believe. And we have 240v here, not pissy 110-120... This shit will kill you. Painfully.

 

Earth all wires and connections well, keep all electrical conections well insulated and sealed and away from any moisture laden air or water. Like I've said before, better to smoke your buds than your buds smoke you.

 

This is all I'll say on the subject anymore. OldManMozz has been reputed to have substantial electrical experience, maybe he can chime in and let us know his opinion on the safety of keeping ballasts and powerboards inside growspaces?

[OldmanMozz]

I will take some scary pics for ya today later on. Real ballasts and timers, really melted and blown because of stupidity.

 

Electricity and nutrient laten water and moisture IS NOT A GOOD MIX!!! And for anyone who thinks "She'll be right...", the first time you get electrical burns or a housefire should give you the tip you need, although it may be the last one you get... Why take chances?  Electricity is harnessed by man to do all kinds of things, but it's a tenuous grip... don't get too cocky with electrics, they can bite back like you wouldn't believe.  And we have 240v here, not pissy 110-120...  This shit will kill you. Painfully. 

 

Earth all wires and connections well, keep all electrical conections well insulated and sealed and away from any moisture laden air or water.  Like I've said before, better to smoke your buds than your buds smoke you.

 

This is all I'll say on the subject anymore.  OldManMozz has been reputed to have substantial electrical experience, maybe he can chime in and let us know his opinion on the safety of keeping ballasts and powerboards inside growspaces?

Yeh Luke have to agree with you all the way. Except about earthing all wires, I know what your saying but its actually the frames, light shades, cabinets etc. anything metal that needs to be earthed!

and yes Ive seen heaps of melted/blown ballasts but only in fluros, mostly due to power flucuations and hot connections, all of these you could tell something was wrong first by the smell of burnt varnish and then by light blowing up.

Electricity is just common sense to me, but you should have some basic understanding, and huge respect if your gonna mess with it.

 

cheers Mozz

 

p.s. I find that people a bit gung ho with elect. have never had a 240v elect shock.

and those that have, have learnt more respect and common sense.

 

may I suggest to Majestic an WC that they wear rubber soled shoes in grow room or while attending gro.

 

Any problems with above, or questions on electricity please pm me

[Luke Skywalker]

Thanks OldmanMozz...

 

This is a pic of some fried ballasts which my hydro shop uses to educate those who think, "she'll be right"

[Luke Skywalker]

And here's a timer which nearly set the place on fire. Only because the fire was contained in the box did the grow, and thus the house, survive. Flame was shooting out the plug holes, according to the owner.