What do I do now

[dopedogg]

Hey all !

I began to germinate my seeds about a week ago with the plan of growing them under my 400 watt HPS lamp for about a month and then popping them out towards the end of September ...

 

Today I went to use the lamp Which hasn't been in action for about a year, all was well for about 3 minutes when the power outlet (ballast?) started sparking and quickly caught fire . Scared the shit out of me but lucky I was still in the room to put it out !

 

Now I'm stuck with all my baby's and unsure of where to go from here . I have another one of the power box things but am a bit paranoid of the same thing happening again , would it be safe to try ?

 

Otherwise I was wondering if I could put them out into a small greenhouse or is it still too cold ? I'm in vic , warmest august in a long time but it still cools down at night .

So I guess my options are

- risk it with the other lamp outlet

- greenhouse it up

- I can use cfls?

 

Hope this makes sence , I had a joint to recover haha thanks for your help guys

[sargentscraps]

ha jeez that is hectic. I like to think those ballasts wont just self ignite like that, obviously they can If I was you mate just go to bunnings and buy a couple of desk lamps and some cheap cfl's (20w or whatever) and bang them under that and they will be right as rain for a month. Wont cost too much either and definitely worth it in the long run if it means getting a few started for the season.

Best of Luck

Scraps

[dopedogg]

Thanks scraps I was just on my way to bunnings to do exactly that haha

Yeah I've never had a problem with the lights , but this was full on ! Fine one second then literally in flames the next !

Phew well I'm back on track now thanks for the advice bro =)

[brick]

probably full of dust dd. dust + a bit of moisture and you get tracking across the terminals/connections inside the ballast. if you are up to it take the cover off the other ballast and give it a good blow job (no not that sort of blow job) with a compressor if you can get hold of one or just clean it with a dry cloth.

[Naycha]

probably full of dust dd. dust + a bit of moisture and you get tracking across the terminals/connections inside the ballast. if you are up to it take the cover off the other ballast and give it a good blow job (no not that sort of blow job) with a compressor if you can get hold of one or just clean it with a dry cloth.

 

Lmao brick, good advice though

 

Glad you ok dd

[dopedogg]

Haha cheers brick , I'll give it a good blowing !

It was pretty sad after spending so much on lights for it to just blow up , not to mention the new pair of underwear I'll need now haha

Cheers naycha!

Take it easy guys

[Grasslips]

I have grown weed in Denmark, in and outdoors, depending on your strain, you'll be ok as long as your plants don't get frost....

Because of short summers where I come from, we plant out after last frost, normally May and harvest around October.

[Auntynorm]

G'day DD.

 

Well that's one way to start the day, a bit full on but it will surely get your attention. You say you have another ballast, maybe find a sparky to test it, to be on the safe side. 240v ac takes no prisoners. I glad you and your family are safe, and that is the main thing. I'm also in Vic, and have 6 x 6 week old babies in a green house, while I get my new room finished, and they are fine. :guitar:

Edited August 29, 2011 by Auntynorm

[dopedogg]

Thanks guys ,

I actually tried the other ballast this morning norm (after taking it apart and cleaning) and the same thing happened !

This time I took precautions to make sure nothing went wrong though

I went out yesterday and got a few clfs for now , the highest I could get was 28 watts I think (6700k or something)

I think I'll just let them grow for the next few weeks under them and let them out on sunny days

When are yours heading out norm ?

[Uncle Chop Chop]

Might be worth getting your wiring checked then if you blew 2 ballasts sounds like something is wrong with wiring to the power point or something. I am not a sparky but if you have 2 ballasts catch on fire what are the chances that you have 2 dodgy ballasts. Can never be too safe. Is it an old house? If there is something wrong with wiring it won't only be your ballast catching on fire but your house. Be safe

 

Cheers Chops

Edited August 30, 2011 by Chops!