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Growing under Lights

HPS light problems

18 years ago

I recently bought a 70 watt hps security light for growing and I connected it to an extension cord. The light will turn on once it is connected but after about a minute or so the light turns off... eventually it turns back on within about 20 seconds. Im not sure if the light is just heating up or if there is something wrong with the ballast/bulb/extension cord. if anyone has experienced a problem like this i would greatly appreciate the help.

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Comments (5)

orchidsnyc
18 years ago
Does it have a light sensor maybe that is somehow being triggered, or not? At such a low wattage, the cord gauge shouldn't really matter, within reason, as long as the connections are tight. Even a very thin 18gauge cord would be enough, though I doubt I'd personally use something that thin.

I've never used a low wattage HPS but my 400W doesn't turn on/off/on like that - it starts low and builds up to full brightness, but never appears to go off once the power is on.

Lastly make sure the bulb is firmly seated in the socket, but don't tighten it too tight - you should be able to remove it easily.
lightmaster
18 years ago
Sounds like a sensor problem...when you start up a HPS or MH they start up dim and discolored and they slowly get brighter. I am thinking that when it gets to a certain brightness a reflection triggers the sensor to shut the light off. As soon as it turns off it turn right back on...but the bulbs cannot restrike when hot because the gases only ignite at a certain temperature. Once it cools off enough it restarts and gets to brightness and so on...

Put something dark over the sensor and see if that remedys the problem...

~J~
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miko253_netzero_net
12 years ago
No, It the light bulb. Need to replace with a new one. Bad lamp will cause this problem.
TheMasterGardener1
12 years ago
^Yes. Replace it with a grow light. I purchased a 150w hps for $110 and I grow one large cherry tomatoes under it.
nygardener
12 years ago
Make sure the bulb is the right type and wattage for your ballast.

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