How hot is normal for an HPS ballast?

[Rasterman]

I have this ballast:

(erased serial number). I just bought a new light, a 1000 watt Hortilux Super HPS bulb today and put it in. After it ran all afternoon I was moving things around and put my hand on it and burned my finger on the transformer end. It was hot enough to create a blister.

Is that normal? I have it set on HPS, so it seems to be set up correctly.

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

I have this ballast:
View attachment 1422341
(erased serial number). I just bought a new light, a 1000 watt Hortilux Super HPS bulb today and put it in. After it ran all afternoon I was moving things around and put my hand on it and burned my finger on the transformer end. It was hot enough to create a blister.

Is that normal? I have it set on HPS, so it seems to be set up correctly.

That sounds like a fire hazard - someting wong!

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

I do not think that ballast is compatible.

 

[Rasterman]

So I switched it to the MH setting, which uses about 10% less amperage and no more heat problem.

 

[DSC]

So I switched it to the MH setting, which uses about 10% less amperage and no more heat problem.

Those old ballasts get hot. I keep mine in a metal garbage can that's vented but has metal screen over the vents. They start a lot of fires. Please be safe. I don't even trust the digital hps ballasts. I've seen one breathe fire 4 foot when a capacitor blew. Main thing is keep them free of combustible material. Once they get through enough heat cycles the varnish dries out and they short and pop. Occasionally.

 

[Rasterman]

I'll be careful. That's some scary stuff.

 

[DeeDoubleYou]

This makes me want to switch to LED. I’m running a brand new ballast from HTG supply, I keep it on the basement window shelf just in case

 

[Rasterman]

I'm getting really good results with a combination of HPS and LED but keeping these ballast cool is a concern of course.

 

[DeeDoubleYou]

I'm getting really good results with a combination of HPS and LED but keeping these ballast cool is a concern of course.

I tried throwing my LED board(180w) next to my 400w HPS for a couple days. Made my tent soar to 85F. I’m interested to try it again but I’m gonna need to get AC eventually. I’ll try again when I can cool it, three fans on high couldn’t.

 

[Rasterman]

I had to install a sensor and fan. But for a couple of weeks I was running the HPS one hour on and one hour off. The plants were still doing well and the room wasn't getting as hot.